Country Cottage Decorating

People wanting to bring a little country into their home often turn to country cottage decorating. We've got some great ideas to inspire you in your decorating endeavors!

Country Cottage Decorating

Country cottage decorating can look great in any home, whether that home is located in the country or in the city. In fact, many people love the cottage look because its decorating lines are clean and simple, yet pleasing to the eye. Creating the country cottage look isn't difficult, nor does it have to be expensive. With some fabric changes and furniture re-dos, you can create the country cottage look in just one afternoon for any room in your house!

Decorating Ideas

Using a country cottage decorating theme in your home often means bringing a little of the outdoors to the inside. Since visions of the country often include flowers and lots of greenery, creating this type of décor is easy with the help of some well-chosen pieces you may already have.

Furniture

A country garden usually includes some wrought iron or wicker seating. If you have old (or new) wrought iron and/or wicker chairs, settees, tables, rockers, etc., that you've typically used outside, bring them in! If they need a good clean-up, you can do so. However, if you are going for more of a shabby chic look, then don't worry if the paint is slightly chipped or worn. (Caution-Don't overlook the possibility that the chipped paint might contain lead. If so, you'll need to refinish the pieces before bringing them inside.)

Furniture colors typically include lots of white, but soft pastels look great, too. While country cottage decorating usually plays up these lighter colors, bright reds and brilliant blues have their place in this style of decorating as well, so don't overlook them as accent pieces and for accessories.

Other simple furniture pieces that lend a cottage look to the room include the following:

• Milk stools-Use as plant stands.
• Old trunks-Use as a coffee table with storage on the inside.
• Old sewing machine cabinets-Paint an old sewing machine cabinet a bright white and use as an accent table.
• Ladder back chairs-Mix and match ladder-back and cane-bottom chairs around an old kitchen table.

Fabric

Fabric plays a huge role in country cottage décor.

• Flowered chintz or soft chenille looks great as slipcovers and throw pillows.
• Soft cottons in stripes or solids also work well.
• Don't be afraid to mix and match stripes and floral for an eclectic look.
• Curtains can be as simple as several dishtowels draped over a curtain rod or long panels of white cotton tied back with a contrasting ribbon.
• Lace is often used in curtains, tablecloths, napkins, etc.
• For a farmhouse effect, consider choosing gingham material in red, yellow, green, or blue.

Accessories

Accessories really emphasize the country cottage look. They are fun and easy to use, and when you get bored with the placement of a particular accessory, chances are you can move it to another area of your home, and it will work just as well there.

• Old china pieces-Hang hand-painted china on walls. Use teacups as candle holders or planters.
• Hatboxes-Stack hatboxes in a corner, or use as an end table. Store little-used items inside.
• Old suitcases-In the same manner, stack old suitcases on top of each other to add character to the corner of a room.
• Quilts-Bring those quilts out of storage, and use them as throws, wall hangings, tablecloths and more.
• Rugs-Handmade needlepoint rugs will add a unique look of charm as well.
• Birdcages-Hang a birdcage from the ceiling or from a stand, and fill with bouquets of fresh or silk flowers.
• Ivy-Drape strands of ivy across the tops of your curtains, over mirrors, and in and out of chandeliers.

More Ideas

Finally, for more great decorating ideas, check out our many other decorating articles, like Cottage Decorating Ideas and Country Decorating Catalogs.

• Country Style Decorating Ideas
• Bathroom Design Pictures
• Interior Paint Color Combinations

• Country French Style Basics
• Common Themes for Teenage Bedrooms
• Designing for Small Spaces
• Basics of Color Design
• Asian Style Interior Design

• Country Style Interior Design
• Cottage Inspired Interior Design
• Country Home Decorating
• Cottage Style Furniture
• French Country Decorating