Spanish Style Homes and Southwest theme are perfect for decorating with pottery. It's just a given... really, that pottery makes a wonderful accent to any home decor theme.

Think about decorating with a pottery vase that will hold live plants, flowers, faux plants or even shells from your last trip to the beach. Ceramics of any kind are usually a personal addition to room decor, and the warmth of pottery seems to suit southwest living better than glass.

Spanish Houses: Rustic Mediterranean Style

Pottery, of course comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. While it might be above our current decorating budget to have a large pottery planter that stands on the floor... smaller versions will add impact on mantles, tabletops and shelving.

The idea is to find the largest pottery pieces you can afford. No really great decorated room is filled with tiny decorations. Bigger is always better. But... they don't have to be expensive. I know that lovely pottery can be found on the shelves of museum gift shops and decorating stores, but I have found really great pieces that fit right in with my decor in discount and home center stores.

Often... when your walking the aisles in your local home center, pots in the garden center are just stacked in piles and look bleak and unattractive. But... you should take a second look. Pull one out and wipe off the dust. What does the shape and color look like? Is it Spanish in design? Does the glaze contain a rich cobalt blue? Are the patterns similar to tile?

This little inexpensive pot could be a treasure. Used in the kitchen as a utensil cache... used in the family room as a magazine holder... used on the mantle in a group of three...

Can you see the possibilities?

Perhaps, you have found some stoneware plates. Have you also checked out the inexpensive wrought iron plate holders? What would the two in combination look like in your kitchen or dining room?

Bowl style pottery is another excellent choice for decorating... they are functional and decorative. A bowl could hold fruit on the kitchen counter. A beautiful pottery bowl filled with candles makes a charming rustic centerpiece.

I have several pottery pitchers sitting on top of my refrigerator in the kitchen. This space is often used as a catchall... which adds to a cluttered appearance in the kitchen. I would much rather have my pitchers showcased in an area that is easy for me to grab one to hold flowers, ice tea... or just to water the plants.

We also have several pots in the kitchen that hold colorful straws... and one I use for the dog's treats. These do add a splash of color the counters.

Be on the lookout for some unusual pottery, but don't hide it in the cabinets. Let your beautiful new pieces be part of your Spanish Style Homes decor.