Equestrian Home Decor How to Guide

Equestrian home decor is rustic and practical. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Purchase furniture that has a country feel. Pine is a good choice. The knots give it a barn-like look. It is also a soft wood and will distress easily. To give it that worn look, beat it gently with a chain. Mix the pine with other worn pieces such as an end table with a crackle finish or a chair with paint peeling.

2. Several framed black and white photographs of horses make a nice wall focal point in a group of 4 or 5. If you desire the equestrian home decor look for a bedroom, soften the look by choosing photos of single horses with manes blowing in the wind or drinking water from a stream. These create a more relaxed feeling. Horses stampeding down a trail is probably not the first thing you want to wake up to after a restful sleep, not very romantic either.

3. Keep matching items to a minimum otherwise you’ll get that cheap look that says “I went to Wal-Mart and shopped in one isle”. Say you really love that metal mustang clock. That’s perfectly fine. Just don’t go overboard with horse sheets, a horse comforter, a horse trash can and frilly curtains with little horses on them. One or two equestrian home décor items will equip a room nicely.

4. Instead of everything being horse décor, choose a color palette you like and match rugs, curtains and linens with the colors you’ve chosen.

5. If it isn’t already too late, avoid the temptation of telling friends and relatives that you collect horse-themed items. If someone asks, give a specific item that you desire. Old habits die hard for gift givers. If you’re not careful, you’ll be renting storage space to keep all those equestrian home decor gifts packed away.

6. A grouping of horseshoes nailed to the wall makes for interesting wall decor. Antique or old-looking metal feed or grain signs give an authentic look to a kitchen or dining area.

7. Who doesn’t like the look of fresh flowers around the house? Instead of dainty petals, how about a vase of something your four-legged friend would find tempting? Place a bouquet of silk or styrofoam carrots in a glass vase with the green tops poking out in a cascade.

8. Line your fireplace mantle with large glass canisters in different shapes and sizes. Fill them with horse treats of different varieties. Hand-make labels for each jar that display each horse’s name. If you don’t have your own horses, just make up names like “Star Dust”, “Angel Baby” or “October Rain”. Most likely you’ll want to keep the real stash of equestrian goodies in a bucket in the barn or garage.

When you love horses, it’s easy to think of ways to make equestrian home decor part of your every day life!