Okikiko.com – Cottages are meant to be lived in, so choose durable materials. Beadboard and wood paneling add character to a space while resisting dents and scratches. Mismatched patterns are a hallmark of cottage styles, such as florals, gingham, plaid and stripes.
Cozy Cottage Decoration Ideas
Incorporate family mementos and treasured collections for a cozy, homey feel. A plate wall or shelves displaying treasured cookbooks and mom’s recipe cards are great ideas. Cottage decorating ideas are all about comfort and relaxation. Incorporate a window seat into your cottage living room for a cozy spot to relax with a book or cup of tea. Add an oversized mirror to bounce light around the room and to add visual interest.
Muted neutrals and soft pastels are classic cottage colors for a airy, homey feel. But bold prints can also be used to introduce cottage style into a space. Opt for floral patterns paired with stripes or plaid to create a coziest effect. Layered area rugs and collected accessories evoke a well-loved and lived-in look. Adding cut-glass knobs to furniture refreshes the piece while injecting cottage character.
A smattering of fresh flowers and greenery is the ultimate finishing touch in a cottage room. Arrange a mix of stems and flower types in a variety of vessels like apothercary vases, chippy enamel jugs, and jam jars to create a pretty centerpiece for the table. The dining room is the perfect space for bringing cottage decorating to life. This style focuses on showcasing prized original features, from rustic beams to historic stone flagstones, while creating cozy, intimate spaces that feel broken in and lived in.
A Must in a Cottage Style Dining Room
Wooden furniture is a must in a cottage-style dining room. Opt for a weathered wood table and chairs, or an antique wooden bench for seating. Embrace natural wood floors, or layer rugs over them to add softness and warmth. Pretty patterns are also a cottage staple. Toile, florals, gingham, stripes, and plaids all suit this look. Layer these fabrics over a neutral background, like Little Greene’s North Brink Grey 291, for a look that is both sophisticated and relaxed.
For storage, opt for built-in shelves over cabinets. This will give your space a cottage-style feel while keeping everything within easy reach. Keep a few decorative accents around, such as antique frames or vintage dishware. These touches make your home feel genuinely special and unique to you. Add a touch of nature to a cottage bedroom with flowers, plants, and framed flora prints. Soft greens also coordinate with natural wood tones and textures. Layer woven and knit elements, like rugs and throw blankets, to enhance the cozy feel. For a feminine touch, lace and ruffles create a romantic look.
Incorporate antique and repurposed furniture pieces in your cottage decorating ideas to give rooms character and history. Look for weathered finishes, like a distressed or chipped paint finish on a dresser side table, to complement the natural feel of this style. Traditional patterns, such as toile, florals, gingham, and stripes, bring color, personality, and visual texture to a cottage design. Mix large, medium, and small-scale patterns to create balance and harmony. Use area rugs to define space and tie together furniture, wall art, and decor. Keep in mind that rugs can make spaces feel smaller, so choose them carefully. For maximum impact, rugs should be proportional to the room size.
Great Background for Displaying Coastal Art
A bathroom with character makes a perfect cottage space. This room is often a self-care sanctuary, wellness center, and “spathroom” all in one, so don’t be afraid to bring in more natural elements for comfort and style. White beadboard is a bathroom decorating essential, and a great backdrop for displaying coastal art and beachcomber treasures. Mixing pattern styles is also encouraged as a cottage’s interior often resembles a life’s collection, like Leanne Ford’s vintage vignette of a typewriter and an old dresser used as a vanity in this bath.
Don’t be afraid to use deep colors in a small cottage space. These rich shades can look especially bright and cozy when paired with natural textures and fresh flowers. Here, a patterned wallpaper from Colefax and Fowler in Wooded Dell coordinates with chippy enamel washstands and jam jars filled with garden and hedge row blooms. A standard vanity would have cramped this bath, so a wall-mounted sink and simple shelf maximize floor space. If you wish to send your article to okikiko.com, you can check out this page!
