Sectional Couches, Wall Decor, and Other Living Room Fixtures That Highlight Latin American Culture in Your Home

Despite being among the racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, the Hispanic and Latino population has been seeing economic progress in terms of homeownership. A report released by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) notes the growth in homeownership rates among Latinos, which has reached a milestone of 49.5% in 2023. The report also highlights the demographic's notable net gain of 377,000 households owned, signifying the largest single-year increase since 2005.

Furthermore, what makes this achievement particularly remarkable is how Latino homebuyers remained formidable in the face of barriers in the housing market, namely soaring interest rates, reducing inventory, and unaffordable pricing. Whether they took on co-borrowers for financing arrangements or utilized local financial incentives for first-time homebuyers, Latinos demonstrated adaptability and an unwavering commitment to their aspirations as homeowners.

Beyond achieving their dreams, Latinos continue to take pride in their origins by showcasing their culture and traditions in the homes they worked hard for. An article on House Beautiful highlights how Hispanic and Latino interior designers, such as New Yorker Shareen Bailey and Miami-based Fernando Wong, honor their cultural connections—mainly by creating hospitable environments where people can gather and kitchens that reflect the diverse cuisine of Latin American countries.

If you're a Latino and want your home to serve both as a symbol and a reminder of your rich heritage, here's how you can incorporate elements of Latin American culture into the living room, the focal point of every living space.

Sectional Couches As Communal Seating

In the same home design article linked above, hospitality was mentioned as one of the core Latino values. This makes it essential for living rooms to welcome and accommodate guests and family members, whether for special occasions or daily life. So, when choosing seating arrangements, sectional couches are a viable option since their layout maximizes space and allows guests to sit comfortably next to each other, even if you don't have enough room for both a standard sofa and a love seat.

Besides being cozier and more inviting, L-shaped couches also come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and themes to suit your interior design needs. When browsing options on Living Spaces, smaller homes can opt for the space-saving Alana Modular 3-piece sofa with a gray linen fabric suited for minimalist styles. Meanwhile, homeowners expecting more guests can choose the Monterey Twilight Blue 109" 3-piece sectional, which not only offers communal comfort and flexibility with its additional storage ottoman but is also available in two colorways for a clean and modern look.

Bold Arches to Divide Spaces

Besides using sectional couches as versatile seating options, another fixture that Latino homeowners can consider is an archway. Because Latin American countries were influenced by the Art Deco style of Mediterranean architecture, arches have become commonplace in traditional homes as a load-bearing structure or a decorative element.

For living rooms, in particular, bold arches can be a subtle nod to family homes in Latin America while also being functional for distinguishing the room from the entryway or the connected dining area. Yet again, archways can be tailored to fit the style and overall vibe of your interiors, like framing the structure with wooden trim for a classic look or adorning it with tiles, glass, or seashells for added visual appeal.

Decor Inspired by Cultural Heritage

Instead of sticking to neutral decor or cookie-cutter art, embrace your Latino background by showing off your heritage. Not only is this a great way to add a personal touch to your home, but it can also make you feel more confident as you enjoy a space that brings your culture to the forefront.

A previous post highlighted a few indoor decorations with a Puerto Rican vibe that might serve as inspiration. Show dinner guests where you came from by using or displaying Totally Bamboo's Puerto Rico bamboo serving and cutting board, which highlights Puerto Rican destinations and cultural markers. Or, enjoy a little bit of history by displaying a vintage 1886 map of Puerto Rico as wall art, which is produced by Historix and is a quality print that will last on your wall for years. Collecting and displaying decor like these can be a great way to show some pride in where you came from while highlighting the best of where you are now.

Natural Elements for a Homey Vibe

Lastly, you can draw inspiration from Latin American homes that incorporate outdoor elements into indoor spaces to represent the culture's love of nature and the environment. Featured in Architectural Digest, actress Lina Botero's home embodies the Latino spirit by cultivating a harmonious relationship with nature.

Besides housing luxurious textiles, handcrafted ceramics, and contemporary sculptures by artists like Gabriel de la Mora, the entrance hall and living room are made lush and verdant with house plants, such as potted guava trees and a vase of flowering cotoneaster. Plant life is then complemented by furniture with natural materials like woven straw, wood, and bamboo, altogether creating a cohesive look that honors nature and everything it provides for humankind. Additionally, decorating your living room with plants like the Areca palm or snake plants can help improve indoor air quality, thus making your home a healthy sanctuary for your family and guests.

Overall, it's possible to visually represent the richness and diversity of Latin American culture by adding furniture and decor like sectional couches, archways, wall tapestries, and indoor plants in your living room. Continue reading Latin Post for more news and articles catered to the ever-growing Latino population in the United States.