The country-cottage aesthetic embodies the sweet simplicity of the American countryside. Cheery and down-to-earth, the style places function over form and comfort over modernity with an emphasis on well-loved furniture, vintage-inspired patterns, and upcycled items. Keep reading to learn how to make this interior style your own.

Cottage Style Decorating Basics

• Color palettes featuring white, cream, light gray, and a rainbow of pastels.
• Cozy and easygoing textiles, like flannel, cotton, and linen.
• Homey patterns, like gingham, florals, and ticking stripes.
• Distressed, worn, or painted furniture and fixtures.
• Sun-drenched, airy spaces that bring the outdoors in.
• Original or reclaimed wide-plank wood flooring.
• Upcycled or vintage-inspired decor that pays homage to farm life.

How to Get the Country-Cottage Look

Now that you have a sense of the key elements of cottage interiors, let's dive into how to infuse these elements into your home.

1. Start With a Soft Color Palette

(Shop this image: country dining tabes, cross-back dining chairs, blue-striped table runners, and flower arrangements.)

One of the key characteristics of cottage style is airiness; despite their sturdy furniture and plush textiles, country-cottage rooms always look and feel bright and airy. Light neutrals (white, cream, and warm grays) reflect the bright natural light that streams into country-cottage spaces from their plentiful windows.

Pastel hues – mostly greens, pinks, yellows, and blues – maintain the room's lightness while adding just a splash of color. Color is most often found on accent decor rather than the main furniture. Concentrated colors, including sunflower yellow and cherry red, can be used sparingly on patterned decor or select pieces you'd like to highlight.

2. Incorporate Cottage Decor Staples

(Shop this image: blue plaid wallpaper, floral wall art, floral throw pillows, round dining tables, and rattan dining chairs.)

Add vintage charm to your home by adding cottage decor to your space. Think farmstand signs and floral wall art, ornate patterned pillows, worn watering cans reused as flower vases, wicker baskets, old metal buckets, and wooden crates used as storage containers.

3. Introduce Quaint Furniture Pieces

(Shop this image: settee sofas, pink velvet pillows, wicker coffee tables, cottage accent chairs, and blue wall accents.)

Define your space with cottage furniture pieces like skirted or slipcovered sofas, laid-back rocking chairs, charming display hutches, Windsor-style dining chairs, or wood tables with decadent frames. Wicker pieces are also a popular way to add texture and character to cottage-inspired spaces.

4. Look for Ways to Add Architectural Charm

(Shop this image: wicker bar & counter stools, cottage kitchen islands, and runner rugs.)

Country cottages are historically small, cozy, and well-loved homes. These quaint spaces are defined by exposed beams, mismatched large-plank wood floors or stone tiling, and wood shiplap walls or wainscoting.

Tip!

Another staple of a country-cottage home is a fireplace. Whether they're surrounded by painted wood paneling or exposed brick, they're sure to fill your home with timeless style.

5. Experiment With Whimsical Patterns

(Shop this image: striped ottomans & poufs, slipcovered sofas, yellow table lamps, jute area rugs, and wicker accent chairs.)

Traditional patterns – such as gingham, ticking stripes, toile, florals, and plaids – add color and personality to country-cottage homes. In these spaces, mismatched patterns can be combined endlessly to create a space that feels lived-in and loved. When combining patterns, try to vary the scale (size of the pattern) and maintain a relatively consistent color palette for easy mixing and matching. Looking for a foolproof pattern combination? Try a large-scale floral pattern and a smaller ticking stripe. We promise it'll do the trick! In addition to pattern, look for furnishings, throw pillows, or blankets with lacey edges, swooping stitching, embroidered eyelets, or ruffles.

6. Feature Natural Materials & Textiles

(Shop this image: country beds, green bedding, Oriental-inspired rugs, green wood chairs, and traditional writing desks.)

Complete your cozy interior design scheme with a bunch of natural materials and textiles. Wood furniture and decor are a cornerstone of the country-cottage style, as they infuse natural warmth into a space. You'll find warm, blonde-hued wood throughout country-cottage homes, whether in a large, family-sized farmhouse dining table or salvaged pine floors. In this style, wood is often stained to allow the natural grain to show through. Another popular treatment is painted and distressed wood, commonly found on accent tables, beds, or dressers.

When choosing natural textiles for your country-cottage home, consider cotton, wool, or linen fabrics for curtains, furniture upholstery, bedding, or floor coverings.

Tip!

Love this interior design style? Check out these similar aesthetics:
How to Design a Modern Cottage Home
What Is English Cottage Style?
The Ultimate Guide to Farmhouse Decorating Ideas

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