Southwestern rugs are an easy way to create that unique western, rustic or Native American feel in your home decor. Because of their growing popularity, many designers are choosing to buy southwestern accent rugs online. Used as western rugs and also southwest area rugs on the floors in your home or when decorating a log cabin with a rustic or western theme, southwestern rugs give your home character and a true authentic southwestern country look. When purchasing American Indian style rugs, you will find a large selection of southwestern rugs to choose from and will definitely want to put a few of the most popular and sought-after rugs in your home decor. These rugs have a rich history that has evolved over time and can truly be appreciated as pieces of art.

Among the most popular southwestern and western rugs are handmade area rugs, spirit rugs, Mexican Guadalupe rugs, Oaxaca Mexico rugs including Zapotec Indian rugs, Mohair and Navajo rugs. Each of these types of rugs mixes beautiful colors and characters, symbolizing spiritual or historic events. An excellent example of this is seen in the Southwestern Spirit rug which combines a variation of colors and designs. The spiritual characters used in these rugs are made in a variety of patterns and forms that represent and express the spirituality of the people.

Not only are southwestern rugs known for their incredible beauty, but the skill and hard work needed in making Native rugs and runners is also greatly appreciated. The makers of hand woven wool rugs are highly skilled and begin the rug making process by kneeling in front of a vertical wooden-framed loom. The designs are then placed by using a shuttle to weave a variety of colored yarn together, making large-scale geometric characters and designs. In the beginning, Navajo rugs as well as those of some other Southwest Indian tribes were weaved of hand-spun cotton thread. However, after the wool of domestic sheep was introduced to the area by the Spanish settlers, the people mainly used wool to create their colorful rugs and other traditional weaving.

Today, many of the modern southwestern rugs come from areas where Spanish and Native American histories joined together to create one-of-a-kind designs. Southwest rugs, with their rich earth tone colors and one-of-a-kind southwestern designs make them a great choice for rustic home decorating. If you are looking for a great southwest rug, you will most likely purchase from American companies or directly from Native American weavers. Purchasing rugs from Navajo or other American Indian tribes not only allows you the satisfaction of owning a southwestern rug that is woven by Native Americans but also helps to support the Native American heritage of rug weaving, and the people who themselves sell their rugs, blankets, and Native American art.

The rug you choose will strongly depend on what your tastes are and what kind of decorating you have in mind. You will find that southwest rugs are the perfect rustic accents when combined with rustic or western home decor. Whether you are decorating one room in your house or decorating a whole home using a western theme, you will come across many designs and colors available to choose from. Among these options you will be able to choose from Zapotec rugs with no two alike, to southwest table runners and southwestern tapestries. Home decorators love hand woven rugs because of the rich colors and textures. Whatever your decorating style and whatever your home decor needs, you will greatly enjoy the richness of color and warmth created by decorating with southwestern rugs.