Cottage Style Furniture

For the feel of a casual, relaxed lifestyle, add cottage style furniture to your home.

Cottage style furniture combines the old with the new. It is unassuming and feels well-worn and cozy. Furniture that is cottage style is distressed and the finish is usually whitewashed or painted in white, cream or sage. Classic designs are bead board, shutter and panel styles. White pine, poplar, birch and oak are the most common woods used for cottage style pieces. Cottage style furniture has a vintage look and a romantic, casual feel.

It is common for a piece to serve multi purposes. For example a country cottage style farmhouse bench can be brought indoors to serve as a coffee table. A wicker rocking chair can add a cottage touch to a bedroom while an old trunk could be used as a side table. Try using an old cabinet as a television armoire or a well-worn table as a desk. Why not create a headboard from a white picket fence section? By combining second-hand finds with your existing pieces of furniture you can create an eclectic look and style that will be not only charming but interesting as well.

Upholstered pieces of furniture such as sofas, loveseats and chairs are done in overstuffed designs. They are accented by lots of throw pillows. Fabric choices are done in floral, plaid and stripes and are usually pastel shades of blue, green and pink. Red and white gingham fabric is common as is the color combination of blue and yellow. White remains a popular color in cottage style décor as well.

There are several different cottage inspired styles. Anything from country, French, English, rustic and even beach styles can be incorporated into your cottage theme. You can stick to one cottage style or add elements from the various styles to create your own cottage look. By blending the various styles and picking the elements you like best, you can create a unique look for your home.

Cottage style pieces are painted and distressed. The corner and edges are worn off and the wood is exposed. They are always painted in pastel shades or white or cream. Whitewash is the most common finish. By mixing and matching various pieces and colors, you can make your room have a one of a kind appearance.

Adornments such as glass knobs or rustic metal pulls add a cottage feel to a piece of furniture. The smallest touches can make a piece look unique. Accessorize your furniture with accents such as a vase of flowers, a lace tablecloth or a lamp with a vintage shade. Jar candles are also perfect compliment for a cottage inspired room. Hand painted picture frames or refinished mirrors can also be included in a room as accents to your furniture.

Begin looking in your garage or attic for hidden treasures. Scour flea markets and garage sales for one of a kind finds or check out the following online merchants for unique pieces:

• American Country Home Store
• Russell and MacKenna
• Pink Pig
• Cottage Home
• Marine Cottage

Cottage style decorating is becoming quite popular and furniture can also be found in retail furniture stores and catalogs. Furniture makers are creating cottage style bedroom sets, couches and chairs that are replicas of past pieces.

Remember that anything goes when decorating in a cottage style. Concentrate on a single room or carry the theme throughout your entire home. No matter what you decide, the most important thing is that your furniture is comfortable for you and adds uniqueness reflective of your own style and personality.

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