There is something inherently comforting about a cottage style house, from the charming addition of family mementos to its simplistic charm that perfectly blends into its rural surroundings. There are plenty of ways to add cottage-style elements to your existing home, or even build a new home in a cottage style, from the construction of your building to your décor choices.
But First… What is “Cottage Style”?
Cottage style can almost be thought of as a mindset rather than just an interior design style. The homeliness and comfort of the look is also the way many people want their homes to feel. Additionally, cottage style is unpretentious and highly practical, which is again the way many people want to live. The open expression and celebration of everyday items, mismatched furniture, and imperfections create a liberating and relaxing space, truly worthy of being called “home”.
Why We Love It
The personal touches seen in cottage style homes are instantly inviting, prompting you to get comfortable. Cottage style also allows the resident to inhabit the space fully, not having to worry about whether the home is “minimalist” or “contemporary” enough.
Building a Cottage Style House
If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful plot of land, you are able to build a home that perfectly embodies the country lifestyle and the cottage style. First of all, work with a builder that specializes in country style homes and cottages, to ensure your dream design comes to life. From miner’s cottages with attics to blue gum cottages, you can truly feel at home in a specially-designed, Aussie cottage home. Your builder will work with such traditional designs, and utilize hardy materials such as weatherboard and beautiful timbers to create a rustic-looking and highly-functional home.
Decorating with Cottage-Style Elements
Once you’ve built your cottage-style home, or if you’re simply wanting to bring some touches of the countryside to your existing home, your choice of décor and styling is essential to bringing the cottage-style character to your home. Some of the elements you can incorporate into your home décor or interior design to encapsulate the spirit of cottage-style homes include:
- Shabby chic: Although the term “shabby chic” is somewhat outdated now, there are still elements of it that are highly applicable to cottage style house plans. This includes mismatched furniture, faded prints and casually rumpled fabrics that create a homely, lived-in feel. However, remember to balance rustic pieces with new ones to prevent your home from looking neglected.
- Soft colors: Cottage style is defined by soft shades and clean, fresh-out-of-the-wash materials. White, ivories and creams are the classic foundational colors, while pale pinks, blues, and other soft shades can be used to create dimension.
- Patterns and materials: The patterns and materials you choose can have a huge effect on the overall feel of your home. When it comes to cottage style house plans, opt for floral and gingham patterns and cotton, linen or burlap materials that bring some texture to the room. Aprons, flour sacks, dishcloths and other practical items are also great for adding a natural element to the home.
- Vintage furniture: Beautiful vintage furniture, be it genuine or replica, is the quickest way to add serious style factor to your home. Think wrought-iron beds, repurposed suitcases, and timber bookcases, to name just a few statement pieces. If you have found a vintage furniture item that looks a little too decrepit, try going over it with a coat of paint to bring it into the current century.
- Don’t forget the flooring: It can be easy to overlook the flooring when designing and decorating your home, even though it is actually an essential contributor to the look and feel of your cottage style house. Wall-to-wall carpeting, for example, is likely to look very out of place in a cottage style house. Instead, opt for rustic materials like stained or natural timber, or even brick or stone. If using rugs, stick to the natural theme by going for braided cotton.
- Bric-a-brac: Knick-knacks, sentimental ornaments and décor pieces are by far what gives your cottage style house the finishing touch. The best thing about country style, when compared to other interior design styles, is that your décor items can come together more naturally, including hand-me-downs, op-shop finds, and market treasures. This contrasts with other more deliberate styles, allowing you to naturally fill up your home.
Author: Ashley Kinsela
