If you are a fan of rustic furnishings, bold colours, and a hint of Native American influence, then the Mexican school of design could well be for you. Mexican interior design is rustic yet vibrant, vivid and over the top, yet at the same time quaint and traditional. If you are looking for interior design with a difference, a Mexican theme is a great starting point.

Colours and Textures

Mexican interior designs are bright and bold and rely on strong colours as well as a lot of texture. Add pottery and ornate furniture, and use straight lines and bold prints. Mexican culture is vibrant and energetic, and the reds, earthy tones, yellows and other bright colours used in Mexican design reflect this.

The History of Mexican Interior Design

Mexican interior design pulls influences from several places. There are some clear Native American influences, but there are also elements taken from Spanish missionaries and conquistadors. The designs and tastes brought over by the people who colonized the area of the Americas that is now Mexico merged with the Aztecs and Mayans and the other smaller native tribes to create some incredibly rich and vibrant décor.

Authentic Mexican Interior Designs

One of the best ways to get Mexican furniture from your home is to import it or order it online from one of the many stores that specialise in furnishings and accessories. Some of the best and most famous brands include La Fuente Imports, Southwest and Beyond, and Tres Amigos Furniture and Accessories.

If you cannot afford to import furniture from Mexico, you can achieve a similar look using locally sourced rustic pottery, earthy paints, colourful throws, and wooden or tiled flooring. Mexican interior design takes inspiration from many cultures, so this means that you have a lot of leeway to mix and match with your designs while still getting a great look.

Tips to Get the Look

If you want a truly authentic Mexican look for your home, you will need to work on your interior design from the ground up:

• Mexicans love natural, hard flooring – limestone is a good choice, as are bold ceramic tiles. Don’t use just one colour or pattern – mix and match and use different designs for the skirting board, stairs, fireplace, and other areas.
• Opt for rustic, simple furniture and interior doors for the majority of the room, and add one or two more ornate, eye-catching items as a centre piece. If you want a super-authentic look, paint your furniture in bold colours. Before you start painting, add a little wax on the edges or corners of the piece to be painted, then sand the waxed areas after painting to get a nice distressed look.
• Use chunky pieces of dark iron hardware such as brackets and hinges to add to the rustic look.
• Use wooden or wrought iron lighting for a truly rustic feel.
• Accessorize with pewter tableware and brightly coloured jugs and dishes.
• Make liberal use of woven blankets and throws to add more colour and texture to the room.
• Invest in authentic Mexican pottery or hand-made folk art for an affordable way to round out the look.
• If you want to add plants to the room, choose a cactus – the ultimate low-maintenance, but ultra-authentic decorative accessory.

The Mexican look is fresh, exciting, and easy to replicate. Depending on your tastes and preferences you can choose for a completely rounded Mexican look or lean more heavily towards the Native American or the Spanish inspirations. Because so much of the theme is in the accessories, it is easy to change the look on a whim, so you will never get bored with your new interior design

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