Southern Style Decor

Southern style decor is many things to many people. Cities like New Orleans have a mix of French, British, African, and Native American influences, which are reflected in their decor and in their architecture.

Without getting into the history of the plantation mansion style decor and design, and the sinister context in which it developed, there are many aspects of southern style decor that cross class lines, and are well adapted to the climate of the southern states.

Most southern style design is shaped by the heat and humidity of the summers in that region. Homes are designed to take maximum advantage of breezes with huge windows and french doors thoughtfully placed in the directions of prevailing winds, and cross ventilated using large central hall ways. High ceilings and raised wooden floors are other features that help to beat the heat. Southerners value hospitality and kinship bonds, so they put a lot of emphasis on decorating their living-rooms with comfortable seating for large groups, and their dining rooms similarly seat very large extended families.

Southern decor takes advantage of their large and shady porches with comfortable out door seating. This often includes rocking chairs and swings, where a person can sit and look out at the garden and/ or surrounding fields. The use of wicker furniture is common in the south; it is well ventilated and tends not to mildew in the humidity.

After the civil war, there were great numbers of working poor in the southern states, and a culture grew up around that experience. The decor that came out of that era is unpretentious and practical, reusing materials, and developing a culture of craft-making that was passed from generation to generation, especially among the women. Quilting, sewing, and crocheting became staples in home decor, as did creating furniture out of previously used wood. The rustic quality of southern country decor is very comforting and welcoming. Since canning was such a big part of the survival strategy, decorative cans and food storage containers made of tin, feature in kitchen decor.

Southern style decor , if suited to the the climate where you live, is a good choice if you are focused on being hospitable.