Think New Mexico meets Arizona. Southwest is a very distinct way of design. Heavy wood furniture pieces and Mexican fabrics is a great place to start when portraying a Southwest feel to any space. It will be a casually, elegant space that draws inspiration from Nature. Your colors and textures will be inspired by the desert and have soft lines and bright accent colors.

Colors - When you choose colors for this design they will be neutral colors inspired by nature and desert, however bringing in bright playful accent pieces will add the relaxed Southwest feel. Rich terra cotta, rust, sand colors, and rich mahogany browns would be a perfect choice for your wall color. Adding a bright red or deep Azul blue couch or end table will give a pop of color that is inspired by Mexican and Native American culture.

Textures - Textures found in this style also replicate nature. Woven grasses, clay tiles, and wooden furniture would be great choices to emphasize this design style. Wicker, rattan, or basket woven chair seats or rugs would fit in perfectly with a Southwestern theme. You will generally find loosely woven wool, cotton, or a linen blend for your linens, upholstery, and rugs.

Accessories - Accessories for this style of design should be fun and made from natural materials. Again you can use grass woven accessories, which you can find anything from a flower vase to a picture frame. Try planting a cactus in a clay pot to bring a natural element into your space. Anything cowboy will fit in perfectly as well. Wagon wheels, old cowboy boots, or anything made from distressed leather will also work very well. Add a wrought-iron table lamp and it will feel like you just stepped off an old western movie set.

Furniture - Most of the furniture found in this Southwestern space will be made of wood. Pine wood is the best choice for this style of design. Adding a piece of furniture made of pine wood can be anything from a plain, plank table to intricately carved chair backs or headboards. Large heavy pieces are most popular with design, and because you are going to be using larger pieces you will only need to add a couple pieces. A large, hand carved headboard would look beautiful in any Southwest inspired space; add an Azul blue bedside table to complete your look.

Southwest style is definitely a relaxed, inviting way of design. Think of life in a desert and you are on your way!