5 Tips to Adding Americana to Your Decor

Americana decor is the patriotic interwoven fabric of our lives and culture in reds, blues, and shades of whites. These elements blend perfectly into any Primitive, Country, Farmhouse, or Rustic décor theme. Have you ever heard of Primitive Americana, Country Farmhouse Americana, or even Rustic Americana home decor? Well I have 5 tips to adding Americana to your decor that will help you inexpensively elevate your current style.

Why Should I add Americana Décor:

Americana décor is a celebration of American culture. It reminds us of historic men fighting in the Revolutionary War to end “taxation without representation” and the Continental Army led by George Washington as he crossed the Delaware River (in Bucks County, Pennsylvania). It was OUR ancestors in the 13 colonies winning the fight for freedom from the British and declaring independence as the United States of America in 1776.

Americana décor is a celebration of sacrifices. It reminds us of brave men who fought to end slavery in the Civil War (between 1861-1865) where the cost of freedom claimed over 620,000 casualties.

Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

– Winston Churchill (1948)

American décor is a design of family. We are the mothers and daughters, the fathers and sons, the brothers and sisters, or the friends and extended family of someone who has/is dedicating life to protect and serve this great country.

Americana décor is a tribute to our unconquerable spirit. We came together as one when the American flag was raised over the rubble at ground zero. It is a testament to our loyalty to our country, our unity as “One Nation Under God”, and our perseverance, resiliency, and sense of community after Hurricanes Sandy, Katrina, and Ida. It is why many Americans are adding Americana décor style to their homes and why Americana accents are so hugely popular and timeless. It warmly reminds us of who we are and how we came to be.

What Americana décor consists of:

Great Americana accents include fabric throws, pillows, rugs, modern placemats, wall hangings, and signs. Since Americana style accents blend with basically any décor theme, it does not take a major “make-over” to accomplish. Just add a couple pillows with red and white stripes to a couch and a star placemat under that book you are reading on the coffee table. Add couple stars to accent your pictures on the wall, a patriotic throw over the back of the chair, or a old braided rug in the middle of the floor in front of the fireplace… viola you just made your décor Americana… oh wait…there IS just a little more to it than that…

Primitive, Country Farmhouse, Rustic Americana….   

Primitive, Country, Farmhouse, Rustic… whatever your décor ‘theme’ will undeniably come with certain ‘hues’ that vary.

The Primitive Americana design looks best with tea-stained flags and buntings. Accent candle holders with and old Colonial candle timers or one with a Colonial 1776 design for a quick patriotic flair for under $10.

The hues of Primitive Americana are muted so darker faded Blues, Burgundy, and tea-stained white compliment the other Primitive décor items you already disply. Rusty stars and pip berries in burgundy and white can bring a patriotic accent to any chosen piece on an end stand or wall. The main idea is to target the muted Americana colors that blend well with the casual warmth of the Primitive décor to elevate it to Primitive Americana.

Country/Farmhouse Americana design looks best with white-wash stripes, Barn Red (bright for a Modern Country or faded for a Rustic Country look), and darker yet faded Country Blues. Since Country and Farmhouse styles typically use white as the background color, most Americana in this style can accent with mere red/blue stripes and stars. Having a touch of Americana accents throughout the house truly elevates the Country/Farmhouse Americana style.

5 tips to Decorating Americana:

1. Pick your theme and start adding. If you are into Primitive, Country, Rustic, Farmhouse… whatever your flavor, use that as the main style and start adding Americana accents to match. You can always add accents until you decide to not add accents.
2. Start slowly. You don’t need a complete makeover to design in Americana, just add a couple pillows to start, add a star here or there, and add a Patriotic themed candle. You will find that in no time… you are on your way to some great Americana styling.
3. Match color hues. Remember from above that Primitive and Country have different hues to the blues, reds, and even the whites that are used. Try to match your Americana to the hues of the other décor in your home. Some products are even depicted as “Primitive Americana” or “Rustic Americana” etc… but don’t let that be the judge. Use you own eye for matching color.
4. Keep your Americana together. A lonely Patriotic piece might be alright by itself, however design your Americana to appear more cohesive with at least one other Americana accent piece nearby. Unless you wish to use a sole Americana accent as a focal point, a small grouping will draw conscious awareness to the reason of their placement.
5. Buy Americana when you can. It is no surprise that Americana décor pieces are more prevalent around Memorial Day, July 4th, and during Election years. Not all stores sell Americana décor year-round. If you find that one shop that does… save it as a favorite. You never know when you need to that one certain special Americana addition to complete your design but you are not willing to wait until Summer.

Americana décor is a style, a design technique so to speak, that can elevate any Primitive, Country, Rustic, or Farmhouse décor to another level. It is hugely popular and not without reason. Those characteristics of being uniquely American and different from one another are what bind us together. We are diverse, we are unconquerable, we are unified, and we are American. I hope you find these 5 simple tips an inspiration to elevate your home with some patriotic Americana home décor flair.

Feel free to stop on over to my shop at Misfit Metal & Wood Products to get started on adding Americana flair to your home today.

Misfit is proud to be a small business located in Central Pennsylvania.

Thank you for stopping by.

Until next time ~ enjoy it simple.

Susan 😀