How to Decorate Equestrian Style: 7 Designer Tips

Equestrian style is more than a decorating trend; for many, it's a way of life. Drawing inspiration from polo, show jumping, dressage, and the everyday rituals of the stable, this look blends laid-back elegance with old-world sophistication. 

Here's how to bring it into your own home.

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Mark Cunningham and Jennifer Miller Design

Equestrian Style Colour Palette

The foundation of equestrian style is built on warm, rich timber tones — camel, burnt umber, tan, off-white, and ecru. Deeper notes of crimson, navy, leather brown, black, and mahogany add contrast, while cooler neutrals and soft whites keep the overall feel fresh rather than heavy. 

A final layer of brass, bronze, gold, and pewter hardware brings in lustre. 

Palm and Palazzo

Kara ChildressArchitectural Character

The best equestrian interiors feel rooted in their surroundings. Local hardwoods, untreated timber framing, rough-hewn concrete, aged brick, and wrought-iron joinery are practical, low-maintenance choices that also bring natural texture into the home. 

Rooms like tack rooms, home libraries, stables, and mudrooms are signature additions — often finished with wood panelling, rough stone walls, or exposed timber beams for rustic charm. Inside, natural oak, painted timber, or glossy mahogany are seen in wall panelling, built-in cabinetry, and ornately detailed balustrades.

Texture and Materials

Equestrian style leans on layered, tactile materials throughout the home with upholstery, textiles, window treatments, and flooring.

• Soft furnishings: heavyweight linen throws, faux-fur or velvet blankets, crisp white cotton sheets with simple borders, quilted bedspreads, tartan and chevron wool blankets, and cushions in plaid, striped, floral, and checked patterns.
• Natural textures: woven jute, sisal, and brown rattan balance out the more sumptuous fabrics, while tan and black leather, marble accents, and wrought-iron hardware add depth and dimension.
• Flooring: reclaimed tongue-and-groove planks, oak hardwood, rustic terracotta tiles, classic travertine cobblestones, and ceramic tile in bathrooms.
• Rugs: handmade kilims, worn oriental rugs, animal hides, and jute or sisal runners in warm neutrals, muted reds, browns, and blues.
• Window treatments: heavyweight linen or velvet drapes, breezy burlap curtains, rattan roller blinds, and rustic timber shutters. For colour, look to linen, wool, or cotton Roman blinds in indigo, navy, ecru, neutral, or crimson, patterned with timeworn tartan, plaid, ticking stripes, florals, or arrowhead stripes.

Lindsey Hunter DesignLighting

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to nod directly to the equestrian theme. Look to table lamps with a stirrup shape, stitched leather detailing, buckle accents, or even a sculptural horse head. These pieces can double as decor in their own right. Pair these with simpler brass, glass, and bronze floor and table lamps for a luxe feel.

For ambience, glass hurricanes in leather or brass frames, rococo-style candelabras, and contemporary candlesticks suit sideboards, mantels, consoles, and entryway tables. Large iron chandeliers featuring stirrups and leather straps make a strong statement in dining rooms, while glass orb or lantern-style pendants in polished nickel, wrought iron, or natural brass complete the look.

Kara ChildressFurniture

Signature Equestrian style pieces include generous farmhouse or trestle dining tables, bentwood dining chairs, nailhead leather saddle armchairs, chesterfield sofas, entryway benches, and cane or leather trunks used for storage.

Reclaimed wooden bookshelves and rattan drum side tables bring in rustic warmth, while an occasional mirrored console or bedside table introduces a touch of glamour. Mahogany end tables and desks with turned legs pair well with tufted ottomans, wingback armchairs, benches, and stools for added cosiness in living rooms and home offices.

Other stable-inspired furnishings to consider:

• Large mahogany four-poster beds or upholstered headboards 
• Pigeonhole wall-mounted storage for brushes and leads
• Vintage trunks
• Rustic foyer benches
• Tiered storage racks

Via House and GardenEquestrian Style Artwork, Mirrors & Accessories

Artwork and Mirrors

Equestrian-style artwork includes large framed vintage horse prints, black-and-white photography, polo-inspired paintings, and landscape motifs that reflect the surrounding scenery. If you're building a gallery wall, keep it monochromatic with sleek frames for a curated, refined finish. Similarly, a round leather or wood-framed mirror with metal buckle and stitching detail adds a contemporary touch.

Accessories

For accessories, favour a few well-chosen, well-loved pieces: leather trays with stirrups, rattan baskets or trays, silver trophies, stacked vintage books, walking sticks, magnifying glasses, and wrought-iron or metallic sculptures, among others. 

You can also borrow from the preppy aesthetic, with riding crops, log baskets, felt fedoras, helmets, vintage tennis rackets, old leather riding boots, and boot racks, ideal for a tack room, mudroom, or entryway.

In the home office, look for horse-motif bookends and hardware, stirrup trays, desk caddies, ink trays, binoculars, and leather picture frames. For lustre, pewter and polished silver servers, ice buckets, and barware add shine, while photo frames, crystal vases, mantel clocks, and glossy ceramics complete the look.

Living Energy: Plants, Flowers, & Greenery

Finish the space with fresh greenery and flowers such as roses, orchids, and hydrangeas on dining tables, sideboards, and bedside tables. For a more rustic warmth, try large sculptural branches, ruscus, magnolia leaves, dried flowers, bowls of acorns, or seasonal clippings straight from the garden.

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