A Southwest Room Your Family Will Love This Winter

It seems like we always have lots of energy as we begin our holiday decorating, only to feel exhausted before the final decorations are put in place. New Years follows soon after. Many of us feel our winter decorating job is finished, once the champagne flutes are washed and stored and the party supplies packed away.

After the new year begins, we begin waiting for spring and normally our decorating tapers off. Some people tend to forget that Christmas and New Years are only the beginning of an incredible season called winter. There are still many long weeks that lie ahead from January through March. Even though decorating for Christmas is a wonderful experience, after the new year begins, its natural that we sometimes feel almost deflated as our homes are stripped of the tinsel and bling. But what about the weeks that remain until spring has arrived? Why not let your home be a showcase each and every season of the year with southwest decorating.

For many, any decorating that is associated with the winter season is simply classified as Christmas decorating or holiday decor. Many times, the simple joys and beauties that the winter season bestows upon us are overlooked. For some, the three months that comprise the winter season, are dreaded and long. No matter what the season and especially during winter, it is especially nice to decorate our homes in such a warm, beautiful and comforting way.

Sometimes, the cold stark colors of winter can give us a blah feeling. Be sure to decorate your home in cheerful southwest colors to remedy this problem. A sure way to bring comfort to our lives is by surrounding ourselves with the things we love. Winter is a perfect time of year to add these special southwestern touches to our homes, which will ensure a warm and inviting welcome to both family and friends. Be sure to welcome your family and friends with a lovely grapevine wreath adorned with red chili peppers and a colorful bow.

During winter, when things tend to look stark and bleak outside, adding plant life indoors in brightly colored pots, adds a rejuvenating environment. Not only does greenery play a special role in our well being, animal life too, can add a soothing calm as well. One such animal displayed in many southwest homes and cabins is the bear. To create a rustic type of southwestern charm, you may wish to incorporate the bear as a home decorating theme. Bears make charming accent pieces and can be found in throws, bedding, curtains and rugs. Big and little carved, ceramic and fabric bears are all welcome additions. Add paintings to your walls of lovely outdoor scenes such as the woods or mountains. Accent pillows covered in woven wool pillow covers add to the woodsy southwestern feel as well. Scatter earth tone wool rugs and runners around your room. They make great companions to the bear theme. By making your area cozy and warm, you'll get the undeniable feeling of wanting to hibernating the winter months away in a relaxing, beautiful southwestern environment, along with our sleepy bear friends.

If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in your home, you probably already realize what an important role it plays. The main focal point of the room is usually the fireplace. Bring warmth and tranquility to the area by having a cozy and calming fire. For many, winter is finally official when a fire may be lit in the fireplace. The room is warmed by the fire as we watch the colorful flickering of the flames. Our spirits are calmed and our minds soothed. Southwestern romance is created by the use of a fireplace during the winter months. Cozy blankets and puffy pillows could be stored in a large basket nearby for the purpose of lying in front of the fire on a cold evening. For a southwest feeling, remember to decorate your mantle and hearth in a southwest theme. You could decide to display a collection of favorite Mexican pottery pieces on the mantle and Native American baskets around the hearth. Consider using various wrought iron branding irons on the wall above mantle. They will look stunning and be great conversation pieces. Always be sure to use a fireplace screen in front of your fireplace for safety factors.

Candles can be an important accessory in your southwest decor. Candles in the room will add warmth to the area. A candle will cast elegant shadows throughout the room. Your southwestern room will be enhanced by the use of candles placed in rustic barn wood candle holders. If there is a certain scent you like, try using candles in that scent each winter so it will be a reminder of the happiness the winter season brings. Candles add cheerfulness to the rooms they touch. Keep many on hand to beautify your home and also to use in case of a winter power outage. Throws become an important accent piece for your room. They may be used in your southwest winter decorating to add layers of warmth and comfort. Use them over the backs of your sofa and chairs, ready and accessible to ward off the coolness of winter. For a happy and contented home, make it a comfortable place to be.

Winter is such an inspiring time and should not end just because Christmas is over. By using rustic style decorating that winter can readily appreciate, you'll be bringing a feeling of southwestern hospitality. Its an exciting time as we look toward the winter months. We should be sure to create an environment in our home that is compelling and friendly by decorating in a southwest theme; a home that makes friends and family feel right at home.


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Craig Chambers is the founder of Mission Del Rey Southwest, offering unique hand crafted southwest decor and money saving rustic decorating tips. Find out more on his website and get his popular free ebook.
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