The essentials of cottage-style decor
- Cottage decor is a simple, rustic and natural style built around wood.
- Furniture is made of stained, distressed or white-painted wood; accessories follow a graceful and elegant aesthetic.
- The authentic colour palette includes green, orange, brown and beige, inspired by autumn and the rich colours of the earth.
- Preferred natural textiles are wool, cotton, linen and felt.
- Cottage style can be adapted to chic country, modern, mountain or Mediterranean settings.
What is cottage-style decor?
Cottage decor is a simple, rustic and natural interior style inspired by chalets, with wood taking centre stage. If you do not have a timber-framed house, incorporate wooden surfaces into your home or apartment to recreate the look in style.
Cottage decor: simple and rustic
Nothing compares to a chalet with simple, natural decor. If you do not have a timber-framed house, choose decor that allows you to recreate the look in style by using natural materials such as wood. Incorporate wooden surfaces into your home or apartment.
Which furniture should you choose for 100% natural cottage decor?
Choose furniture made of stained, distressed or simply white-painted wood. The watchword is wood: this noble material should be highlighted in every room. Accessories, meanwhile, should be selected with grace and elegance in mind.
To establish cottage style in your home, choose furniture made of stained, distressed or simply white-painted wood. Accessories, meanwhile, should be selected with grace and elegance in mind.
The watchword is wood, so be sure to highlight this noble material in every room of your interior.
Image source (1): houseandhome.com
Arrange the dining room with a large table made of solid wood, accompanied by chairs or benches with a clean-lined design. It is important to showcase this room, which becomes the centrepiece when you have guests over. So do not hesitate to decorate it!
Image source (2): myhomeideas.com
For the kitchen and living room, you can give your furniture a fresh look with light colours such as white, beige and its various shades, while highlighting your beams or other wooden elements. This type of decor will create a warm, harmonious and unique atmosphere in these rooms.
You can also use reclaimed barn wood. This type of recycled old wood comes in various natural colours: brown or grey. This material can therefore suit different decorating themes.
Seek advice from a professional carpenter or a general contractor if you wish to carry out renovations. They can help you with this type of project and provide the best advice for completing it.
Which colours and fabrics work for cottage decor?
The colour palette that gives cottage style its authenticity includes green, orange, brown and beige. For textiles, favour natural materials: wool, cotton, linen and felt. Take inspiration from autumn colours and the rich colours of the earth.
Combining fabrics and colours
To create the distinctive character of cottage style, it is important to carefully choose the colours, textiles and accessories that will enhance your rooms.
To bring a welcoming atmosphere and charm to your bedroom, choose so-called “botanical” colours that evoke nature, woven fibres, wood or wrought iron… accessories such as an antique clock, trinkets with floral patterns or a rug made from natural fibres.
For bedrooms, you can furnish them with large four-poster beds made of wood and pair them with bed linens combining patterns and coordinated colours.
Image source: materials-world.com
The colour palette that gives the style its authenticity includes green, orange, brown and beige. Take inspiration from autumn colours and the rich colours of the earth. To complete the look of each room, favour natural textiles such as wool, cotton, linen and felt.
Can cottage decor be modern?
Yes. There are no limits to creativity: cottage style can be adapted to chic country, modern, mountain or Mediterranean settings. The harmony and atmosphere of your home will be created through your choice of furniture and accessories.
There are no limits to creativity; you can move from a “chic” country style to a modern, mountain or Mediterranean style.
The harmony and atmosphere of your home will be created through your choice of furniture and accessories.
These few tips will turn you into an interior decorator in the blink of an eye!
Share your favourite interior design accessories for a cottage-style home.
FAQ: cottage decor questions
What is the main material used in cottage style?
Wood. The watchword is wood: furniture made of stained, distressed or white-painted wood, exposed beams and natural wooden surfaces in every room. Reclaimed, recycled barn wood comes in brown or grey.
Which colours work for cottage decor?
Green, orange, brown and beige give cottage style its authentic character. In the kitchen and living room, light colours such as white and beige give furniture a fresh, updated look.
Which textiles should you choose for a cottage-style home?
Natural textiles: wool, cotton, linen and felt. A natural-fibre rug and home linens combining patterns and coordinated colours complete the look of each room.
How should you arrange a cottage-style dining room?
With a large solid-wood table accompanied by chairs or benches with a clean-lined design. This room becomes the centrepiece when you have guests over: showcase it and decorate it.
