Rawhide lamp shades add just the right western decorating touch you need for a rustic make over. For many people, western or southwest decorating is something that they love but don't have an idea of how to bring into their own home. For some reason it seems like it is not possible to bring the old west home. Or perhaps the question is; where do I begin with rustic decorating?

In reality, adding rustic flavor to your home with rawhide lamp shades is easy, functional and doesn't have to cost a fortune. With the introduction of just a few key elements any home can have the western ranch look, the rustic appeal of a cabin or the warm feel of a southwest pueblo style. Home decorating with rawhide lamp shades can make any room come alive with rustic cowboy style. You don't even have to have every piece in place to begin a dramatic affect. Just add a few touches around your home as you can to create a great new look.

Rawhide lamp shades will set the focal points around the room and give you the foundation necessary to add other elements. Vintage lamps make a great statement but you can also us wrought iron lamps. If your budget allows, use antler lamps and chandeliers for one of the most classic looks in western lodge and home decor. You can also make your own lamps from drift wood or pottery. But, if you can't add new lamps, chances are that rawhide shades will work with your existing lamps too. Lampshades made of stretched rawhide will really add to that cowboy feel even with traditional lamps. The most important thing is to keep the design functional.

Along with rustic lighting and the warm glow of rawhide lampshades around the room, add style and color with woven Indian style area rugs. If you already have hardwood floors, you will be well on your way to a great western feel. But a wooden floor while beautiful can have a cold empty feel. Using colorful hand woven wool rugs, table runners and place mats will warm the room and heighten the western theme. And if you have wall to wall carpeting, the wool southwest rugs will work perfectly to transform your decor. Be on the look out for Navajo rugs and weavings or at least reproductions of classic Native American patterns. Try some on the wall too as tapestries for a rich full look.

With rustic lamps, rawhide lamp shades and floor and walls adorned, look at the windows. If possible leave them uncovered. If you don't already have rustic wood trimmed windows, try adding a rough wood plank across the top to give to affect of a wood beam like used in southwestern pueblos. If you have to use window treatments for privacy, try a wooden valance with simple straight panel curtains.

Finish with other rustic elements like wrought iron and wood accessories. Think about door knobs or cabinet and drawer pulls in western styles and some log furniture pieces. Other unique accessories will be stoneware and painted Indian pottery. And, one of the most basic techniques to add color and texture is to place a western throw blanket over the back of a chair or end of a couch. Rawhide lamp shades work especially well in the bedroom along with southwest bedspreads. Lay a cowhide down as a rug and your new western look will be complete.