Southwestern design is making a comeback. In fact, Modern Southwest interior design is one of the trendy styles of the moment. Southwestern kitchens have unique designs that are both distinctive and impressive.
The Southwestern kitchen design is inviting because it is warm and comfortable. It also blends traditional and contemporary design.
What is Southwestern Kitchen Design?
Native Spanish and Indian cultures influence southwestern kitchens. It mixes the culture of American and Spanish tradition, which is the heritage of native Arizona, Mexico, and Spain, and centers around their natural living environments.
Since the Southwest’s geography includes dry deserts, green valleys, and high plateaus, its design is earthy and refined with artistic accents.
Two historic design movements are part of Southwestern design: the Pueblo Revival and the Spanish Mission/Colonial. The Pueblo Revival architecture is inspired by the multifamily dwellings of the Pueblo Native Americans.
Exposed timbers, adobe or stucco walls, and brick or flagstone floors characterize it. Spanish Mission is similar but features red tile roofs, ornamental ironwork, and colorful tiles.
Current Southwest kitchen designs blend historic elements with contemporary elements. Erica Islas, principal designer of EMI Interior Design in California, states, “I always like to mix the old and the new. The ‘ancient plus modern’ combination tends to work really well.”
Modern Southwest design incorporates traditional architecture with modern design, like brightly colored stucco finished with squared corners. It mixes mid-century and rustic elements with colors reminiscent of the desert Southwest. This design emphasizes desert and Southwestern motifs.
Characteristics of Southwestern Kitchen Design
Southwestern kitchens have a casual, easy-going décor with natural materials and a natural color palette. The effect is elegant and stylish yet has a comfortable, lived-in feel. The following are often found in Southwest design:
- Metal and Wood Detail
- Wooden Beams
- Warm Neutrals
- Textured Walls
- Native American or Spanish Accents
- Tiles
- Casual, Rustic Elements
The Southwestern kitchen can be influenced by one specific place or a mix of Mexican, Santa Fe, Spanish, and Native American elements.
Depending on the homeowner’s preferences, the style can be modified with a few small additions or major changes.
Southwestern Design Color Palette
Native Americans and the Spanish believed that colors could protect against evil spirits, which can be seen in the particular choices of colors in most Southwestern designs.
Earth tones play a large role in Southwest kitchen design. This style’s color palette includes slate blue, adobe red, forest green, muddy brown, and salmon.
These colors emulate the peace and serenity found in the natural landscape. Neutral-colored stucco walls are common in kitchens in colors like white, light gold, orange, or soft caramel.
The subdued color palette often incorporates brighter natural colors as accents, such as turquoise blue, bright orange, gold, and red clay. The blue-green colors reflect the sky, while the use of oranges and yellows resembles the desert.
These hues are often used in accents, textiles, and decorative items. The early Spaniards introduced Taos blue, a mix of violet and sky blue that is used in entry doors and windowpanes to ward off evil.
Modern Southwest includes a high-contrast color element, such as a bright wall or black accents in the furniture and décor. Black and white can also be contrasted for a more modern feel. This also keeps the space from being too earthy and neutral.
Southwestern Design Cabinets
White cabinets provide the perfect backdrop for the Southwest kitchen design. With accent colors for the countertops, backsplash, and décor, the sky is the limit with white cabinets.
White cabinetry offers many choices, but a non-glossy finish is best. An antique white cabinet will maintain the traditional feel, while a white shaker cabinet can provide a more contemporary vibe.
The cabinet hardware can take on an antique or contemporary spin based on the rest of the kitchen design. For example, a brushed pewter knob brings a little of both.
Southwestern Design Countertops
When it comes to countertops, tile is the winner. Spanish mosaic tiles are a beautiful addition to this type of kitchen.
Hand-painted tiles can be used for authentic-looking countertops. Machine-crafted tiles that look like they were made by hand are a budget-friendly way to get the same look. The patterns and color choices are endless—one suggestion is dark blue, representing bravery in Mexico.
More durable countertop materials are also options in this type of kitchen. For example, wood butcher block provides a natural and rustic feel. The wood can vary in color or be a gradient mix.
For more modern Southwestern kitchens, granite comes in various shades.
Southwestern Design Kitchen Backsplash
Again, tile is a great choice for the backsplash. Talavera tiles are hand-painted and named for their city of origin in Spain. They are intricately patterned with geometric designs and representations of nature.
This is a must for a truly authentic Southwester kitchen design. Although it is more expensive, it can also be used as an accent under the hood.
The backsplash can be a nod to nature using natural materials. For example, white-painted bricks that resemble rocks are a traditional take on the backsplash.
Southwestern Texture
Texture comes in many forms in this design style. Wood-covered or beam-punctured ceilings are a staple in Southwestern design. Southwestern kitchens often have Native American area rugs in chevron, stripe, or square patterns.
Walls are another place to use texture. In the past, Native Americans and Spanish used clay bricks, adobe, or concrete to make walls. Painting or texturizing techniques imitate this look today. Murals are also commonly used in Southwestern design.
Southwestern Flooring Design
Southwestern flooring usually has terra-cotta tiles in honey or adobe brick colors. They are durable in a kitchen and enhance the color scheme.
Some options for the tile arrangement are brick, square, or lozenge. Floors made of Saltillo tiles, which are clay pavers, add an instant rustic effect. Spanish or Italian Saltillo offers resistance in a high-traffic kitchen.
Flooring can also be made of wood—maple, oak, cherry, hickory, or pine are all options. These woods are also known for their durability.
The Southwestern Furniture
Kitchen furniture usually features a rugged wooden dining table. Wood tones are warm and can be mixed with Armoires, and chairs have a distressed finish and decorative metal accents.
Furniture can also be painted in the scheme’s colors, such as cream or white. Upholstery materials are leather, suede, or woven fabrics in traditional Southwestern chair patterns.
Distressing can achieve the rustic and original look of the furniture. Wood with a natural grain is also common in the Southwest kitchen.
The Southwestern Design Accents
Accents are an important part of Southwestern kitchen design. They help to make the space homey and warm. Wall hangings, woven baskets, and Southwestern art are often found in the kitchen, as are wrought-iron lamps and cactus pots.
Another Southwestern accent is pottery. Original pottery was made from terracotta, which is orange-yellow to reflect the sun’s color. Native American pottery in the kitchen gives a nice accent to the space.
Baskets and pots are important elements in Southwest design. They provide extra storage and can add spice and color to the kitchen. Bright baskets stand out and are a focal point in the room, and pots add texture and visual interest when placed on the kitchen table.
Southwestern Lighting
Old-style lighting finishes work well in a Southwester kitchen design. Wrought iron lighting reflects the impact of Southwestern design in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Copper or oil-rubbed bronze chandeliers are other lighting fixture options. Metal or mixed-metal pendants work well over an island.
Southwestern Kitchen Appliances and Sink
The appliances can be a mix of old and new or can go all modern with stainless steel. Classic or retro-designed appliances in bright hues match the rest of the color palette.
A stainless-steel sink is also a choice that will not detract from the rest of the kitchen. Another option for the sink is a copper apron sink.
Southwestern Kitchen Design Trends
Southwest kitchen design is in. Southwestern interior design is evolving to include global items as well. Global-inspired, geometric, yet still mixed with Southwestern patterns are being used throughout the design.
As are Moroccan-inspired rugs, Shibori and ikat patterns are big in Southwestern kitchens. Jute, kilim, souk, shag, and overdyed rugs are also being used in Southwest kitchens. These patterns are used in textiles and accent décor like vases and rugs.
A minimalistic take on Modern Southwest is also a trend for the year. This is just a smattering of Southwest details against white walls and black accents. Woven rattan on island stools and a shag rug bring in the rustic element of this style.
In Southwest kitchen style, the cabinets can give the space a traditional or modern feel, depending on the other accents in the space.
