Use Southwest Bedding To Create Unique Western Home Decor

Inexpensive southwest bedding is the way to go when it comes to decorating a rustic style home, cabin or lodge. A while ago, I was searching for an inexpensive way to redecorate one of the bedrooms in my home and give it a touch of the old west. I found some Indian blankets at a discount linen store and decided to add them as part of the western decor. I loved the country western style they created in the room so much that I decided to put them in all the rooms of my home to give them that beautiful, southwest style you see in designer magazines.

Since I used these southwestern blankets everyday as bedspreads, shawls, or as lap blankets, I started reading about the history of southwestern blankets and began researching their origin. The more I studied, the more intriguing the story became. I never knew that although very popular today with interior decorators and in modern style homes, southwest bedding for use in southwestern home decor actually grew in the early 1900's, when Native American trade blankets were put on the market.

Most people I come in contact with, believe that the blankets and throws they commonly use for southwest bedding were originally made by Native Indians. I also believed that, until I began reading about the origin of these southwestern style blankets and discovered that, although American Indians were the main inspiration behind the designs and production of trade blankets, they were not the ones who made them.

In fact, as you research the intriguing history of western blankets, you will discover that they were actually made by machines, and produced by large weaving companies for the sole purpose of supplying the Indians with needed blankets. These rustic blankets were then supplied to the frontier trading posts where the Native Indians would buy and trade them and use them to wrap themselves in instead of a modern coat or jacket.

Something you will also find interesting as you study the history of trade blankets to use as southwest, is that as women became more interested in home decorating in the early 1900's, southwest decor and western designs rose in popularity. These "Indian blankets" as they came to be called, were sought after by people across the nation who wanted them for southwest bedding and as decorative couch or chair covers to accent Native American home decor. The Indian trade blankets were wonderful for covering exposed legs when riding on a wagon, sleigh or buggy, and in the new horseless carriages. Later on, they were used as throws for camping, sporting events and a new hobby called motoring.

Now days, you can easily buy southwest bedding online and in stores that sell western and southwest home decor. Whether used as a western bedspread, blanket or bed throw, southwest bedding will add great character to your home and decor. If you are looking for authenticity and traditional American Indian values and are searching for a great way to enhance western style in your rustic home decor, then you will definitely love owning and decorating with southwest bedding.