Modern Southwest Living
INSIDE : There is nothing like clean, simple and Modern Southwest living. From the use of natural materials and plants to cheerful but muted colors – there are tons of Modern Southwest Ideas and Inspiration for all.
This post has been updated from it’s original publish date of June 2017.
Desert life here we come (again)! As some of you may know, we have temporarily been living in the Midwest for the last two years. My husband went back to school for his doctorate and his time at school is coming to a close (thank goodness!).
We flew to the desert and did a little house hunting two weekends ago and eventually put an offer on a home. With that in mind, I have started amping up my Southwest Pinterest game! Today I am sharing a fun roundup of Modern Southwest Living ideas that I will be heavily pulling from in our new home.
For those of you (most of you) who do not know a ton about southwest styles, our new house has FULL ON Modern Santa Fe southwest vibe. It has saltilo tile throughout the main living areas, beamed ceilings and lots of built in nichos.
What are Saltilo tiles?
Saltillo tile is an unglazed clay terra cotta tile that is almost always found in shades of red, yellow or orange. The tile is made from natural clay deposits from the city of Saltillo, Mexico. They are sun-baked and kiln-fired.
You might like my Stylish Saltillo Tile Ideas and Colors that go well with Saltillo tile posts!
What is Modern Southwest style?
In our new home, I am attempting to nod to the southwest, as it’s impossible not to with the style of our home. But I will be incorporating lots of clean white walls, pops of muted color, beamed ceilings and tile floors with the inspiration images below… think creative Southwest meets West Elm.
Modern Southwest Living Room Ideas
I wanted our Southwest living room to feel bright and open, but also have a creative southwest feel to it. The first thing that I did to the space was to paint it from a creamy yellow to white. I’ve used Bit of Sugar from Behr paint throughout our home.
Here are all the paints I’ve used in our home…
We have two sofa’s for the space, I created a big piece of artwork and bought the biggest disco ball I could to enjoy all the sunshine that pours into this room!
And with time, I’ve been slowly fine tuning the living room by adding touches of our personality. I got a thrifted Mid Century Modern desk, painted an accent arch and reupholstered a thrifted chair to add to that corner.
Then I made a huge clay ring wall art piece – I LOVE how it turned out. And then built a modern book sling side table.
Modern Southwest Dining Room Ideas
Our dining room feels a little more playful in both color and pattern than the living room. Using a Silhouette cutting machine, I cut out black diamond vinyl decals to create a wallpaper look. The artwork and rug add a perfect mix of whimsy and creativity to balance out the orange tile floors in our modern southwest dining room.
- Homemade Holiday Memories (links to all the new neutral dining room products)
- Modern Southwest Dining Room
- Mix and Match your Artwork
Modern Southwest Kitchen Ideas
Our kitchen has a very Moroccan meets Southwest feel. Blue so nicely plays with the orange in our floors, so this color combination works really well in here. I was able to give this whole space a new look for under $300.
- 5 Ways to update your kitchen for under $300
- How to install Removable Wallpaper Backsplash
- How to pick your Barstools
And I have numerous posts now about our caring for, sealing and picking colors for rooms with Saltillo tile! You can check them out below…
Looking for other content about Saltillo Tile? Check these out below.
Modern Southwest Backyard Ideas
When we moved into this home, the front door, gates and all the outdoor trim was RED. For three years, I came home and twitched a little bit.
Southwest Outdoor Curb Appeal
Painting our gates and trim a soothing blue was the best decision for giving our outdoor spaces an updated Southwest but modern feel.
Two years later and I still love the contrast of our stucco color and the dusty blue trim work!
- 5 Must Do tips for updating your Outdoor Patio
- Give your Curb Appeal a Fresh Look
- Painting your Outdoor Address Tiles
Southwest Backyard Updates
Our backyard has long been not an ideal place for our family to spend time in. So after living in this home now for seven years, we finally decided to tackle the space. We cut out a portion of our concrete patio, prepped the area for sod and then installed an irrigation system, grass and bistro lights!
It’s SUCH a lovely space now!!
- How to Cut Patio Concrete
- Removing a Concrete Patio by Hand
- Prepping Soil for Sod
- Installing a Small Turf Irrigation System
Modern Southwest Entryway Ideas
Our creamy yellow colored entryway stood cluttered and un-inspiring for so long. I finally took the time to paint the entry area and surrounding tall walls all white. That alone was a huge improvement. Then I removed the cowboy saloon doors and patched the walls. Add in some fun yarn art and our entry feels much improved.
Modern Southwest Bedroom Ideas
Our bedroom has always been last on the list. It was dull and cream and boring, so I was thrilled to give it a little more personality! I painted three walls crisp clean white and the main accent wall got a cool Perfectly Imperfect line treatment.
MY Home –> Want to check out my each room in my home?
I have shared inspiration, tips and inexpensive ways to make your home YOU.
17 Modern Southwest Interior Ideas
There is nothing like clean, simple and Modern Southwest living. From the use of natural materials and plants to cheerful but muted colors - there are tons of Modern Southwest Ideas and Inspiration for all.
5 Ways to Update your Kitchen for under $300
Check out these five tips to give you kitchen a beautiful modern feel.
Modern Office Space
This beautiful earthy sage green works so well in this modern office space.
Simple Backyard Patio
Simple spaces like this lovely backyard patio can be perfect for enjoying.
Master Bedroom Refresh Reveal
Modern but with a touch of simple southwest flair in this primary bedroom.
Bohemian bedroom
The Boho southwest vibes are perfect in this bedroom.
SOUTHWESTERN STYLE DEFINED
This living room is warm, inviting and so comfortable.
Give your Curb Appeal a fresh look with Paint
Mixing cool blue with the beige stucco gives this southwest front a perfect look.
Southwest Outdoor space
Black exterior paint gives this home a modern feel.
Gorgeous Gray Midcentury Modern Sofa
The simple lines in this modern mid cenutry living room are wonderful.
Clean Southwest Living Room
Cheerful and clean southwest Living Room space!
Southwest Modern Family Room
This southwest family room looks so warm and inviting!
Modern Southwest Dining Room Refresh
A modern dining room with a colorful twist is the way to go here.
Modern Boho Living room
Cozy and cool, this modern boho living room looks so inviting.
Modern Boho Front Entry reveal
A wonderful entry was that highlights a southwest feel.
Modern Backyard : the reveal
Love the simple boho southwest style this backyard gives off.
Clay Ring Wall Art Hanging
Create beautiful art for your southwest home using simple polymer clay rings!
How to Paint an Arch Accent Wall
Add big interest on your walls with this simple painted arch accent!
I loved this post! The blend of modern design with Southwest elements creates such a warm and inviting atmosphere. The tips on incorporating natural materials really resonated with me. Can’t wait to implement some of these ideas in my own home!
I absolutely loved this post! The blend of modern design with Southwest aesthetics is so refreshing. Your tips on incorporating natural elements really resonated with me. I can’t wait to try some of these ideas in my own space!
I absolutely loved this post! The blend of modern aesthetics with Southwest design elements is so inspiring. The tips on using natural materials and incorporating local art really resonate with me. Can’t wait to apply some of these ideas to my own space!
Love all of these images, from one desert dweller to a soon to be. What is it that they say, “it’s a dry heat”?!
I didn’t realize you were a desert dweller, too! We actually lived in the place we are heading for 10+ years… we just took a 2 year break when my husband was attending additional schooling. And it totally is a DRY HEAT, hahah! 😉
So many great options, my picks would go b, c, b, b, c and a. So beautiful!!
Wonderful picks, Kelly! I’m hoping to make my home even half as neat as they inspiration images! 😉
Amy, your inspiration images are stunning! I particularly love the ones from Almost Makes Perfect and A Pair and a Spare, and the kitchen with the rattan chairs and giant black pendant. I know moving (and buying a house!) are super stressful, but just remember — you get to decorate! 😀 Hope you’re hanging in there! Xoxo
Thanks girl! I hope to make our home even half as cool as these inspiration images!!! We are down to three weekends until we do our three day rode trip back west… keep breathing is what I keep telling myself. xo
We have built in nichos in our home too, and I struggle with how to decorate… can’t wait for your ideas!
Nichos are hard for sure, Laura! I sometimes even struggle with decorating a fireplace mantel. Here’s to hoping this inspiration will help both of us, ha.