Cottage style decorating is one of the most loved styles of decorating for many homeowners. With a strong cult following among its enthusiasts, iced tea tables, cottage decor lamps and cottage decor accessories have long transcended even its local boundaries, becoming popular iced tea-table favorites throughout the world. Even your iced tea sets, lanterns, wall sconces and other accessories can be considered part of this exciting style. In fact, you may feel some of the cottage decor ideas you’ve read and heard are really you’re own.
A common idea that comes with the cottage style is the use of bright, cheerful floral prints and textures. This includes the use of bright pinks, violets, yellows and blues, as well as softer hues like browns and greens. Although many floral arrangements are simple, more elaborate versions can be created using lace, ribbon and lace trim, as well as beaded or painted flowers. These types of floral displays can often be paired with whimsical candle holders, especially those that resemble flowers in a bowl, such as peonies or gardenias. To create a unique take on this decorating style, you can use coordinating candles in the same way.
Because cottages are known to be more homey than other styles of furniture, they tend to be a bit more casual and comfortable than other decorating styles. For example, many people chose not to use luxurious hardwoods, but instead used soft, comfortable chenille or velvet curtains and throws. Because these fabrics are so comfortable and welcoming, many people choose them over more expensive, stiffer fabrics. In addition, you may want to keep in mind that your curtains and throws can be washed and dried in a machine, which is not always the case with more costly fabrics. Linen and other more expensive fabrics should not be dried in the dryer, because they may not be sturdy enough to withstand the heat.
Walls are an important part of the cottage decorating theme, especially in the living room. Soft, pastel hues and light colors are often recommended for walls, because they help set the tone of the cottage. You should also pay attention to the color of the wallpaper, because it can have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere. Many people choose to paint their walls a neutral, monochromatic color, such as cream or off-white. Other people like to decorate walls with a rich, vibrant color scheme, which may include colors such as red, yellow, purple and green.
A neutral palette will give your room a greater depth of color than one that is full of bold colors. Neutrals are the styles of colors that are most often associated with cottage style. They are usually made of cotton, linen, chiffon, and wool. These fabrics will feel warm and inviting to you, which is exactly what you want to convey through your living room.
The furniture in your cottage style home should be comfortable, but it should also be timeless. Natural elements are very important when it comes to furniture, because they balance out the blues and greens that are sometimes used to decorate. Choose pieces that are made of solid wood, such as pine, cedar or spruce. Look for soft fabric or even plush fabric that matches your colors for the cushions. Use cushions with a simple, clean pattern; patterns that are intricate or that include too many colors tend to look dated.
If you have a dining room, you will want to use accent tables, which are smaller than side tables. accent tables work well with shiplap chairs and wicker furniture, since the shiplap chair can be placed on top of the table. In order to make the most of your accent table space, use wicker or other similar furniture as a runner up the walls. Place a few accent tables at various points along the wall, and use the rest of the room for more relaxing, casual decorating. Wicker furniture is a classic choice for accent furniture.
Cottage decorating is simple if you choose simple styles. Remember that cottages were designed for cozy, cottage-like environments, so you will need to keep this in mind when you are decorating. If you are planning on using lots of bright colors, choose an accent color for your wall, couch, or chair. Be sure not to overdo it with colors! Remember that cottages were built to be cozy, so make sure that you keep these ideas in mind when decorating.
