Decorate In A Cottage-Style

Posted By on March 4, 2011

If you’re looking to create a light, airy look in your home, cottage-style décor is a perfect choice. You can easily create a budget-friendly, comfortable, beautiful home with this type of decorating. You can transform your current look into a vintage look for very little money, no matter what style of home you live in. Do you just adore rooms that look as though they float on the breeze? Then you should definitely try out this look, as you’ll be sure to love it.

Use Light Colors
Key to the creation of this look is the use of light colors. A common misconception is that white is the only color used in this décor. But using soft pastel shades of blue, aqua, yellow, pink, and green combined with a healthy dose of white will make the room just as light and airy, while the color provides interest and depth.

Make Great Use of Paint!
One of the most affordable things you can do to make a dramatic change in your home’s appearance is painting. In a cottage-style décor, you can paint your walls one of the pastel colors mentioned above. Paint opposite walls only and leave the other walls white for a truly original look. Then paint your baseboards with a contrasting shade.

Paint is also a great way to create furniture that looks worn. All you need to do to create that vintage look is to take a coffee or end table, paint it a pastel color or white, and sand the edges lightly, giving it an antique feel. Flea markets and garage sales often have great bargains on small tables.

Surprising Floors
When most people consider flooring, they think of wood, tile, or carpet. Wood floors are preferable with a cottage décor. Any type of wood will do, although light-colored wood planks are best. You might paint them a shade of your choosing or leave them as is.

To create a unique and inspiring look, consider stenciling the perimeter of the floor or your own area rug. If you go with carpet, if it’s light-colored, then that will work. Just use vintage-looking rugs to anchor your furnishings.

Create Interest with Furnishings
Furniture can either be old or new. Try to keep the wood light in color if you’re going with new furniture. Furniture upholstered in small pastel floral prints is particularly warm and inviting. Toss throw pillows on your sofa and chairs, mixing and matching the patterns. Whatever you like will work here.

When it comes to mission style bookcases, end tables and coffee tables put your imagination to work. Do you have an old door out in the garage? Then you can do whatever you like with it: cut it down, paint it, sand it, or stencil it. Once you add legs, you’ll have a coffee table unlike any other.

Think Simple When You Accessorize
With this design style, accessories can be anything you like. However, you want to avoid overdoing it, as you don’t want to end up with rooms that look messy or cluttered. Just place a few simple pieces you enjoy around the room. For the perfect touch, fill a simple white vase with wildflowers. This simply stack a couple of old books on an end table and place the vase on top. Or try a small lamp with a beaded lampshades to complement this look.

When you look at cottage décor, it really has no rhyme or reason to it. Just be sure you love all the furniture and accessories you choose, and it will all end up falling together. Just have fun and enjoy this beautiful look that ends up costing very little.

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