Decorating a Finished Basement with a Southwestern Theme

When you think of the Southwest of the US, what first comes to mind? It is likely that you think of hot dry weather, the magnificent Grand Canyon, and spicy Tex-Mex food. Like every other region in the United States, the Southwest region has a truly unique flavor that distinguishes it from the other regions of the country.

No matter where you live, you can bring the warmth and color of the Southwest to your finished basement, taking it from dark and lifeless to vivid and exciting. By using a variety of design strategies you can create a Southwestern theme as hot as the Arizona sun.

Keep it Light and Open

The Southwest is renowned for its wide open spaces. Therefore, when creating a Southwestern theme, you should strive to create an aura of spaciousness. Window treatments that are light in color and fabric weight will allow more light to enter the room, keeping the atmosphere bright and light.

Just as light-colored window treatments can help to open up the room, using light colors throughout the room will make the basement appear more spacious. This is especially effective if you use similar colors for walls, flooring, window treatments and furniture. The continuous flow of one color makes the space seem deeper and further away. Setting a neutral backdrop lets you accent with vibrant Southwestern colors. Decorative metal wall vases, toss pillows, lamps, metal wall art or canvas art in hot shades of turquoise, coral, sunshine yellow and red will pop against a calm background color such as sand or pale yellow.

Reflect light throughout the basement space with a wall mirror framed in tiles or images reminiscent of the Southwest. Place a mirror directly across from a basement window, allowing the light to reflect off the mirror and add light and brightness throughout the room.

Native Inspired Furniture and Accessories

Keep comfort in mind when choosing furniture. Plush saddle brown leather sectional couches will encourage informal gatherings. Add bright throw pillows and floor cushions with Southwestern graphic designs. Rugged log furniture with Southwestern styled upholstery is another option. Add area rugs in traditional Native American striped motifs and Navaho blankets to keep the space cozy and warm.

When creating a Southwestern theme for your basement, a wide variety of accessories are available. Use pillow covers with attractive Native American designs, choose authentic Southwestern-inspired pottery and add canvas wall art depicting desert or canyon scenes. Create a gallery with quality framed prints of famous painters of the Southwest, including Ettore DeGrazia, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Robert Rauschenberg. Or go in a more whimsical direction with metal wall art in cowboy themes or desert cacti and lizards.

Even table lamps can contribute to the fun. Choose from pottery or ceramic in hot Southwestern hues or try quirky lamps shaped like chili peppers or topped with cowboy hat shades. Add a little retro cowboy attitude with vintage western-inspired fabrics that can be turned into pillows, window treatments or framed and hung on the wall.

All text copyright Shanel. Photo from Flikr - "Western Interiors & Design, April/May 2008" courtesy of Tammy Manet.