Tips For Adding Americana Accents Into Your Home Decor

If you're hoping to add some patriotic appeal to your home, look no further than the classic Americana aesthetic. According to Creative Market, this interior design style highlights every aspect of American culture. Whether that's in regard to its history, geography, or folklore, there's a décor piece out there to accentuate whichever characteristics are most important to you. It's also a useful design tactic for those hoping to create a timeless heritage look.

What exactly are the best ways to tastefully introduce Americana accents into your residence? In an exclusive interview with House Digest, interior designer and owner of Renos Group, Keith Melanson, has offered his insights. For over 25 years, Melanson and his team have worked with clients to renovate their spaces in order to increase their home value and update expired trends. Now, he'll use his professional experiences to guide you toward obtaining the perfect Americana décor.

First things first, you've got to get the right colors down. And with Americana décor, it's pretty straightforward. "Red, blue, and white should be at the core of any traditional Americana look for a room," Keith Melanson said. "You can personalize these by using different tones for each, such as using feminine shades for girls' rooms versus masculine ones for boys." For instance, variations of red could include blush pink, burgundy, or magenta.

Melanson also emphasized the importance of introducing a variety of decorative pieces. "Similarly, you can incorporate these into things beyond the wallpaper and paint, such as furniture fabric and the décor you use," he noted. "For example, you can have books lined up in these three colors or feature them in colorblock style by having chairs of each of the three colors in the same room." In essence, by incorporating Americana colors through different accent pieces, you're also creating a harmonious design through consistency.

In Melanson's experience, using the right types of materials can fully reveal the true beauty behind the Americana aesthetic. "Using wood in your furniture, wall paneling, and flooring is the easiest way to replicate the traditional, rustic Americana outlook," he revealed. "Couple this with décor such as carriage wheels for hanging and some taxidermy and you'll find yourself transported in time!" When it comes to Americana-themed taxidermy, there are a variety of animals you can use to achieve the look, such as buffalo, bison, deer, sea otter, and more. 

If you're leaning more towards displaying carriage wheels, try shopping around nearby thrift stores rather than purchasing a new set. Hopefully, you'll run across a few vintage pieces offered at a more affordable price that will nicely complement your existing décor. Carriage wheels come in a variety of sizes and styles, so you're sure to find something that will suit your home.

When it comes to this style, forget everything you know about furniture norms. In fact, Melanson encourages using this as an opportunity to create a unique design. "Instead of using chairs for your dining table or even for outdoor seating, you should use metal stools or bar stools because they evoke a sort of Western nostalgia that you only associate with the Americana aesthetic," he said.

Metal stools in particular would look especially great next to a wooden dining table because the mixture of materials would create textural interest. If you have a long dining or outdoor table meant to accommodate a large family, another option is wooden benches. Instead of purchasing six to eight stools, you may find that two benches and two stools — one on each end of the table — do the trick. It's also important to avoid furniture pieces that look brand new and, instead, opt for something more rustic and tarnished to truly achieve a classic Americana design.

A home's interior design is never complete without a few pieces of art. According to Melanson, art can be used to make every part of your home feel special. "Artwork can actually do a lot to elevate any room styled in the Americana aesthetic since this type of art has distinctive features, such as the depiction of everyday life in rural America, historical moments captured in paint, and a look into American travels [with] art pieces made using number plates," he pointed out. "You can easily place these in any room to evoke such an aesthetic!"

Since there's a wide array of appropriate artwork available, finding something you adore won't take long. Consider not just paintings, but photographs of old factories, farm animals, and landscapes. The variety of art mediums expands your options and gives you the chance to combine different pieces together to create a unique collection for your home.

Lastly, Keith Melanson describes how to achieve one of the most important aspects of interior design: lighting. He says, "The classic approach to lighting for the Americana aesthetic would be to use pendant chandeliers in rooms that are big enough for them, including bedrooms." The designer goes on to explain which types of finishes are best. "The detailing on these should be brass or copper or bronze — any shiny metal that's not silver — to evoke a rustic feeling."

It's a well-known fact of design theory that lighting is a crucial component used to create a desired ambiance. A pendant chandelier with Edison bulbs would be a great choice if you'd like to add a sophisticated touch to a rustic dining room. Similarly, if you're hoping to introduce a sense of coziness to a living area, you could choose a light fixture that incorporates both metal and wood. There are also smaller pendants available to accentuate dark corners all around your home, such as in a hallway or reading nook.