Early American Decorating Ideas

Go Light

• Begin your early American look at the walls by going light. During that period, walls were typically plaster, so color, when applied, remained a light hue. Paint your walls white or a pastel shade of blue or yellow to obtain a historic look. To add a bit of texture to the style, add a paint technique, like color washing.

Use Wood

• Maintain the natural feel of the early American period by using wood. Wood was the main building material available during the period and was used everywhere. Install wide-plank hardwood flooring in a warmer color, or add wainscoting to your walls to create an early American feel in your home. Decorate your space with a few heavy, durable wood pieces in an earthy color, like mustard yellow, to finish the look.

Stencil It

• If you're looking for a way to add a little detail to your walls or early American furniture pieces, try stenciling. Simple stencil designs of leaves, birds and other natural elements were common during the period. Create a border around the top of a wall or above a chair rail to make the look work in your space.

Add a Floorcloth

• For a truly historic feel, add a floorcloth. Floorcloths are pieces of thick cloth that were often placed on the floor in place of rugs during the early American period. Floorcloths typically featured painted designs. The more intricate and large the design, the more expensive the floorcloth. Braided rugs and some carpets were also used during this period.