10 steps to new cottage style
Get the country cottage look with the latest ultra faded vintage fabrics, scrolling ironwork and rose accessories
It's no wonder that cottage-style decorating is always a favourite as country style provides such a wide range of decorating options. Play up the cosiness factor in your home with our colour, pattern and design updates. Take a look at our 10 favourite designs for some inspirational and easy to achieve looks.
Floor-length floral curtains add a dash of country style to any room. Curtains are ideal for the hallway as they will stop any drafts blowing in and add a laid-back charm to any space. Team with stone or tiled flooring.
Add a row of pretty metal hooks in the hallway for storing all those essential for an authentic country feel.
If you have a small living room, adding a country feel to the space really works. Choose a compact vintage-style sofa and armchair, accessorise with a patchwork throw and cushions. Marry the look with an upholstered footstool and team with natural wood flooring and neutral walls. Accessorise with a simple posy of English country flowers on the windowsill or mantelpiece.
Create a country-style home office with a simple vintage-style desk and chair in pastel tones or natural wood. Accessorise with floral folders and an enamel ceiling lamp. Paint walls a neutral hue teamed with painted wooden floorboards.
Fill a painted cupboard or armoire in the kitchen with simple chinaware for a homely cottage feel. Add your favourite mismatched crockery for a relaxed country style.
A daybed is a lovely addition to any home. Layer with cushions and quilts and enjoy afternoon tea on the verandah on a summers afternoon. Complete the country look with and old-fashioned teapot and three-tiered cake stand.
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Arrange metal chairs around an outdoor table freshened up with a floral tablecloth for an impromptu al fresco evening meal. Complete the country look with freshly cut English roses in a simple jug.
1/10 Dining al fresco
For outdoor eating, choose a faded floral tablecloth and metal garden chairs softened with sweet, frilled seat cushions.
Find metal dining furniture at Marston & Langinger. Visit Cabbages & Roses for gorgeous floral tablelinen, and Cath Kidston for ditsy floral tableware and this vintage radio.
2/10 Hooks – Live Laugh Love
Decorative wirework details give an authentic country feel. A row of hooks also makes a pretty display.
Find pretty country accessories like these at Live Laugh Love and Decorative Country Living for this Rosebud heart, £14.
3/10 Curtains – country cottage decorating
Hang a flowing door curtain to add a dash of pattern to a hallway. Continue the rose theme with a soft throw and an embroidered lampshade.
GP & J Baker sells a great range of floral fabrics and Isobel Stanley stocks delicately detailed items like this lampshade. Find woven chairs at Marston & Langinger.
4/10 Country flowers – country cottage decorating
Combine two essentials by choosing a useful canvas bag a must for shopping and storage with a timeless rose print.
Snap up this cute floral design at Cath Kidston.
5/10 Country box – country cottage decorating
Cut out blooms from wallpaper and greetings cards to create pretty decoupage boxes for storing keepsakes.
Make your own decoupage box with our step-by-step country craft idea
6/10 Living room – country cottage decorating
Keep small sitting rooms fresh and modern with a mixture of compact and nostalgic country-style furniture. Cover a sofa with patchwork and add a striped footstool to keep the look authentic.
Find a patchwork fabric like this at JAB Anstoetz and team with furniture from The Dormy House. Choose accessories from Cabbages & Roses and Daylesford Organic for a cottage-style feel.
7/10 Home office – country cottage decorating
Make a work space feel relaxed by mixing vintage furniture with a little pattern and colour.
Cabbages & Roses sell pretty floral stationary thats perfect for this look. Find rustic furniture, like this desk, at Daylesford Organic for a cottage-style feel.
8/10 Country cabinet – country cottage decorating
Display a collection of hand painted and sponged rose china in a painted cupboard for a homely cottage feel.
Find a country-style cabinet at Pimpernell & Partners. Visit Lavender & Sage and Decorative Country Living for a gorgeous collection of chinaware.
9/10 Daybed – country cottage decorating
Layer quilts and linens in muted patterns to create the perfect spot to take tea or two.
Find a daybed like this at Victorian Dreams. Cabbages & Roses stock a wide range of country cottage-style fabrics and try Rosehip in the Country for vintage country quilts.
10/10 Paint – country cottage decorating
When it comes to paint, choose colours in creamy, chalky shades and an accent of statement pink.
Visit The Little Greene Paint Company. Or check out our ways to update your garden with pastel shades.
Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
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