Cozy cottages make stunning living spaces. They combine warmth, natural materials, and coziness into a comfortable retreat from daily stresses. While you may think you need a major renovation to transform your home into a cottage, any style home can take on a natural cottage theme with just a few adjustments. Stumped on how to create a cottage dreamhouse with what you’ve got? The first step is to learn the best ways to amplify the cottage theme.
Choose Soft Pastel Color Palettes
Cottages are defined by their soft, warm feeling. Instead of choosing dark or vibrant color tones, consider softer alternatives like pastels or soft neutrals like cream. Soft yellow, pastel pink, or a gentle beige can really fill in a space like a storybook dream home. If you don’t want to commit to bolder colors, an accent wall or highlight can work nicely, too. Floral and gingham patterns can be great for furniture upholstery, hand towels, or other small accents.
Add Natural Accents
The best way to emulate the cottage feeling is to use natural materials to add a more rustic and handmade feeling. Unnatural materials like vinyl or plastic tend to break the cottage immersion. If you can, make sure any wood accents like exposed beams are easily visible in your home. Park model homes are a great example of that. Hardwood floors are also an excellent choice for a cottage-style home. Wood-carved shelves or reclaimed pine furnishings work well. Wicker and rattan furniture or decorations make a perfect cottage-like statement. Wicker baskets can make an ideal storage bin as a bonus.
Find Some Vintage Furniture
Cottages thrive on the vintage or antique look. Visit a local thrift, vintage, or antique store to see if any furniture items fit the theme you’re looking for. Even upcycled furniture pieces can add to the cottage vibe. If you’re strapped for cash, consider replacing smaller items like cabinet handles or doorknobs with a more vintage or antique feeling—even just a wood pattern accent can work excellently. You may even be able to repaint or reupholster your current furniture to change its theme a bit.
Incorporate More Fabrics
If you aren’t using fabrics in your cottage home, you’re not taking advantage of its power. Fabrics with floral or gingham patterns can utterly transform a house into a cottage cabin. Lay some accent rugs in your living room or bedroom to warm up the space. You can add cozy cushion colors or throw pillows for affordable options, especially if you make them yourself. A floral or animal-themed tapestry on the walls can also add a dramatic and charming touch. Don’t forget about some knit blankets or throws along the couch or on the bed for added comfort, especially during the colder months.
Get Creative With Plants and Flowers
A cottage isn’t complete without incorporating some natural flora into the home. If you’re not a fan of growing plants or hosting them indoors, you can always opt for some artificial styles made from natural materials. String some vines or garlands along a banister. Add a plant stand by a window. Hanging plants make stunning decor statements. You can also start small with some window planters; mason jars or bamboo containers can make beautiful rustic pots for herbs or tiny flowers. You can also add some pots and hanging plants outside to create a scenic outdoor garden. Dried flowers don’t require any upkeep and can provide some rustic country cottage allure.
Create Some Nooks
Cottages often have cozy, private spaces for reading, working, or relaxing. Reading nooks are easily recreated in a living space by adding some comfy cushions or furniture by a window or corner of the room, surrounded by shelving or storage space for convenience. You can also take a desk space and add some shelving, warm lighting, and windows for a simple DIY nook. Check your living space for windows, corners, or quieter areas for the perfect starter nook.
Warm Up the Lighting
Cool, overly bright lighting doesn’t match a cottage theme at all. If your lighting is too fluorescent, consider swapping your bulbs or light fixtures with some warmer colors. Think about mimicking candle or lantern light whenever possible. Dimmers, candles, and yellow bulbs can work excellently. Consider using some wrought iron or wood light fixtures for a rustic cabin touch. String lighting both inside and out can really add charm and magic to an area; as a bonus, most string lights are both dim and warm, like fireflies.
Spruce Up a Porch or Patio
Cottages need equally charming outdoor spaces to fit the theme and add function to a home. If you have an existing porch or patio, add some comfortable furniture, solar lights, wind chimes, and plants to create more immersion in nature. If you don’t have a patio yet, consider creating one. You can start with a simple table and chairs right in the grass or on a deck foundation if you want a bigger project. An outdoor swinging bench can add seating and cottage flair easily. Some charming, colorful shutters on your windows are also an easy way to make your home exteriors shine.
Conclusion
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to making your home into a cottage dreamhouse. The secret to any cottage style is comfort, personal touch, and cozy warmth. You don’t need a huge budget or to completely transform your home, either. Sometimes, the smallest changes can make the largest impacts. Add some pastel colors, plant life, and cozy textiles, and you can start the cottage home you’ve been longing for.