Cottage Home Style Guide

An Outline For Creating Your Cozy Cottage Retreat
Cottages conjure images of quaint smaller-sized homes with loads of character and inviting cozy style. While a typical cottage is usually a one-story home with a small porch, bay windows, stone or stucco work, and shingled roofs, a definitive rule on the cottage style is open to interpretation. No matter the size of your space or the location you can still bring cottage home decor style to your residence. The characteristics that make a cottage home so charming are the personalized elements, featuring the natural decor, and embracing a mixture of nature-inspired colors that complement handmade and antique furnishings and accessories. This style and size of space can be perfect for those who are downsizing. And although the close quarters are cozy and comfortable, the cottage style is also very practical and functional. Follow along for a full outline and an all-inclusive cottage home decor style guide.

Defining Cottage Style
The overall feel is one of rustic charm, simple living, and a gathering space for family and friends, all touched with a hint of the romantic. You’re looking for a welcoming vibe with a whisper of whimsy.

• Showcase original features.
• Connecting and honoring the rural landscape.
• Cozy, homely spaces.
• Original cottages are replete with stone, irregular angles, ceiling beams, and wood floors.
• A color palette inspired by nature.
• Simple patterns and materials.
• A diverse mixture of antique and handmade home furnishings and crafts.
• All combined to give cottage interiors unique character.

History
It was the European nobility who made romantic rustic living a vogue idea as they used these county-side homes as escapes from city life. Thus these sweet little abodes are scaled-down versions of the opulent manners from which the nobility stems. In more modern times, the cottage style has attained popularity with its comforting design elements that can recast your home into a bucolic farmhouse oasis.

COTTAGE HOME DECOR STYLE GUIDE
Color: Wall Paper & Paint

• Start with a pastel color palette; pastel blues, pinks, and yellows.
• Take inspiration from nature; earthy neutrals and shades of green.
• White in all its iterations: off-white, cream, ivory.
• Choose pops of color found in a wildflower garden: dusty rose, violet, magenta.
• A floral wallpaper in an entryway, bedroom, or bathroom is another easy way to bring in loads of natural elements.
• Don’t be afraid to personalize each room with its own style. Find one element to maintain cohesiveness, such as a color, a furniture theme, or a decor accent.

Light
In close-quarter spaces, you do want to allow in as much natural light as possible so keep your window coverings on the lighter side. Build on natural light with some ambient lighting additions such as groups of candles, strands of fairy lights, table lamps, and wall sconces to keep the glow romantic and soft.

• Light linen drapery is a welcome inclusion.
• If patterned drapery is part of your design theme, you can do a double curtain or layer of hanging curtains. One with the richer detailed choice and one with a sheer layer behind that. This allows privacy and light at the same time.
• Sheer curtains also impart a dreamy romantic tone that’s part of a cottage-style home.
• A beaded or glass-enhanced chandelier would be at home in this type of cottage decor.
• Make sure to include a stunning candle centerpiece (antique silver, wood, hand-crafted) in the dining room area.

Textures & Materials
Adding elements of soft, comfortable textiles in every room of the cottage-inspired home will make your space feel inviting and welcoming. Piles of blankets or quilts in wicker baskets are the quintessential cottage accents.

• Classic quilts
• Cotton blankets
• Hemp pieces
• Knit throws
• Macrame
• Soft pillows
• Wool area rugs

Furniture
The cottage home decor style is all about an eclectic vibe so don’t worry too much about matchy-matchy pieces or getting rid of anything you love if you’re redecorating.
Rustic vintage home furnishings are raw wood looks, reclaimed wood, and stained and painted wood. Bold unpolished pieces that delight in highlighting nuances of different wood grains.

• Leather furniture.
• Wicker furniture.
• Wood furniture.

Cottage Art Accents
Cottages in the country embrace the surrounding flora and bring those elements into the home.

• Paintings of landscapes, flower still lifes, and other such inspired artistic pieces fit into a country-style rustic cottage theme.
• To add other types of art but keep it cottage-inspired, select frames that go with your overall decor aesthetic.
• Choose wooden frames in neutral colors or white-washed woods.

Cottage Nature Accents

• Bouquets and vases of wildflowers in every room, from the kitchen to the powder rooms to the main room will add instant cottage appeal to your decor.
• A self-planted herb garden in the kitchen is perfect.
• Hang dried flowers and herbs from a wooden dowel.

Cottage Cutlery & Kitchenware
Shopping in secondhand stores and flea markets is the perfect way to find those eclectic pieces of antiques and rustically styled pieces to add to your cottage kitchen decor.

• Antique dishes.
• Authentic china and cutlery (mismatched is ok).
• Copper pots.
• Hanging racks.
• Retro tea kettle.

Beach Themed Cottages

Another category of cottages is the ones that line the coasts of the country. Many different themes and styles are found in this genre. A quick summary:

• Coastal Farmhouse - here farmhouse meets coastal cottage in a harmonious design.
• Coastal Chic - a touch of urban or boho personality greets the seashore.
• Coastal White - a casual monochromatic-themed space with layers of texture.
• Key West - bright and fun colors of tropical vacations in the islands.
• Mediterranean Coastal - European formality in a seaside setting.
• Nantucket Coastal - traditional, classic, comfortable, and timeless.
• Nautical Style - the feel of being at sea without a boat.
• Shabby Chic Coastal - reclaimed elements and secondhand finds with a feminine twist.
• Whimsical Coastal - eclectic and quirky on the beach.

COLORS
Coastal colors reflect the seashore, the beach, and the sky. White, blue, green, tans, and sunset shades.

FLOOR COVERINGS
A beach cottage home does well with tiles, stone, or the new age of vinyl flooring options that are weather-resistant. Area rugs in natural open-weave fibers like sisal, seagrass, and jute evoke a beachy mood.

FURNITURE
Beach cottage style is going for a laid-back, yet sophisticated look. There should be a welcoming, comfortable feeling. Wicker and rattan furnishings are also quite typical tropical pieces to impart a beachy vibe.

LIGHTING
Open windows and natural sunlight are the epitome of a beachy cottage style. Naked windows are best where possible. Look for lighting that is embellished with sea influences such as twine, brass, wicker, glass, coral, and seashells.

ACCENTS
Let your personality come out. If it’s bold, paint a reclaimed furniture piece in a glossy bright coral or teal. Or if it’s subtle, organize a display wall or shelf with your favorite items. Mix newer pieces with older items.