How to create a cottage style home: 13 cottage decorating ideas: cottage decor and design ideas

13 cottage decorating ideas: cottage decor and design ideas

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(Image credit: Neptune)

Are you looking to decorate a cottage? Or do you simply love cottage decor ideas and style and adore swooning over chocolate box homes? If so we’ve got plenty of inspiration for creating this cosy look in your home, however large your space.

From stylish wall colors and finishes to pretty but practical flooring and window treatments to characterful decor schemes to copy, these cottage decorating ideas are the perfect place to start planning your scheme.

See: Cottage kitchen ideas – design inspiration for homely spaces

What is cottage style?

Cottage style is all about showcasing and preserving prized original features as well as creating cozy, homely spaces. Small but beautiful, cottages are awash with historic stone and timber floors, rustic ceiling beams and quirky angles, and its these elements which give cottage interiors their unique character.

Prized features of the rural landscape, chocolate-box cottages are entwined with geology and the landscape, so taking decorating inspiration from the natural surroundings is a fitting place to start thinking about a scheme. Think colors inspired by the nature, botanical prints and an eclectic mix of handmade and antique wooden furniture.

1. Decorate in earthy, natural tones

(Image credit: Vanessa Arbuthnott)

Cottages are inextricably linked with their rural setting and brimming with natural materials with soft weathered textures so what better palette to decorate in than with the gentle colors of the countryside?

Here, Little Greene’s greenish neutral – North Brink Grey 291 – sets a relaxed mood and a calm foundation for furniture in a mix of Vanessa Arbuthnott’s nature-inspired fabrics including a vintage german sofa in Fruit Garden Straw, Pigeon, Charcoal and armchairs in her May Blossom Pigeon/Charcoal.

Don’t miss our cottage lighting ideas for pretty, practical solutions.

2. Mix and match wooden furniture

(Image credit: Susie Watson Designs)

Embracing natural materials is the perfect complement to the rustic features of a cottage, as Susie Watson, founder of Susie Watson Designs , explains.

‘Using natural wood furniture, connects a space to its surroundings and adds character,’ she says. ‘Antique furniture can blend well with newly bought furniture, don’t worry about matching the color of the wood just make sure the era of the pieces feels coherent.’

3. Choose warm, earthy colors

(Image credit: Future / Brent Darby )

Cottage style is all about creating that warm welcome and homely feel. Choosing warm shades based on natural earth pigments is an easy way to enhance the mood of a space; try creams, and earthy stone and honeyed yellow shades through to warm plaster pinks and rich terracottas for instant coziness.

When decorating an old cottage with original plaster it is advised to use a breathable formula made such as Edward Bulmer’s Natural Paint , for similar shade to the above try Brick.

For cottage kitchen ideas, don’t miss our inspiring image gallery.

4. Choose a Shaker-style kitchen

(Image credit: Devol)

Based on the Shaker principles of simplicity, utility, and craftsmanship, the elegant proportions and fuss-free, linear design of Shaker kitchen cabinetry make it perfect for a humble cottage, mixed in with reclaimed unfitted pieces for a relaxed feel.

If low ceilings are an issue, limiting storage mainly to base cabinetry is a good way to keep a cottage feeling bright and open, while also allowing beautiful stone walls to stand out, as this beautiful deVOL kitchen proves.

(Image credit: Devol)

Cottages are loved for their warm and welcoming feel, and key to creating this is including a rustic farmhouse table and chairs for social gathering, as Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL explains.

‘The charm of a cottage kitchen is often the quirky and eclectic mix of old and new that gives the feeling of a cosy and welcoming space. A vintage kitchen table and chairs is a must, all cottages need a spot for chatting and drinking tea and the ubiquitous jug of wild flowers.’

6. Fill your home with garden flowers

(Image credit: Future / Brent Darby / Styling Pippa Blenkinsop)

When it comes to cottage style ‘fresh garden or hedge row flowers are a must and can mark the difference between urban and country living,’ reveals Vanessa Arbuthnott.

For a pretty floral centerpiece on your kitchen table, gather a selection of vessels in different materials and sizes such as apothercary vases, chippy enamel just, jam jars and stoneware pots and fill with your fresh pickings. Don’t worry about stems being different lengths or about colors clashing, this variety of blooms jostling for attention is key to the quaint cottage look.

See: Cottage garden ideas – pretty ways to embrace rustic style outdoors

7.

Decorate with heritage prints

(Image credit: Future / Kasia Fiszer)

Pay homage to the beautiful rural setting of your cottage by decorating with papers and fabrics that capture the charm of the countryside. William Morris – artist, designer, poet, socialist and ‘Godfather of the Arts and Crafts Movement’ – created hundreds of designs that celebrate the beauty of nature.

Mostly created around the late 19th-century, his stylized flora and fauna prints are still available to buy today, in original and refreshed colorways, and are the perfect way to bring the beauty of nature into the bedroom.

8. Add in upcycled vintage furniture

(Image credit: Future / Kasia Fiszer / Styling Pippa Blenkinsop)

The great thing about creating a cottage look is that it can be created on a shoestring using vintage pieces and a bit of imagination. Easy to come by at specialist furniture shops and flea markets, dated brown furniture can easily be refreshed with some chalk furniture paint into original and rustic pieces, as this pretty desk proves.

Don’t worry about the finish or the wood color, instead look for beautiful shapes that will shine once painted. When you have spotted the perfect piece, simply sand down, coat with Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint and sand again once dry to create this weathered French look.

9. Choose a traditional, curvaceous sofa

(Image credit: Susie Watson Designs)

With elegant curves and a Howard-style silhouette, this small Classic sofa from Susie Watson Designs is a great choice for zoning a snug kitchen-cum-living room, and is layered with paisley, ticking and statement floral cushions, plus a wool throw, for a cozy cottage feel.

10. Get retro with your textile treatments

(Image credit: Vanessa Arbuthnott)

Thought that the curtain pelmet and sink skirt were things of the past? Think again if you’re looking for cottage bathroom ideas. Vanessa Arbuthnott shows how these vintage-style designs can look fresh and stylish in this bathroom using her pretty mix and match fabrics. To stop the look feeling too cutesy, embrace contemporary color combinations, such as the the Dark Hay/ Charcoal colorways of these French Ticking, Herbaceous Border and Dainty Daisy fabrics.

See: Cottage curtain ideas – inspiration for a pretty, cozy home

‘The yellow and grey botanical fabrics bring the countryside in and the pretty striped frill around the sink softens and warms up the space too.’ says Vanessa. ‘The bathroom is given a light and airy feel, with its painted wooden floor, and free standing bath.’

11. Paper with romantic botanical wallpapers

(Image credit: Colefax and Fowler)

Prints inspired by nature are a mainstay of quintessential cottage interiors. A master of timeless style, Colefax & Fowler is the go-to brand for romantic botanical prints. New from its Jardine Florals collection, Greenacre features distinctive fan-like gingko leaves with dancing blossoms to produce a contemporary foliage design, and is available across wallpaper. For a vintage botanical bedroom try using this Leaf Green colorway wall to wall, as well as on a quilt, chair and valance.

12. Use a neutral palette to highlight rustic features

(Image credit: Neptune)

There’s something truly magical about sleeping up in the rafters. Let original oak beams stand out against a palette of simple neutrals or pastels. Complement the rustic patina of aged wood with a natural seagrass carpet, then try delicate patterns, such as Neptune’s Emma linen in Sage for upholstery and cushions.

‘As spring is on the way, natural colours like pinks and greens, complement the light and contrast harmoniously against darker greys,’ says Amber, home designer at Neptune . ‘Alternatively, an all-white look can go a long way in lifting the room to create a lighter space, and our Grace scatter cushions are perfect for adding a little texture.’

13. Create a cozy reading spot

(Image credit: Future / Jody Stewart)

There’s lots of Marie Kondo-inspired talk about living clutter-free these days, but when it comes to cottage interiors, a little clutter is a good thing. Shelves of books make homes look cozy and lived in. Having bookshelves floor to ceiling in the living room will keep books organised and will mean they’re close at hand when you want to curl up with one by the fire.

This feature was created by H&G’s sister brand, Period Living magazine

Subscribe to Period Living for more inspiration
Period Living is the UK’s best-selling period homes magazine. A subscription provides you with all you need to know about caring for and improving a traditional house and garden.

Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.

10 cottage style home ideas: how to create the cottage look

Real Homes is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us.

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

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From the honey-coloured limestone cottages of the Cotswolds, to the whitewashed crofts of the Scottish Highlands, British cottages offer beautiful expressions of vernacular architecture through the ages and are awash with original architectural features that deserve to be celebrated.

Whether you have a traditional cottage that you’re looking to renovate, or a more modern home that is crying out for some instant country cottage charm, use these ideas to help inspire a quintessential cottage scheme.

Find out more about how to renovate a house of whatever period in our practical guide.

Top: this beautifully restored Georgian cottage has been sympathetically restored

1. Create a cosy and inviting cottage living room by adding a wood-burning stove

Set the tone for snug nights in with a classic cast iron stove. While up to 90 per cent of the heat from an open fire can be lost up the chimney, a stove benefits from increased efficiency, radiating more heat throughout the room.

For more information check out our essential guide to choosing a stove

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

2. …then choose a traditional sofa to curl up on

With its curvaceous design inspired by the antique Howard models, this Alwinton sofa from Sofas & Stuff is both elegant and relaxed. Available in four-seater through to two-seater sizes, as well as a love seat option (great for those tight on space), it also comes in a range of fabrics, such as linens, wools, checks and tickings, to complement the rustic cottage look.

Explore more of this charming Wiltshire thatched cottage, and find more sofas for small living rooms in our buying guide.

(Image credit: Jody Stewart)

3. Create a classic cottage kitchen by mixing Shaker cabinetry with vintage finds

For a timeless look, mix and match classic Shaker cabinetry with unique vintage stand alone units. Whether they’re family heirlooms or flea market finds, vintage wooden sideboards, tables, plate racks and cupboards have an inimitable character which perfectly complements the rustic features of a country cottage. Team with classic built-in units in classic cream and you’ll have a look which will stand the test of time.

Check out how to design a vintage kitchen for more advice, and be inspired by our favourite Shaker kitchen ideas.

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

4. Create a focal point with a classic range cooker

A classic range cooker has become an iconic feature of a cottage kitchen. Historically many rural cottages were served by heat storage range cookers such as Agas and Rayburns , that would have provided radiant heat for the entire house. Today there’s a wide range of sizes, fuel types to choose from, as well as an infinite number of finishes and colours.

For more information on buying a range cooker, see our guide.

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

5. Make the most of architectural features

If you’re lucky enough to own a period home you’ll want to show off its unique character. Rather than plastering over original stone walls, or hiding original beams with faux ceilings, incorporate these features into your interior design. However, if doing this, be sure to add softness with textiles and furniture. With its upholstered headboard in uplifting yellow, the Laura Ashley Houghton bed really helps soften the rustic surfaces in this Welsh cottage bedroom.

Find inspiration for your scheme with our favourite traditional bedroom design ideas.

(Image credit: Colin Poole)

6. Layer up chintzy floral prints for a classic cottage bedroom

Nothing says English cottage style like a profusion of old-fashioned floral prints. For a really quaint country look try them on wallpapers, curtains and bedding. Laura Ashley , Sanderson and Clarke & Clarke will have have plenty of options, alternatively head to the flea markets to find original designs you can’t find in the shops for a unique vintage look.

Tour this traditional cottage for more decorating ideas.

(Image credit: Huntley Hedworth)

7. Choose a freestanding roll top bath

More from Period Living

(Image credit: Period Living)

Period Living is the UK’s best-selling period homes magazine. Get inspiration, ideas and advice straight to your door every month with a subscription .

When you have beams as beautiful as these in your bathroom, you’re bound to want to spend hours soaking in the bath admiring them. A period home must-have, a roll top bath will really enhance the traditional feel. Salvaged originals are available from reclamation yards, along with new traditional cast iron models. However there are also lighter and more affordable fibreglass alternatives on the market, all with a range of finishes as well as feet and plinth options.

If you’re thinking of installing a roll top bath in a cottage then be sure to check that your floor doesn’t need reinforcing, as older properties may not be able to support the weight, particularly if it’s a cast iron model.

For more inspiration see these 11 freestanding baths for traditional homes.

(Image credit: Andreas von Einsiedel )

8. Create rustic charm with wooden panelling

Tongue and groove panelling is a brilliant way to capture the country cottage look, especially when painted in a classic green/blue or dug egg shade. For custom panelling try The English Panelling Company .

For more inspiration and advice, head to our panelling design gallery.

(Image credit: jeremy Phillips)

9. Fill your home with fresh flowers

Whether single stems in bud vases of a beautiful bouquet of English garden favourites, fresh flowers are the perfect finishing touch to bring the cottage look to life. A bunch, plucked from the nearest meadow would be lovely, but who has time for that when the likes of Bloom & Wild can do it for you, and deliver straight to your door!

But if you do have time… find out how to grow your own cutting garden in our guide.

(Image credit: Bloom & Wild)

10. Create a chocolate-box entrance

A key component of a cottage facade, front doors contribute hugely to their sought-after, unique character and charm. Whether a solid wood plank design, framed four-panel Victorian design, or 1930s style with upper lights, if your cottage still has its original door, then try wherever possible to preserve it rather than replace it. Find out more about maintaining period front doors in our guide.

To enhance that quintessential, chocolate-box feel try framing your entrance with climbing plants such as wisteria or roses and adorn the steps with plenty of potted cottage garden favourites.

(Image credit: Stuart Cox)

More cottage inspiration:

Real home: a spectacular stone cottage is transformed with upcycled finds
Real home: a 17th-century thatched cottage restoration
14 charming cottages

Pippa is Style Editor for Period Living magazine and spends many a weekend exploring the Cotswolds for decorating shoot ideas. A collector at heart, she is currently looking for a vintage cabinet to store her favourite wares.

Top 20 Tips for Making Your Home Look Like a Cottage

By Casey Watkins | Published on Mar 11, 2021

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There comes a point in everyone’s life when you are so completely ready to get away from it all. You start daydreaming about secluded cottages during work and spending your weekends trolling Airbnb when you should be cleaning. Well, imagine coming home to a cottage every day. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

There are certain things that most cottages have which you can easily add to your own home’s exterior. Take a look at these 10 tips for making your home look like the cottage everyone else daydreams about.

20 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like a Cottage

1. Front Door

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Believe it or not, the front door you choose is important when you’re going for that cottage vibe. If you want your home to seem open and airy and welcoming, you’ll definitely want a front door with a large window. (via Our Town Plans)

2. Screen Door

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Yes, we’re still talking about your front door because screen doors are the second piece to the puzzle. All cozy cottages have one. It lets the fresh air and birdsong inside while letting the smell of a delicious dinner and the sound of family laughter drift out. Bonus points if someone in your home plays the piano. (via On Sutton Place)

3. Porch Plants

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While most English cottages leave off a front porch, many American cottages have them. Yay for more decorating space! Putting some greenery on your front porch is an easy styling addition and adds a homey feel. I recommend Boston ferns if your porch is shady. (via BHG)

4. Porch Seating

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Doesn’t that look like just the place you want to curl up on Saturday afternoons? You can have that on your porch too with a wicker chair, some pillows, and a blanket. It will make the perfect place for a good book or a chat with a friend over two lemonade glasses. (via The Cottage Market)

5. Painted Trim

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You’ll notice that so many cottages have their windows painted a complementing color besides white. Who knew that such a little bit of color would give a home so much charm and vintage feel. (via Mother Earth Living)

6.

Shutters

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Buy them. Build them. Whatever you do, put some shutters on that up and coming cottage of yours. It’s a simple way to add a lot of interest to your home’s exterior. (via House of Turquoise)

7. Window Boxes

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You might think this is a different view of the picture above, but it’s not. Just goes to show that the most charming cottages have window boxes. You can plant flowers in front and herbs under your kitchen window. How’s that for a practical yet decorative tip? (via Kruse’s Workshop)

8. Climbing Plants

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Ivy, roses, clematis, if it climbs, it will be good for the cottage feel of your home. It may take a year or two but the results are worth the wait. (via Country Living)

9. Stone Path

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Stone is another important element in the cottage style. Most of our homes are not actually made of it, so we have to find other ways to incorporate it into our exterior decorating. A stone path serves for interest or even a stone edge to a flowerbed. (via BHG)

10. Flower Beds

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Doesn’t that look like where you want to spend your vacation? Stone path, gorgeous flowers, cozy seating. Every cottage has a flower garden, big or small. So start cultivating your green thumb so you can make yours a garden to envy. (via Home On The Range)

11. Add Fairy Lights to Your Garden

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The garden is so often neglected when thinking about changing the atmosphere of your home. Hanging a few strings of twinkling fairy lights over your patio or garden, as demonstrated by Gardening Etc, can create a cozy atmosphere for night-time outdoor gatherings. It will add more light to your garden, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a barbecue or a family dinner outside. It can also create a welcoming first impression for your home to make it have that approachable feel that’s typical of cottages.

12. Antique Knobs for Wall Hooks

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Marc & Mandy shows us how to create this lovely project, which will add the perfect cottage-like touch to your entryway. Antique doorknobs can be added throughout your home, but they make a great wall hook for hanging coats and hats by your front door. Look for knobs that have floral or pastel patterns and colors, which you can then add to any dresser or room in your house. This is a simple way to spruce up your home décor without spending a fortune and can also bring new life to antiques that may otherwise be discarded.

13. A Breakfast Nook

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Cottages make the most of every space they have, and a breakfast nook is an ideal way to recreate the feeling of being in a compact space. Hunker shows you how to make a DIY breakfast nook to fit in any space. To create the look and feel of a cottage, try to keep your colors light and bright, and maybe add some floral materials to the chairs. You don’t want the breakfast nook to be too bulky or dark, or it will detract from the overall aesthetic you are aiming for.

14. A Bright and Colorful Bedroom

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Transform your bedroom into a fun and lively space by painting it bold and bright colors like this bedroom from Country Living. Even in the middle of winter, you’ll feel like it’s a lovely summer’s day, and it will boost your mood every morning when you wake up. The bright walls can be accompanied by a lively bedspread, which will add even more fun to your bedroom. If you don’t fancy using this design for your master bedroom, opt for a colorful guest bedroom instead.

15. Wooden Kitchen Decorations

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As the heart of most homes, your kitchen should be a focal point when considering a cottage aesthetic. We love this wooden kitchen sign, which adds to the cozy atmosphere of your home. It will help to make even the most modern and large kitchens feel more homely, which is what a cottage is all about. You can create this project from The DIY Plan yourself or find a similar ready-made one to purchase online.

16. DIY Cottage Chic Desk

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If you need to have a desk in your home for work, this DIY cottage chic desk from Marc & Mandy is both practical and beautiful. You won’t feel like adding a desk ruins the atmosphere you are trying to create, thanks to its small size and distressed look. Paint the desk any color you please to fit in with your home decor. We think this blue color looks fantastic on a small desk, and it can easily fit into any corner of your home or office.

17. Repurposed Window Photo Frame

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I Am Momma Hear Me Roar shares the ideal DIY project for anyone looking to create a cottage-like feel in their home. These photo frames are made from old windows, so it’s a great project to recycle something that will otherwise be heading for the trash. These photo frames would look great in your living room or bedroom and will add a cozy feel to any corner of your home.

18. Add Beams to Your Home

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Better Homes & Gardens shares this DIY idea for adding rustic wood beams into your home. They can make even the highest ceilings feel cozier and cottage-like. While this may seem like a huge undertaking, you’ll be surprised to learn the project is not as complex as you may think. You’ll use whitewood boards which are held together using nails and wood glue. After staining the wood, it will look just like reclaimed wood.

19. DIY Rope Baskets

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While cottages often have a lot of ornaments and decorations, you’ll want somewhere to store books and magazines that may otherwise clutter up your home. We love these DIY rope baskets from Craftsy Hacks, which are so easy to make using a cardboard box. Alternatively, add baskets to your home, which can be used to store anything that’s cluttering up your space.

20. Decorative Seashell Bottles

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When you think of cottages, the beach probably springs to mind. If you are looking to recreate that beachy and relaxed atmosphere in your home, why not add some decorative seashell bottles around your space. Crafts by Courtney shows us how to make this simple project that kids will love helping you with. All you’ll need to get started are some glass bottles of various shapes and sizes, sand, seashells, and a glue gun. These would look great on the windowsill in your living room or bedroom.

Conclusion

By following these ideas listed here today, you’ll be able to transform your home, so it feels like you are living in a cozy cottage. Regardless of the size and design of your current home, these little additions can be applied throughout your living room, kitchen, and bedrooms to create a warm and welcoming environment.

The cottage aesthetic can easily be created by recycling and reusing furniture, which can be painted or distressed to achieve your desired look and feel. When transforming your home into a cottage-like feel, don’t forget to add some simple touches to your garden. This often overlooked area of our home can create a welcoming first impression which will make your family feel like they are stepping into a cottage wherever you are in the world.

5 Easy Ways To Add Cottage Curb Appeal – No Matter How Old Your Home

Five easy DIY ways to add welcoming cottage curb appeal to your house and landscaping, no matter when your home was built! Includes before and after photos from a 1970s ranch-to-cottage remodel for cottage exterior ideas.

As you’ve probably figured out, I like a bit of cottage around here – or farmhouse cottage as I call it since moving to a 1900’s farmhouse.

To me a cottage isn’t necessarily a certain style, but more a mixture of a lot of styles – a place where everything you love lives together beautifully.

It usually includes at least some classic, vintage, and time-honored decor and architecture, both inside and out.

And most importantly, the outside of a farmhouse cottage should be welcoming, cheerful, and, yes, even a bit imperfect (which is perfect for me…).

But what if you don’t have a cute, old house?

What if it’s a 1970’s or 80’s ranch? Or a plain white builder’s special?

There are a few key things you can do yourself to add cottage curb appeal to your home no matter when it was built and increase the value while you’re at it!

How To turn a Ranch Style House Into a Cottage

Our first home was a 1940s bungalow in a large city – it had cottage charm built in that we could easily bring back to life.

But our second home ended up being a 1982 ranch house.

While it had a few key things going for it that I knew we could work with, it also had a lot of the exterior characteristics you often see with houses from that era – mainly a prominent garage and a front door that wasn’t easy to see or access.

Both of which aren’t very curb-friendly.

I’ve always been drawn to bungalows, farmhouses, and other small, older houses but this ranch house was in my semi-rural hometown – and we could afford it – so even though the exterior looked like your typical ranch house built in the late 70s-early 80’s, I knew it would work for us.

First Impressions

The main impression you got from driving up was a large garage with a house attached…somewhere.

This was not only because of the architecture, but also from the plantings that obscured the windows and doors.

Which was not very welcoming, to say the least.

However, since what I really wanted was a farmhouse/cottage – and for me it’s not just a certain house style, but a mentality that welcomes people from the outside in – I saw the potential in the home’s good bones and large windows.

Through our years of DIY remodeling of the house, we discovered that it takes relatively simple changes to help a plain-Jane house become the cottage you’ve always wanted – really!

One of the biggest compliments I ever received was when a visitor asked what year the house was built, since it looked old. Mission accomplished!

Here’s how to make the outside of your house look like a cottage, using pretty simple DIYs projects to make any age home have curb appeal.

5 Ways To Add Cottage Curb Appeal To Any House

1. Make The Entry Welcoming

When we first moved into this house, our friends and family couldn’t find the door.

Literally.

Once they figured out it was behind the tree (yes, it really is somewhere there in the left photo above), they’d often wade through the ground cover and duck under the tree in order to get to the door from the circular drive.

Since wanting people to feel welcomed was a top priority for us, this was one of the first outside projects we accomplished.

We cut down the tree, built a wood porch right over the cement stoop, added a step leading to the door and a path from the circular drive made out of broken concrete from an unused dog run on our property.

Cottage Exterior Ideas: Tips for Making a Welcoming Entry

Other than making sure people can find your front door, simple ways to create a welcoming entry can include:

Painting the door a contrasting color.
Including a pot of seasonal flowers or greenery.
Making room for a bench or chair (we used our bench for leaving items out for people, setting down bags to unlock the door, and taking off muddy shoes).
Updating the light fixture.
Sweeping out the cobwebs regularly.

2. Plant a Welcoming Flower Garden

Don’t underestimate the power of plants and flowers to make a house feel like a home. And to welcome – or not – people to that home.

Notice in the before picture, above left, how the original plantings hide not only the door but the windows.

We’re not even talking about how dark and dreary the inside would be – only how it seems to visitors.

Keeping plants low to allow the windows and doors to be visible creates a “please stop by for a chat” message rather than a “shades drawn, don’t bother me” one.

Tips for Creating Cottage Curb Appeal Landscaping

A front garden doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Here are some ideas to keep it simple and easy-care:

Use evergreen plants like boxwood, arborvitae, or bird’s-nest spruce.
In the shade garden above, you’ll find spirea, hostas, hydrangeas and Jack Frost brunnera – all needing only a once-yearly shearing and adequate water. (See more shade garden plant ideas here.) For sunny gardens, consider yarrow, daylilies, sun-loving spireas, Autumn Joy sedum, and low growing roses (the Knockout variety are some of the easiest care roses). (See the easy plants I’d grow in every garden here.)
Fill in with a few inexpensive annuals for spots of color that last all season.
Make upkeep easy by watering with soaker hoses and using newspaper and mulch to keep the weeds down and hold in moisture.

(You can find more of my easy-care gardening ideas and tips here – it’s the only way I garden!)

3. Beef Up Window Molding (Best Way to Make the Outside of Your House Look Like a Cottage Inexpensively)

Replacing narrow window moldings with larger ones goes a long way to helping your windows become more prominent and open, not to mention make your house look older and better made.

In the picture on the left above, it’s easy to tell our house was built in 1982, isn’t it?

The windows have almost non-existent trim, which was even more noticeable because the front included a set of three windows. Having siding between the windows and small trim really minimized them.

Less than $50.00 of trim later and about a days work, the main window could be on a craftsman-style house, or farmhouse from years ago.

I loved the difference!

We also removed the lap siding that was only on this section and continued the board-and-batten siding which helped the front of the house look cohesive.

We eliminated the small, plastic shutters on all the front windows and increased the width of the trim on the two front bedroom windows (which you can see in the previous pictures of the garden).

Making the window trim wider was one of the best simple, inexpensive updates we did to the front – it really made a difference in bringing cottage style to this rancher!

4. Add a Porch – Any Size

Okay, a porch is maybe not the simplest or least expensive way to add cottage character to your home, but it really provides a lot of bang for your buck, doesn’t it?

While a long or wrap around porch is a dream, any size porch adds character, even if it’s a simple roof over a front door.

In the case of our ranch’s original ‘porch,’ the less-than-four-foot-wide walkway to the door seen on the left above was actually a hinderance to getting things and people in and out the front door.

Thankfully, the porch roof was just wider than 6 feet so we could simply move the posts and beams out 2 feet to gain an actual, functioning porch.

We then added a wooden porch floor right above the concrete steps and siding, along with porch railing which went a long way to creating great curb appeal.

TIP: If I were to do it again, however, I probably wouldn’t go to the expense and maintenance of adding a railing since it was less than a foot to the ground – hindsight is 20/20 here!

Simple Pergolas Add Character, Too

For our garage addition’s porch, we lowered the expense some by constructing a simple pergola structure that connected to the original porch, since adding a roof is one of the most costly parts of a new porch.

We chose to cover ours with a clear roofing because we live in a wet climate, but it would also look lovely left open or used to grow grapes or a flowering vine.

5. Freshen With Paint

Lastly, a time-honored way to update a house is with paint!

As you can see in the above photos, our house went from gray to butter yellow. What I like most about the brighter, cheery color is how the plants and flowers stand out against the yellow background.

How to Pick a House Paint Color

Things to think about when choosing a paint color include:

Upkeep (the dirt on lighter colors vs. darker; fading in strong sun, etc.).
How plants and greenery will look against the color.
Your climate.

For me and where we live, that meant I didn’t want a gray house because our skies are gray for probably 8 months of the year.

I also wanted a color that would make the garden around it pop a bit more.

Go here to see how we chose our yellow house paint color.

In the end, choose a classic color YOU love that will complement all the other steps you’ve taken to give your house cottage character.

Then you will have a place where your friends and family will feel welcomed – and you will, too – no matter what year your house was built.

What ways do you like to add cottage curb appeal – or any kind of curb appeal – to your home?

Want to see more of our ranch-to-cottage remodel? Check out the full tour here.

We’ve since purchased a 1900 farmhouse that we’ve been remodeling – you can see the before tour and our progress on this page.

This article has been updated in 2019 and 2022 – it was originally published in June of 2013.

15 Ways to Get the English Cottage Look

Love the idea of bringing warm, cozy English cottage style home, but don’t want to break the bank to do it? While you may dream of splurging on a claw-foot bathtub and roll-arm sofa, thankfully (for your wallet) that’s really not necessary. English cottage style is more about creating a mood than about checking off a list of must-have furniture. Here are 15 ways to revamp and refresh your home’s interiors with paint, vintage finds and creativity.

Hendricks Churchill

1. Change the mood with paint. Muted, drab tones like mouse’s back, wheat and duck-egg green are ideally suited to English cottage style. Try painting your kitchen cupboards and trim to match, and paint the walls one shade lighter.

2. Swap hardware for sturdy bin pulls and wooden knobs. Changing out the hardware on kitchen cupboards or a dining room built-in can make it feel like you have new cupboards. Channel an English country cottage with classic bin pulls or smooth wooden knobs.

Richardson Pribuss Architects

3. Embrace workhorse textiles. Every fabric shop carries a wide assortment of solid fabrics in airy voile and gauze (perfect for floaty window treatments), checkered and ticking stripe cotton, and sturdy canvas at a low price per yard. If you don’t sew, you can use iron-on hem tape to make quick no-sew curtains and tablecloths; if you do sew, it’s not too hard to turn out your own pillowcases and duvet covers. Get creative with other easy-to-find, cheap fabrics as well — burlap can cover bulletin boards, and muslin, typically used in pattern making, can be used for curtains and for pillow covers primed for embellishing.

4. Roll out a rag rug. Rag rugs came about as a creative way to reuse scraps of fabric too small to sew into garments, and to put old, worn-out clothes and home textiles to work again. Today rag rugs are widely available and are quite inexpensive. But if you really want to save, try looking up a tutorial online for a DIY rag rug and craft your own using soft old T-shirts.

Hendricks Churchill

5. Use a rich color on walls and trim. Vibrant yet slightly grayed hues, like this lovely spring green, call to mind old and well-loved cottages tucked into the British countryside. Paint the trim, walls and cabinetry the same hue for a seamless look.

Hendricks Churchill

6. Try colorful trim. White walls and floors create a freshly scrubbed setting, allowing the pale duck-egg green trim to take center stage in this serene bedroom. A simple wooden bed, a pitcher of wildflowers and a white crocheted bedspread enhance the country cottage charm. Pale spring green, butter yellow or lavender would also work well.

7. Paint the floors. A floor painted a solid color adds style and freshness to a room for less than the cost of a new rug. Try painting the floors of a guest room, study or sunporch a cheerful spring green or pale sky blue.

The Painted Home

8. Trace on a checkerboard pattern. Painting older, worn wooden floor can be a cost-effective way to create a new look. A checkerboard pattern is fairly straightforward to accomplish and looks right at home in a kitchen, sunroom or child’s bedroom. Black and white, blue and white, and yellow and white are foolproof combos to try. Don’t want to paint your floors? Try out the pattern on a basic natural-fiber rug instead.

9. Cover plumbing with a café curtain. Not so fond of your lower cabinets? Replace a few of the doors with cute café curtains. They are not expensive, but if you can whip them up yourself, so much the better!

Jean Longpré

10. Bring in small treasures from nature. A bird’s nest, a pile of pretty stones, shells from the seaside — reminders of the natural world are an essential ingredient in any cozy cottage home. See what you can find in the natural areas near your own home … treasure hunting should be part of the fun.

Jean Longpré

11. Set up a table on the porch. On a pleasant day, it can be so lovely to bring your breakfast or lunch out to a covered porch. Any old table and chairs will do. Cover the table with a homespun cloth like a ticking stripe or feed sack material, set out a vase of cut flowers or interesting foliage, and use any mismatched china you like.

12. Hang simple barn lights. Barn-style lights can be found at every price point, and they work just about anywhere. Try them on a covered porch and in the kitchen, bathroom and mudroom, for starters.

CapeRace Cultural Adventures

13. Create windowsill vignettes. Sometimes the tiniest details can make a huge difference in the way a room looks and feels. In the bathroom try swapping out your standard washcloth for a hand-knit version, plunk a garden rose in a water glass and display pretty little vases or bottles where they can catch the light. Line up seashells in a kitchen window; prop a tiny painting and a jelly jar of flowers in a study window.

Jean Longpré

14. Keep bedding simple. A neat, well-tucked bed with white sheets and wool blankets is refreshingly simple. Include just a hint of romance with crochet-edged pillowcases and a posy of roses on the nightstand.

15. Embrace cottage garden romance. Fragrant plants like roses, lavender, jasmine and honeysuckle will lift your spirits every time you come home … even if they are in pots on your patio and not running free in a vast English garden. The mood is the important thing.

Tell us: Do you love cozy cottage style?

30 Ways To Bring Cottage Style To Your City Home

Decorating & Design

May 18, 2016

We may not all have cottages to escape to come summer, but that doesn’t mean we don’t dream about drinks on the dock, casual family meals over rustic farm tables, or freshly picked wildflowers perched on our windowsill. With a few simple tweaks to your city home, you can enjoy your own summer oasis without ever having to leave your backyard. While cottagers are bracing the dreaded traffic up to the country, you’ll already be sipping a summer cocktail while relaxing in a charming wicker chair.

Create a mini oasis. Just because you don’t have a dock to watch the sunset on, it doesn’t mean you can’t find summer refuge on your patio or balcony. Here, a lattice fence offers privacy in a city backyard, while a black and white color scheme is a sophisticated take on summer living.

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: House & Home August 2012

Designer: René Wikkerink and Terry Ryan

Don’t shy away from well-worn pieces. Opt for furniture that looks like it’s been weathered over time, like this moveable island on casters with a painted base and wood top.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home AAD Kitchens & Baths 2015

Designer: Margot Austin

Add subtle wooden touches. If you’re not ready to go full-on country with your kitchen island, try bringing in a hit of wood on one side. Alternatively, look for antique wooden stools or pantry doors to make a memorable statement.

Think on the bright side. For a less permanent cottage fix in the kitchen, try wood stools painted in a bright hue. These sunny yellow stools look like something you’d find at a cottage, yet they aren’t too rustic for a city home.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay

Source: House & Home March 2014

Designer: Lisa Moody

Seek stripes. A red and white striped duvet like this one offers an instant hit of nautical style, even if you’re far from the waterfront.

Find more editor-approved nautical accessories.

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: H&H July 2013

Designer: Holly Meighen

Incorporate a quilt. If you prefer a more traditional take on cottage style, a quilt may be the answer. Swap those heavy winter linens in favor of chenille and matelassé fabrics with a lighter weight.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home July 2013

Designer: Joel Bray

Look for a farm table. Family-style meals served around a communal table feel quintessential cottage. If you’ve got the space, look for a farm table like this one from 1925 Workbench that will look great year-round.

Photographer: Virginia Macdonald

Source: House & Home September 2015

Designer: Le Nguyen and Rock Huynh

Have fun with fabrics. If you don’t have room for a farm table, try creating banquette seating instead. And if that’s not in the cards, fabrics with cheery yellow, blue and white patterns look great in any seating area, big or small.

Photographer: Tracey Ayton

Source: House & Home July 2015

Designer: Michelle Gemmill

Update your table linens. Bring the yellow, white and blue theme to your dining table. Fun patterned fabrics in this color scheme have a carefree aura about them that’s reminiscent of relaxed cottage meals.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home July 2013

Designer: Joel Bray

Look for live edges. You may already have a wooden cheese board, but look for one with a living edge for a true rustic feel. Boards like these are easy enough to find at most home decors stores in the city, yet they look like something you’d find in cottage country.

Photographer: Ashley Capp

Source: House & Home June 2012

Designer: Emily Norris

Install a sliding barn door. Forgo a traditional door in favor of a sliding barn door for instant cottage appeal. Even though this requires a bit more commitment than some of our other suggestions, the result is worth it.

Photographer: Tracey Ayton

Source: House & Home July 2015

Designer: Michelle Gemmill

Or go bold with a brightly colored barn door. Chartreuse offers a fresh and modern take on the traditional country door.

Photographer: Virginia Macdonald

Source: House & Home Decorating With White 2016

Designer: My Le Nguyen and Rock Huynh

Go au naturel in the bathroom. Keep the modern country look going in the bathroom by bringing in a few accessories with subtle cottage style. Sally Armstrong chose to add a weathered wood stool and woven African platter (hung on the wall) in her principal bathroom.

Photographer: Virginia Macdonald

Source: House & Home Ask a Design Kitchens & Baths 2015

Designer: Sally Armstrong

Go for a garden-style sink. If you’re willing to make a more permanent commitment to cottage style, look for a sink like this one. Even though it has undeniable cottage appeal, we think it looks quite at home in this uptown Toronto bathroom.

Photographer: Kim Jeffery

Source: House & Home May 2013

Designer: Patsy Bell

Give traditional cottage touches a mod city spin. Sisal rugs look great indoors and out and have durable style. In this kitchen, a striped sisal rug and antler-inspired pendant bring the cottage look to the big city.

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: House & Home March 2014

Designer: Maia Roffey

Say hello to the farmhouse sink. Another sink that achieves the quintessential cottage look is none other than the farmhouse sink. While we admit, this requires some more planning and commitment, farmhouse sinks will continue to give you a chic cottage feel for years to come.

Photographer: Janet Kimber

Source: House & Home March 2014

Designer: Kenneth McRobbie and Colin Blanchard

Make way for wicker. If there’s one material that screams cottage charmer over the rest, it’s wicker. While wicker chairs are traditionally used for porches or sun rooms, this city living room proves they work indoors too.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home August 2012

Designer: Vi Jull of French Country

Look for waterside mementos. Pair your wicker chairs with blue-hued artwork and things that remind you of being by the water. Here, a shell acts as a bookend and a trio of vintage lanterns add a nautical note.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home July 2013

Designer: Joel Bray

Love linen. If wicker chairs aren’t your thing, another natural material that conjures up summer living is linen. Dress up a linen sofa with bright throw pillows, swap out heavy drapes for lighter alternatives and place trinkets like coral or stones on the coffee table.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home July 2013

Designer: Joel Bray

Bring linen to the bedroom too. The carefree look of linen lends itself to the bedroom as well. Just like at the cottage, you don’t have to worry about ironing your linen bedding. In fact, wrinkles are what makes this easy-breezy summer look complete.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay

Source: House & Home June 2013

Designer: Nancy Riesco

Embrace nature in your artwork. You probably wouldn’t spend a ton of money on artwork at the cottage, and you can also get away with cheap and cheerful prints at home. Here, a friendly bird print from a junk store looks elevated in a light wood frame.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay

Source: House & Home June 2013

Designer: Nancy Riesco

Play with blue and white prints. Forgo plain linen in kids bedrooms to keep them youthful and fun. Instead, try blue and white polka dots in different sizes offset with classic white for a cottage and kid-friendly look.

Photographer: Michael Graydon

Source: House & Home June 2014

Designer: Samantha Sacks

Bring on the weathered wood. Another key component of the cottage-in-the-city look is wood, and not just any wood. Look for pieces with some history and character and if they’re a bit battered up, all the better!

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home July 2013

Designer: Joel Bray

Incorporate barn board. If weathered wood speaks to you, but you don’t have a farmhouse to call your own, bring in some barn board to achieve the look in your city home. This well-worn wood siding from a barn in Muskoka makes a statement next to a staircase in a Toronto home.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home June 2012

Designer: Tara Fingold

Add some antiques. Old treasured furniture always seems to find a happy home at the cottage, but pieces with history are suited to city homes too. The original patina of an antique painted dresser like this one offers up a charming focal point.

Photographer: André Rider

Source: House & Home March 2014

Designer: Scott Yetman

Sprinkle in summer mementos. Snapshots from summers past, perhaps spent at a cottage, can make you feel like you’re right back on the dock in an instant. Keep the memories alive even while you’re in the city by hanging seasonal photographs right where you can see them.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: Hosue & Home July 2013

Designer: Joel Bray

Go for gingham. If family photographs aren’t your forté, frame some ferns with a checkered mat and you’ll nail the country look in any room of the house.

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: House & Home July 2011

Designer: Michael Penny

Display fresh flowers. Show off some fresh wildflowers that look like they were growing next to a country road.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay

Source: House & Home June 2013

Designer: Nancy Riesco

Stay true to blue. Another way to display fresh flowers with a waterside feel is in blue glass bottles. It doesn’t matter if they’re different shapes, sizes or shades of blue either!

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home July 2014

Designer: Natalie Hodgins and Kate Stuart of Sarah Richardson Design

Make your own stone-filled doorstop. Before you close the door on cottage-in-the-city style, we have one more thing we suggest you try: an easy DIY doorstop. This one involves a humble mason jar and white stones that could very easily be collected while up at a cottage — or even in an urban park.

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Source: House & Home June 2014

Designer: Trish Johnston

Up Next

10 Nautical Finds To Get You Excited For Summer

Design project of a country house

Design project of a house

Architectural studio “Design-Moscow” develops projects and interiors of country houses, combining comfort, beauty, comfort and functionality in the design project.

Interior of a country house

In many ways, the interior of the rooms in the house depends on the general style, facades and planning solutions of your country house. At the planning stage, the architect thinks over the interior space of the interior. The general concept of the architecture of the building is reflected in the design and decorative elements of the interior.

Interior design of a country house

When designing the volume of a house, the style of the interior is laid. Classic interiors suggest symmetrical spaces, while Modern, Minimalism and Hi-tech hold the interior up with proportions and asymmetrical elements. What style do you prefer? What color combinations would you like to see in the interior of your home? Which interior space is cozy and conducive to relaxation for you? Do you like to sit in solitude by the fireplace or gather friends by the fireplace and talk about yourself and listen to their stories, jokes and laugh and relax together? How would you like your home to be?

Country house styles

When designing and building country houses, different styles are loved and implemented, but we will talk about the most popular ones.

English Classic House

English Classic was originally formed as an aristocratic country house style. The interior is dominated by natural materials. The key role is given to the tree: wooden floor, wooden cladding on the walls, and most importantly – processed beams or caissons on the ceiling. To embody this concept in an apartment is not easy, agree? Plus, among the mandatory elements is a fireplace. Elegant items are used as decor: hunting trophies and guns, forging, leather sofas, classic bronze chandeliers.

Large panoramic windows add light and emphasize the privacy of the country interior and the unity with nature.

Country house interior design

Classic style house

Classic style is an excellent choice for country houses. It looks best in rooms that have a large area and the ability to equip a fireplace. It is important to use natural materials, solid wood is ideal. In a country house, you can make a home library, a fireplace area with armchairs and blankets, decorate the walls with landscape paintings.

Classic country house

Loft style house

Industrial style , or Loft , needs a multi-level space without partitions, with high ceilings, large windows, stairs, open ventilation systems. A room with a mezzanine or a full-fledged second floor is the best area for implementing the idea.

Loft-style country house

Scandinavian style house

Scandinavian style also gravitates towards naturalness and abundance of free space. Large windows and white walls help to achieve this. A light background is diluted with bright color spots: textiles, lampshades, cabinets or chairs.

Scandinavian country house

High-tech houses

Individual house project

Order a design project for a country house

Country house design styles

Design project of a country house

To build a house of your dreams and live in it is probably the dream of every person. Having your own house, you get many advantages – neighbors do not make noise behind the wall, the car is always in convenient proximity, you can have a picnic at any time, and much more. And if you decide to take this step, then the very first thing you will have to face is house projects. This stage, which is one of the most important stages of construction, requires a professional and competent approach. After all, this is a very individual process, depending not only on our desires, but also on many other things.

Development of an individual house project

That is why at a meeting with the customer, in order to find out your needs and wishes, we ask a lot of questions and find out all the subtleties and details of future construction. After that, the Architects draw several sketches of the future house. Starting from the Terms of Reference, we draw several layout options, draw options for the stairs – a connecting element of the floors of the house, and also make adjustments and clarifications as the design work progresses.

Project of a country house

Firstly, the architect faces a large-scale task. The concept should include both stylistic solutions for facades and interiors, as well as engineering solutions, functionality, aesthetics and basic style features. Attention is paid to every detail!

Draft designs of individual houses

Secondly, architects get the widest scope for creativity both in planning decisions and in creating the volume of the whole house. A country house is stairs, multi-level spaces, high ceilings, large windows, and most importantly, a significant area. You can profitably beat styles that are difficult to apply, even in large areas of apartments.

Country house in classical style: country house interior design | Design studio Darya Misiura – Moscow

interior design in classic style

August 23 at 12:58
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A country house in a classic style is the dream of many people. Statistics show that today the classic style is the leader in popularity among the owners of country houses, ahead of country, Provence and Art Nouveau. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that the interior, made in a classic style, will not lose its relevance over time, gives a sense of respectability and confidence in the future, gives the owners peace and tranquility. And a country house is much more suitable for the embodiment of design in a classic style than a city apartment. Of course, modern homes do not have imposing dance halls and huge hallways, separate rooms for playing cards and daytime relaxation. Therefore, the monumentality of the buildings of the era of classicism is not inherent in the country houses of today.

Daria
Misyura

designer

We will find a solution in any situation.

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Country house interior in classic style

Country house in classical style does not imply catchy originality. Even a small amount of eccentricity and extravagance has no place here. In this realm of simplicity, tranquility and grace, sophistication and nobility coexist with splendor and even luxury. High-quality natural and, as a rule, expensive materials are used for interior design. You can not use simple paper wallpaper, linoleum, chipboard furniture and the like. They will look weird. Interior design in a classic style involves the flooring with artistic parquet or even marble mosaics (the stone must be treated to prevent slipping) and the complete absence of soft floor coverings. The walls are decorated with special designer coatings, finished with veneer, especially of valuable wood, or upholstered with interior fabrics, which can be silk and satin.

Country house design. Basic elements

The ceiling can be multi-level and decorated with stucco. You need to understand that such decoration in small apartments will seem too heavy and, one might say, excessively beautiful. The classic style requires impressive room sizes and high ceilings, so a large country house is the best place to create an interior design in the classicist style.

Should also match the chosen style and design of the furniture. Furniture made of natural wood of simple shapes, finished with textiles, decorated with carvings or inlaid with valuable wood – it must certainly be massive and majestic. And if the color scheme of the wall decoration is pastel calm shades, then for furniture in the classic style, wood varieties of dark saturated shades are most often used. It is best if individual pieces of furniture are antique pieces that have their own history. Such antiques will only enhance the stylistic effect. In addition, they are not only a suitable element of a classic interior, but also an excellent investment. However, it is not always possible to find the necessary pieces of furniture in antique shops. And besides, it can be quite expensive. The solution to this problem is the purchase of modern furniture, which is made according to the sketches of old samples. It is an exact copy of the originals and is perfect for furnishing a classic style home.

An indispensable element of the interior of every room in a country house is a chandelier. For the kitchen, these are hanging chandeliers decorated with crystal pendants, for the living room – luxurious Murano glass chandeliers. Wall lamps imitating candlesticks, table lamps and floor lamps, as well as wrought iron sconces, symmetrically located on the walls of rooms and along flights of stairs, are also appropriate. A large number of light sources is only welcome.

When designing a country house in a classic style, do not forget about a real fireplace in the living room. The impressiveness of such a fireplace will require a large room. Moreover, it is a very active decorative component of the interior, so the rest of the furniture in the room should not be located near the fireplace. The marble portal, decorated with columns and stucco, will perfectly complement the interior design of a country house in this elegant style. And the fireplace shelf will certainly be decorated with elegant mantel clocks and marble figurines.

Interior decoration in the classical style will not do without paintings and mirrors in carved gilded frames, painted vases and live indoor plants. As a result, the interior of a country house will turn out to be holistic, full of harmony. But in order to recreate the spirit of the classics in a modern interior as authentically as possible, you will need the intervention of a professional designer. Depending on the architectural possibilities of the country house and the preferences of the owners, the designer either reconstructs the classic interior design or creates a lightweight stylized version.

Our design studio has extensive experience in creating interiors of various styles and trends. The interior of a country house, created in a classic style by our professionals, will not contradict modernity and will not look like a museum. Functionality, comfort, harmony and aristocracy of the interior will be manifested thanks to precisely selected finishing materials and decorative elements, as well as strict adherence to the principles and rules of creating an interior in the style of classicism. Our design studio will create the interior of your country house, which will always be relevant and modern.

country house in contemporary style

Working on the interior of the country house, Natalia Nelyubina was inspired by the surrounding silence of the pine forest, the sunlight breaking through the foliage, and the softness of natural shades.

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Publication date:

10/14/2021

Text:

Anna Novik

Photo:

Ekaterina Maslova, Sergey Kuklin

Project author:

Natalya Nelyubina

Journal:

Salon de Luxe Modern Design 04/2021

Area : 160 sq. m

Designer Natalya Nelyubina was invited to design the interior of a country house located not far from Kirov in one of the cottage villages. The two-story house is located in a picturesque place: all year round it is surrounded by an evergreen pine forest.

The author about the project: “Today, strict lines of laconic styles and
the layout is softened by furniture without corners. Tables, lamps, poufs and sofas – almost all
designer furniture without right angles, they are rounded. General aura of comfort
complemented by textiles made from natural fibers, as well as ceramics.

Distinctive features of the interior of the house – simplicity, conciseness
and functionality. The central place of the spacious living room is occupied by a large
modular sofa U-shaped. All cabinet furniture for the home is made according to
individual order, and upholstered furniture is selected from the assortment of the Moon factory.

“The customer was ready to pay for a unique design project using natural materials, for an interior in soothing colors without bright accents, for ergonomics and modern solutions. And for the decor, we used ready-made lighting systems and furniture from manufacturers’ catalogs,” said Natalya Nelyubina, the author of the project. — The space with which we had to work was like a blank sheet: the premises of the correct shapes and proportions gave free rein to the designer’s imagination, allowed to accommodate almost any functionality. It was easy and pleasant for us to create an interior from scratch.”

“Self-isolation has shown how important it is to surround yourself with natural
materials and textures,” says Natalia. – This applies to everything: both decoration and
furniture, and decor. From the house today they expect a feeling of peace, multiplied by comfort.
That is why we chose a neutral palette of shades for the project and
natural materials”.

Contemporary – the style in which the interior is designed can be described as modern comfortable minimalism; but unlike minimalism in its traditional sense, contemporary uses rather warm shades of walls, furniture with softer outlines and tactilely pleasant coatings, and the general mood of the interior is calm and peaceful.

Sliding structures with corrugated texture not only
scatter daylight, but also carry a decorative function. Big mass
curtain fabric would make the interiors heavy, so the author of the project
decided on such a design experiment.

Bedroom.

Most of the area on the first floor of the house is occupied by a spacious kitchen-living room. Natalya believes that when combining two spaces together, it is necessary to pay special attention to functionality and ergonomics – a well-thought-out working area of the kitchen, a comfortable table for the whole family, as well as organizing a place in the living room for communication and joint leisure of the family and guests of the house.

According to the designer, the Scandinavian style is great for a nursery. It stimulates creativity and at the same time teaches the child to be organized. After all, beauty is visible only in space in which order is maintained

“There are no original interior items in this project – this was one of the main wishes of the customer. Furniture and decor are very affordable and accessible to everyone,” comments the author of the project. – It was possible to bring elements of design space design into the interior through the use of non-standard solutions. For example, louvered window structures were used to decorate the kitchen-living room. It was a design experiment that we had not used anywhere before. It was a risk that paid off. As a result, it was they who caused the strongest emotions among the owners of the house.

The nursery is a bright and light room, one of the most spacious in the house. Here, as conceived by the designer, a slatted partition was used, partially overlapping the cabinet.

Each of the rooms of the house uses several options for lighting solutions, but there is practically no central lighting. An exception is the dining area: the chandelier has become a semantic accent in it, gathering the entire interior around it. In addition to the kitchen-living room, on the ground floor there are also hidden storage systems, a dressing room and a bathroom. Rising to the second floor, you can get into the nursery, guest and master bedrooms. From the auxiliary premises there is a bathroom, which has easy access from other rooms, as well as a dressing room adjacent to the master bedroom.

Bathroom.

Natalya Nelyubina: “The term “modern home” means not only a beautiful interior, but also electronic functionality that ensures safety and comfort. In this project, the “smart home” system was used: an automated coordinator of the operation of all technical devices, video surveillance, leakage protection, light control, home theater. Some of these features have long been firmly entrenched in the list of our household requirements.

Entrance hall. “The laconic entrance area plays the role of a business card,” explains the designer. – It should present the interior, which is yet to be seen, should arouse interest and predict the development of events. We always pay special attention to these usually small spaces. ”

Layout of two floors of the house.

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Interior of a country house, features – photos of examples

Country house… No matter how big or small, the main thing is that there is a place in life where you can escape from the bustle of the city.

Contents

Owners decide how to use the available housing. Some people spend weekends and holidays in it, while others completely settle down, remaining out of town for the winter. Naturally, in order to make you want to go there again and again, you need to carefully consider the interior of a country house and work on landscape design. The latter, frankly, is better left to the care of professionals, but it is quite possible to do the interior decoration of housing on your own.

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How the interior design of a country house is carried out

In order for the memories of the “house in the country” to be only rosy and warm, it is important that being in it is pleasant in all respects. This effect can be achieved only by creating an attractive environment in it. There are many styles of interior design of a country house, so you can always choose the option that meets your needs.

In large cottages, it is customary to conditionally allocate two zones:

1. Private.

2. Public.

The first floor is usually assigned to the first floor, and this is logical. Placed here:

canteen;
hall;
guest bathroom;
kitchen;
utility rooms.

A public area is being built on the first floor.

Bedrooms and the master’s bathroom are being raised to the second floor. If you have an attic or a spacious attic space, you can think about implementing such ideas in the interior of a country house as arranging a mini gym, a billiard room, etc. The entertainment zone will never be superfluous in country leisure.

Bedrooms are located on the second floor

Looking through how you can decorate the interior of a country house in the photo, you need to be aware that it is not at all necessary to decorate the rooms of the same type. However, without making them twins, one should still be able to draw a common stylistic line in the setting of the premises.

The interior of the rooms should have a common stylistic line

There are many ways to diversify the interior of a country house. For example, in a public area it is rational to get rid of doors. This will significantly increase the free space. In the allocation of functional areas for many styles of interiors of country houses, the use of light mobile partitions, bar counters, columns, stained-glass windows, aquariums is recommended. Interior design must certainly take into account the wishes of all household members, only in this case peace and tranquility will reign in the house.

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The most popular country house interior styles

Provence and country style in the interior of a country house are more common than others

Today it is possible to design a dacha and a cottage in a classical, ethnic, modern direction.

The first category includes: palace and antique style, baroque, classicism, empire and other representatives of pompous interiors.

Provence and country style in the interior of a country house and today are more common than others. They are the brightest representatives of ethnic trends. Dachas stylized as a chalet or decorated in Scandinavian motifs look great.

Country house interior

Modern interiors represent hi-tech, loft, techno.

If the house is intended only for summer holidays, then it is quite possible to finish it in a light Hawaiian or Mediterranean style, then the atmosphere will also remind you of the delights of a sea holiday. Exotic lovers can work on an African interior or reproduce the atmosphere of a bungalow.

The Mediterranean style will remind you of a vacation at sea

How this or that interior of a country house will look like, look at the photo. This will help you find the best solution.

Looking through the catalogs, it will not be difficult to notice that all the classics require space, so interiors stylized in this way can only be reproduced in large houses. Modern trends are also specific and not very suitable for the design of small country houses. Agree, it’s hard to imagine high-tech in a log house, isn’t it? The sharpness of the contrast of an unprepared guest will absolutely shock, but such extraordinary ideas for the interior of a country house also find their admirers.

The interior of a small house

Even without analyzing the above, it becomes clear that for more modest cloisters, representatives of the ethnic stylistic category would be an ideal design option. Here we will get to know them in more detail.

Country style in the interior of a country house

Rustic interiors are distinguished by a special “grandmother’s” comfort. This is the realm of good-quality wooden and wrought-iron furniture, natural finishing materials, home-made decorative elements. In such houses there are always embroidered pillows, painted ceramics and glassware, flower arrangements and knitted paths. The walls are decorated with still lifes, paintings with everyday scenes or images of nature.

Interior of a country house in country style

The color palette of this interior decoration of a country house is exclusively natural shades. Country has many faces. With its help, the house can be presented as a ranch, a Russian hut or a noble nest.

Choose natural tones for country style interiors

Scandinavian style in home interiors

An excellent choice for minimalists in a setting. What is typical for this direction?

Color

In contrast to the country style, white colors will prevail in the interior of a country house designed in the Scandinavian spirit. They can be diluted or supplemented with light gray, brown, blue, green paints. To enliven the situation, accent blotches of bright colors are allowed.

White colors prevail in the Scandinavian interior

Materials

Wood and again wood. Everywhere and everywhere, and often with minimal processing. The main stylistic constant – naturalness and simplicity – should not be violated.

Wood is the main stylistic constant of the interior

Furniture

The interior design of a Scandinavian-style country house uses a minimum of furnishings. Only the essentials get into the rooms, but everything that appears is striking in its quality factor. For the manufacture of furniture, only wood is used, and only natural materials, including leather and suede, are used as upholstery. In detail, they demonstrate the nuances of the Scandinavian interior of a country house photos of design portfolios.

Scandinavian solid wood furniture

Windows

The Scandinavian house is intentionally equipped with large windows to make the rooms as bright as possible. This gave rise to specifics in the design of the window zone. Only light fabrics are used in its decor.

Lightweight fabrics are used in window decoration

Floors and walls

Realization of the Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house will require simplicity in wall decoration. They can be plastered, painted with light colors, finished with wood panels or simply sewn up with boards. The floors are also made of plank. As an alternative, a laminate can be used, as well as a parquet board. To revive the interior of a country house, it is worth throwing a patchwork path or a one-color fleecy rug on the floor.

Plank flooring – ideal for a Scandinavian style interior

Decorative accessories

Luxurious decor is not typical for Scandinavian homes. The rooms are usually decorated with original, but attractive elements. When looking for country house interior decor ideas, look at ordinary glass vases. They can bizarrely refract and reflect sunlight. For greater beauty, you can fill them with wood chips or put a bunch of dead wood.

Simple glass vases will decorate the interior

The Scandinavians have a very respectful attitude to the theme of the sea, so pictures depicting frigates or marine life may well appear in the interior of a country house. If the chalet style in the interior of a country house is characterized by wall decor with stuffed animals, then in Scandinavian housing they are decorated with photographs. Hand-woven baskets and flowers will help to make the atmosphere warmer and cozier.

Nautical decorations

Bright blotches are another characteristic sign of the presence of the Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house. What suits their role? First of all, blankets and pillows. In the kitchen, this can be a work apron. In the living room there is a juicy coral armchair, in the dining room there is a multi-colored upholstery of chairs. You can use colored lampshades, make furniture upholstery decor, the main thing is not to turn the room into a kaleidoscope.

Color accents will refresh the interior

Lighting

The lack of natural light has left its mark on the organization of the evening. In the interiors of country houses of this type, there is always an abundance of lamps, and the lamps have a variety of shapes, and their design can refer to different styles. Here you can safely experiment. Fill rooms with floor lamps, sconces, candlesticks and chandeliers. The more lighting elements, the better!

The interior of a country house in the Scandinavian style is distinguished by an abundance of lamps

For the interior design of a country house, the Scandinavian style is just perfect. It is easy not only to implement, but also to maintain, as there is no need to meticulously monitor the severity of the lines and hide everything out of sight, as in minimalist settings. Here it is quite possible to decompose the things necessary in everyday life into the right places, and they will not spoil the perception of the character of the interior at all. The atmosphere is lively and positive. There is no pretentiousness in it.

Chalet style in the interior of a country house

“Perhaps, in such quantities and variety of combinations, wood and stone are not used in any of the decor styles of country house interiors”

secure home with a harmonious interior atmosphere. Belonging to eco-styles determines the use of mainly materials with natural origin in the interior design of a country house. Perhaps, wood and stone are not used in such quantities and variety of combinations in any of the decor styles of country house interiors. In general, when looking at the furnishings of the chalet, one involuntarily draws an association with a hunting lodge in the wilderness. Here, too, the stone-wood finish is generously flavored with fur skins laid out on benches and floors, and the walls are decorated with hunting trophies. If space permits, stuffed prey can also be exhibited as amulets. An interesting idea for decorating the interior of a country house with stuffed bears guarding the entrance to the house.

The interior of a country house in the style of a chalet

An obligatory design element of a living room in a chalet-style house is a fireplace. Almost always, this is an accent detail of the situation, which attracts with the design of its portal. In a modern interior interpretation, a fireplace is often combined with a TV zone.

The accent role in the chalet-style interior is often given to the fireplace.

The chalet style in the interior of a country house is always panoramic windows, wooden floors, powerful beams, stone columns, fluffy, incredibly warm carpets and chic chandeliers. All this splendor is completed with solid furniture. Upholstered furniture is distinguished by leather upholstery and massiveness. Textiles are exclusively natural, no synthetics. In the chalet, she will simply cut the eye.

Leather furniture will accentuate the style of the interior

Such an interior of a country house is illuminated in a somewhat specific way. On the one hand, the light should be subdued, perhaps even intimate, on the other hand, it should give the owners the opportunity to read, relaxing by the hearth. The problem is solved by organizing a multi-tiered lighting system and using dimmers.

The brightness of the lighting will help adjust the dimmer

Provence style in the interior of a country house

As you can see, reproducing a chalet or Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house is quite an expensive pleasure. Whether business Provence! It can be created in a variety of interpretations: using rustic wall decoration and heavy, with signs of gothic furniture in the setting, or using ordinary, unremarkable things in creating the setting. So what is required for a budget Provence-style country house interior design?

The interior of a country house in Provence style

Everything that can be found in the home bins will do. It would seem that the standard things that are available in the everyday life of almost all of us, but as soon as they are correctly presented, the situation will change beyond recognition. The breath of France will be felt in every movement of the lace curtains, the mysterious muted reflections of floor lamps, it will be felt behind every ajar door in the house.

Provence style decor elements

Living room

Since this is the room where guests enter, it must be decorated in the appropriate way. In addition to beautifully painted walls and solid furniture, cabinets with old books, ornate candlesticks, wooden elements, preferably also worn out times, should appear in the interior of the living room of a country house. Note that there will be no need for custom-made furnishings. The role of rarities will be perfectly played by artificially aged things or restored “junk”, long abandoned in the attic and removed from there on occasion.

Artificially aged items will play the role of rarities perfectly

You can look for things for interior design of a country house at sales, flea markets and even landfills.

Kitchen

Ideas for filling the interior of a country house kitchen with a Provencal spirit, if it is made in suitable colors, are simple to the point of primitiveness.

Enough:

to add some lace to the existing decor;
decorate the lamps with lampshades characteristic of the style;

Decorating the lamp with a lace shade

place a little pottery in prominent places;
hang linen curtains on the windows.

Window decoration with linen curtains

Well, didn’t the room look like a village one?

Bedroom

Another important room in the interior of a country house. The creamy wool tones of the bedding suit her perfectly. A deliberately sloppyly painted bed, standing on a rough plank floor, will complement a bedside table improvised from an old potbelly stove. Of the storage systems, you can add a chest of drawers, the appearance of which would clearly hint that just a couple of centuries ago, a seamstress cousin from the outskirts of Paris kept her trinkets in its drawers.

Vintage furniture will perfectly fit into Provence style interior

Bathroom

Provence style bathroom in the interior of a country house is the brightest and at the same time airy room. On the snow-white background of the walls, streamlined furnishings will look great. Again, a lot of wood, flax.

Provence-style air bath

With all the craving for antiquity in the bathroom, you can equip a jacuzzi and put a shower, the main thing is to adequately decorate them. A French-style shower enclosure can be created with your own hands. Ideas for its arrangement are available on the Internet.

French-style shower enclosure

Modern stylistic ideas for country house interiors

Modern homes require modern finishes and this also cannot be discounted. The interior design in such country houses is radically different from the ethnic styles described above. The premises are literally crammed with engineering chips. They often put on display stairs, elevators, pipelines, ventilation shafts. See how original such country house interior solutions look in the photo.

The interior of a country house in a modern style

All furnishings are made of glass and metal. Plastics and other synthetic materials are welcome. Surfaces are smooth and glossy. The furniture is also not similar to that used in the style of a chalet, country, Provence in the interior of a country house. In hi-tech, everything is made of chrome-plated metal and sewn into leatherette. The entrance hall meets not with the usual set, but with shelving modules; glass worktops are installed in the kitchen.

Glass and metal are the main components of the hi-tech style

Decor is very conventional for such an interior of a country house. The harmony of the situation in such rooms is based on the balance of spatial freedom and light. Bright colors are never taken on leading roles here. This is the prerogative of nondescript gray gloomy black and sterile white tones. If you want to soften the impression somewhat, green, blue, red, yellow paints can be used in the high-tech interior design of a country house. If the addition of decorative elements cannot be avoided, then they should be introduced into the environment in a minimum amount and be sure to visually highlight them with backlight.

Colored elements soften the cold interior

The interior of a country house should be perceived as businesslike in its minimalism. Here everything should shine in the literal and figurative sense. With the embodiment of such situations simply does not happen, therefore, getting involved in the process without special education is the height of frivolity. Nothing good will come of such an undertaking, so in order to avoid additional costs and disappointments, it is more rational to immediately entrust the work to the designer.

Blinds fit harmoniously into high-tech interiors

Blinds on the windows, clean friezes, moldings, and plinths without moldings and ornaments will be signs of the modern style of the interior of a country house. The multi-level ceiling design and the presence of the latest household appliances will also tell about this. There should be a place for an acoustic system, a heaped refrigerator, a plasma panel stuffed with various options, like a shower cabin spaceship. All of these elements will serve as focal points for the setting.

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Conclusion

In general, it doesn’t matter what style the interior of a country house will be decorated in, the main thing is that you feel comfortable living in it, and every trip outside the city gives you the opportunity to really relax your soul and escape from current problems .

Photo gallery – interior of a country house

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Cottage or country house interior: 70 photos, design ideas

The interior of the cottage should be as comfortable and cozy as possible, so that its residents can really relax and take a break from the noise and everyday life outside the city. The possibility of arranging a large area, the presence of high ceilings, as well as proximity to natural beauties – all this contributes to the use of a creative approach to creating a truly ergonomic space. To decorate the interior of a cottage or a country house, you need to follow a number of recommendations, which we will discuss below.

What designers advise

If the interiors of apartments in the city do not always depend on the features of the building, then the design of private houses will depend directly on the design of the building. For example, an Art Nouveau design is unlikely to look harmonious inside a wooden frame with traditional elements. In other words, the first recommendation is to maintain harmony between the interior and exterior of a country house.

As for the interior design of the room, we can say about the following nuances:

– Choose a single style for interior design;
– Provide the required color scheme;
– Choose high-quality modern finishing materials;
– Choose pieces of furniture that match the style;
– Use decorative elements and artificial lighting wisely.

All these factors must be taken into account in order to create a beautiful cottage interior.

Colors

When designing any interior, including a country house, it is important to choose the right color solutions. The wrong palette can make you feel bad and reduce productivity. Of course, it all depends on individual preferences, but there are general patterns.

Furnishing a private house involves the use of several basic (more than four) shades of those colors that seem most attractive to the owner. But only one color should prevail for decorating the walls. It is recommended to give preference to neutral calm tones, while colorful shades should be used as accents. Remember that in a cozy cottage there is no need for excessive variegation, but it all depends on the style you choose, so there may be various color options.

One way to create an original interior is to combine smooth and embossed surfaces with different textures. In such a situation, even a monochromatic design looks contrasting and attractive.

Keep in mind that even just one textured detail can significantly enliven the space. For example, in a Scandinavian-style house, you can combine discreet curtains made of plain fabric and the same furniture upholstery with wicker chairs, large-knit covers, etc.

Furniture

In cottages or country houses it is better not to clutter up the space with a lot of furniture. Moreover, modern trends dictate the fashion for minimalism. This is especially true for small houses, where it is best to pick up multifunctional pieces of furniture, possibly folding ones. In spacious country houses, large-sized furniture looks better.

It must be remembered that the combination of large objects and small details will look the most harmonious. If you place exceptionally large structures in rooms, they will not be perceived expressively. But too many small elements will sooner or later begin to annoy the residents and guests of the house.

Lighting

Luminaires are selected based on their appearance. It is important that during the day they fit into the overall style. Depending on the background, chandeliers, floor lamps or sconces are selected, they can be dark, light, golden – the main thing is that the atmosphere of a country house is stylistically coherent.

It is important to choose a lampshade wisely, so decide in advance which style you prefer – country, classic or minimalism. In large rooms, it is recommended to install large chandeliers, and for small rooms, compact lamps are more suitable.

Country house interior style

In country cottages you can embody any design delights. However, in addition to fashion trends, be sure to take into account the individual preferences of the owners of the house. Consider the main characteristics of the most popular styles for interior design of cottages: country, provence, chalet, as well as Scandinavian and modern style.

Country cottage

This style is suitable for lovers of rustic romance and family traditions. Country is the best option for owners of wooden houses.

Modern materials such as metal, glass or plastic are unacceptable in such interiors. For decoration, they often use wallpaper with floral motifs or stripes, decorative plaster or stone, imitation of a wooden beam.

Color solutions should be as natural as possible. For the living room, the main focus can be a fireplace, it is recommended to choose furniture that is not high. In the kitchen, put an old sideboard with shelves, a massive wooden table, linen or chintz curtains, and painted dishes.

Provence style cottage

This style is considered the ideal solution for creating a cozy countryside atmosphere. Mandatory attributes of the Provence style are considered to be the use of natural materials and floral motifs.

This fashionable French trend assumes an important role for furniture and decorative elements. Choose solid furniture, perhaps vintage or aged. It is best if it is in light shades.

As for decor, wicker elements, vases with lavender, porcelain and baskets look good in Provence style interiors. All this brings a unique atmosphere to the house and makes staying in it comfortable, which is very important for cottages or suburban buildings.

Chalet-style cottage

For wooden cottages, the chalet style is also suitable, which will create a fabulous cozy interior with minimal decoration. As a rule, the floor and ceiling in such buildings are wooden, and the ceiling beams remain visible.

The main characteristics of the style are conciseness, the use of natural materials with a minimum of processing, as well as environmental friendliness. A mandatory detail is the fireplace, which occupies a central place in the living room.

Decor includes wool, leather and fur skins. Household appliances in the kitchen are hidden behind cabinets so that the atmosphere of antiquity is preserved in the house. As a chandelier, plafonds made in the shape of a candle are ideal.

Scandinavian style cottage

This direction is distinguished by restraint, minimal inclusion of decor and the use of high-quality natural materials. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on home improvement, but prefer modern trends and want to create a spacious, bright interior, pay attention to the Scandinavian style.

It is enough to level the walls in the house and choose a neutral background – most often it is just white paint. Wood is used as decoration. If necessary, the interior can be bright accents.

As for the furniture, it should be soft and comfortable, but the shape should be as simple as possible. In the Scandinavian style, natural wood is welcome. You can dilute the strict atmosphere with the help of pleasant little things, for example, unusual curtains or plants in a flower pot.

Modern style cottage

Interiors decorated in a modern style often use furniture made of inexpensive materials – wood, glass, plastic. However, it is important to choose all items carefully so that they are reliable. In practice, the modern style is suitable for those who are used to changing the interior of a country house every few years.

Designers advise to avoid any decorative elements, then the space will remain light and airy, nothing will interfere with the residents and distract them. The ceiling is often left concrete, and the floor is made of neutral-colored sanded boards, laminate with a simple texture. Spotlights are installed in the rooms.

Cottage or country house interior – photo

No matter what style is chosen for the interior design of the cottage, comfort and a cozy atmosphere are the main elements. For those who are engaged in arranging their own home from scratch, it can be difficult to decide on the choice of color palette, finishing materials, furniture and accessories. Therefore, we recommend that you look at how various country houses look in reality. Get inspired by our selection of photos and experiment!

How to choose the style of a country house

Issues discussed in the material:

Does the customer need to understand existing architectural styles
Selection of a site for the construction of a country house
How to choose the style of a country house: the most popular options
What to choose when building a house: an individual or a standard project
Why the style of a country house should be chosen carefully

Several decades ago, a country house was considered a temporary shelter where people came to relax on the weekends. Today, a cottage outside the city is a full-fledged dwelling. This is a place where you can hide from the daily hustle and bustle of life. Therefore, people in our country increasingly prefer not to buy an apartment, but to build private housing located outside the city. How to choose the style of a country house, so that you yourself would be pleased, and the neighbors would envy? This will be discussed in our article.

Does the customer need to understand the existing architectural styles

Before starting the construction of a country house, you need to choose what architectural style it will have. After all, the appearance of the building characterizes the level of material wealth of its owners, and also speaks of their social status.

There are many stylistic trends in the architecture of country houses, so it is sometimes difficult to choose the most suitable one. To form the concept of the future building, it is necessary to focus not only on its functional characteristics, it is worth considering the tastes and wishes of all residents of a country house.

But before that, you need to roughly imagine in what architectural style a private house will be made. After all, the type of materials, window parameters, and the cost of work depend on this. Directions can be very diverse. At the same time, it is permissible to both maintain a single style and use its individual elements.

Why do we need knowledge about architectural styles? The fact is that not every direction will suit both the interior and exterior of the house.

In addition to personal preferences and wishes, the following parameters influence the decision on the architectural style of the future country house:

Building size
For example, the ratio of area and layout. One style involves the presence of a large space, spacious halls, rooms of 40 m² or more. Another direction is quite suitable for the reception of “open planning” (or “open space”), and the size of the rooms is not so important for him.
Country plot area
This parameter is no less significant, since complex architectural solutions require a more impressive building area (for example, for the Empire style).
Cost of building a house
We should not forget about the budget allocated for construction. The total cost of a country house depends on the number of floors of the building, the presence of voluminous structures and the degree of saturation of the decor. The more these details, the higher the price not only for the project, but also for its implementation.
Purpose of dwelling
This point is important, as houses for permanent residence and buildings for temporary rest should be significantly different, both externally and internally. Features that matter to one home may not be appropriate to another.

I must say that domestic suburban buildings have their own characteristics. Therefore, not all styles are equally suitable in any particular case. For example, in the Far North, pretty houses in the rustic Provence style will be out of place. However, one often sees violations of the general stylistic orientation. In some situations, it is permissible at the stage of construction of a country cottage to integrate some elements of an ethnic character into its image. But still, experts advise following the chosen stylistic direction in order to avoid excessive pretentiousness and bad taste. In order to avoid mistakes, it is necessary to have an idea about the main conceptual features of a particular architectural direction.

Choosing a site for the construction of a country house

Before starting the design of a country house, you need to select a suitable site for construction and explore the land. It is better if an experienced architect who knows how to avoid difficulties during construction will take care of these works.

Forest area
Everyone knows the advantages of a plot in a forested area. Fresh air is good for health, the green landscape caresses the eye, and the pleasant chirping of birds pleases the ear. In order to organize a picnic, there is no need to travel anywhere.

In a word, a forest area is a kind of its own little ecosystem, not only endlessly pleasing to the eye, but also having obvious practical advantages.

Before choosing a plot located in a forest area, it is necessary to carefully analyze all the documentation for the land. This must be done to avoid fraud on the part of the seller. It should also be borne in mind that cutting down the forest is possible only with the permission of the forestry. In addition, the market value of a suburban area increases if it has trees and shrubs.
Waterfront
Real estate, located near a reservoir, has a well-deserved popularity. Living outside the city by the water means always admiring the beautiful landscape. Plus, there is the opportunity to engage in water sports or enjoy fishing. High liquidity of plots of this type is due to limited supply.

On the other hand, the price of plots located within walking distance from the water is quite high. In addition, the area around the country house is constantly blown through, and in the summer there are a lot of midges flying from the pond. In the spring, there is a high probability of flooding of buildings due to ice drift. It must also be said that the coastal soil has a complex composition, and this increases the cost of building a foundation. In some cases, you can even forget about the basement.

It is better to choose a territory for construction, located near the shore of a small lake. Then the site will not have minuses, with the exception of mosquitoes. In addition, it must be taken into account that you can build a country house at a distance of at least 50 m from a reservoir (closer – a conservation area).
Field plot
Such sites are considered the most budgetary of all. To form a market product, a real estate company acquires vast land plots, divides the array into several parts and draws up the necessary documentation.

In the late 2000s, these plots were in high demand. At present, such private property does not surprise anyone. Of the advantages, only low cost can be distinguished.

Engineering networks are often not connected to plots in an empty field. Territories are blown all year round by winds. In the summer, the owners of a country house on a field plot are forced to suffer from the exhausting heat.
Slope
It happens that a land plot is selected located on an inconvenient territory (on the slopes of ravines or on the banks of reservoirs). The main difficulty for the architect is the work on designing the basement, since water-saturated soils significantly increase the likelihood that a country house can “slide”.

But if a competent specialist has taken up the work, he will easily turn the minuses into pluses. Thanks to the latest construction technologies, it has become possible to make reliable fortifications for unstable soils, on which a solid foundation can then be built. And the natural landscape is used to create a beautiful man-made landscape.

What to choose when building a house: an individual or a standard project

Before starting construction, it is necessary to complete a project that allows you to correctly organize the space and calculate future costs. Of course, you can build without a project. But as practice shows, decisions made in a hurry often threaten to slow down work and poor results, and therefore zero efficiency.

Individual project

If a country house project is developed, as they say, “from scratch” for a specific customer, it is considered individual. Choosing such a design means getting the opportunity to realize all the dreams of a perfect home.

Advantages:

all the wishes of the customer are taken into account, as well as the technical characteristics of the land;
it is possible to use original space-planning solutions;
you can choose exclusive elements in architecture and decoration.

The disadvantages are the high cost and extended lead times.

In what situations is it better to choose an individual project of a country house?

If you don’t like any of the ready-made options offered in the catalog, or you don’t like any separate element (layout, facade, garage). The architect will combine all the best and create a project that fully meets the requirements and wishes of the client.
If you accurately imagine your future country house, its layout, dimensions, as well as materials and other elements. When developing an individual dream project, the architect only has to choose and connect all the components, focusing on the wishes of the customer.
If the land plot has specific features that do not allow choosing a standard project. For example, a small area, complex terrain, non-standard parameters, nearby buildings. The specialist will help to design the house so that all the advantages are emphasized, and the shortcomings are hidden.
If you need an unusual country house, which will have its own music studio with high-quality sound insulation or a spectacular fountain located in the center of the hall, or a custom-shaped veranda. You need to choose an individual project of a country house, and then a wide variety of original ideas will come true.

A typical project will not allow you to build a truly unique house. Therefore, you should contact an architect who can develop an individual building project.

Generic design

Generic designs are designs that can be used many times. If you decide to choose this type, then be prepared for the fact that the building will not be unique. However, such a project also has advantages:

it is focused on the most optimal use of building space;
all parameters are calculated for a family with an average income;
has been used many times. Thanks to the experience gained during the operation, improvements have been made to it;
the final price for the project is quite predictable.

In what situations is it necessary to choose a standard project for the construction of a country house?

If your budget doesn’t allow for custom design, then you can get a quality product for much less.
If the construction time is short. In this case, you should choose a finished project from the catalog. Changes to such documentation can be made in just one day.
If you need to build a simple country guest house to live in temporarily. Then planning decisions and the appearance of the building are not so important. Therefore, you should not overpay for the preparation of an individual project, but choose a ready-made one.
If you do not have a clear idea about the future home. In this case, ready-made standard solutions selected from the catalog will help. After looking at the various options, you can choose the one you like and, if necessary, make changes to it.

Standard projects are developed for mass use. Moreover, the low cost of such a product is more than compensated by its repeated sale. Construction prices are quite acceptable due to the unification of elements and standardization of production stages. An illustrative example of significant savings in funds is typical wooden buildings (cottages made of timber or frame panel houses). The main structural elements are delivered to the sites already prepared for installation work, which significantly reduces the construction time. In addition, there is a saving of materials, since the raw materials are correctly cut, and standard solutions are used for engineering communications.

How to choose a country house style: the most popular options

Historical architectural experience is at the heart of any style used in modern construction. But in each case, the stylistic direction introduced into the project of a country house corresponds to fashion trends, as well as the requirements of environmental friendliness and ergonomics.

Today there is a large selection of styles. Consider the most popular:

1. Classical style of country houses

This direction is always in trend. Classical buildings are distinguished by majestic beauty and harmony. The characteristic features of the style were formed in the era of Antiquity.

The classic style has:

clear lines;
symmetry of details;
solidity;
laconic finish;
predominantly soft colors.

Modern classics are always crystal symmetrical, with precise proportions and rectangular windows.

Perfect geometric lines emphasize slender columns, elegant pilasters, arched openings and porticos. In modern suburban construction, there is a bias towards the use of natural materials, such as stone or gypsum. The walls, as a rule, are finished with plaster of light shades.

2. Country houses in the style of minimalism

Making a project in a minimalist style is not as easy as it seems at first glance. In addition to the need to exclude colorful diversity and excessive decor, it is necessary to work hard on creating a clear and high-quality composition. The project should be distinguished by simplicity of lines and attract attention with thoughtful and refined geometric shapes.

The “minimalist” style emphasizes the windows, which should be very large and occupy almost the entire wall.

This direction is characterized by the masking of all structural and functional parts. This concept of space formation is quite new, but rapidly gaining popularity.

Large windows, along with the monochrome and simplicity of the interior space, encourage communication with nature. For this reason, you need to choose a spectacular view outside the window.

3. Russian style in suburban construction

Despite the seeming monotony of Russian-style houses, they are more complex and thoughtful. This is due to both living conditions and the specifics of the climate, as well as the occupation of the owners.

The basis of architectural solutions is wood, which is the most accessible material in forest regions. The tree is easy to process, the house from it turns out to be warm. Log cabins are made from logs, and for different rooms (depending on the purpose) in different areas, different cutting methods are used.

Russian-style houses can have one, two or three floors. The roof is usually chosen gable with dormer windows, sometimes with turrets. This direction implies the presence of many decorative elements: balconies, beautiful carved architraves and pillars, painted shutters. Thus, a country house, the decor of which has often repeating elements, becomes unique.

In ancient times, in order to speed up felling, the Slavs did not level logs when building their houses. Therefore, different-sized butts protruded unevenly from the cuts, which did not contribute to aesthetics. Later, the ends began to be leveled, and the chopped dwellings acquired more regular outlines.

Nowadays old log cutting methods (wild or rustic style) are used as a design element.

The space under the roof was used for storage. Sometimes a cold or warm living room was equipped in this zone. Natural lighting is created with the help of dormer windows.

The architecture of country houses made in the Russian style combines ancient national traditions and the latest technologies.

4. Half-timbered houses

This style is Northern European. It is not typical for half-timbered houses to hide a wooden frame. On the contrary, it decorates the facade, being a kind of highlight of a country building. A lot of half-timbered houses are located in Germany, especially in Bavaria.

These buildings are now in high demand again. A distinctive feature of modern suburban buildings are large areas of glazing for a three-dimensional panoramic view. In this current version, the framework no longer matters much. Therefore, its color often matches the color of the facade. To give the building individuality, it is equipped with terraces, balconies and awnings.

Main features:

regular shape design;
minimum decor;
soothing colors in the finish.

Sometimes the building is supplemented with an attic, bay windows, a basement. Most houses have a gable roof covered with tiles and having wide overhangs. Doors for the entrance group are better to choose rectangular, painted in contrasting shades.

5. Distinctive features of the Scandinavian style

Scandinavian style is of great interest to modern developers. Its distinctive features are functionality and the use of natural materials.

The entire architectural composition of the buildings is devoid of flashiness, pretentiousness, or any bright elements. This is because the severity of the Scandinavian climate taught the inhabitants of this area to constantly fight the elements. The interiors are distinguished by lightness and airiness, light colors. The premises do not suffer from congestion with furniture. They are decorated modestly and with a share of rationality. Only natural finishing materials are used.

Scandinavian architecture has its origins in the distant past. Traditionally, houses in the northern territories were built from solid wood. Initially, these were bare log cabins, which later began to be sheathed with boards. And now you can find dark red buildings with white bindings and platbands on the windows. The facades of houses are sheathed with siding or clapboard in order to protect themselves from rain and wind with the help of this double structure.

Today, the Scandinavian style in architecture is mainly used by residents of Sweden and Finland. As a rule, light wood is chosen for construction, which is decorated with glass, ceramics, and metal elements. All the attractiveness lies in the simplicity and modesty, as well as the clarity of the lines.

This stylistic architectural direction is not the result of any high technology and does not include artistic and decorative innovations. He is characterized by calmness, lack of pathos, modesty and comfort. And at the same time, this style is very elegant.

6. Country houses in chalet style

If qualities such as good quality, functionality and comfort are important in a country dwelling, then it is better to consider the option of a cottage made in alpine chalet style. A city dweller living in a cramped standard apartment dreams of spacious rooms where there is an opportunity to relax from the hustle and bustle.

“Chalet” is translated from French as “shepherd’s hut”. For buildings, you need to choose a gable roof, in which the overhangs of the cornices strongly protrude.

Alpine style has no unnecessary elements. Every detail is functional.

Another feature of the chalets are balconies and terraces, which protrude significantly beyond the perimeter of the building, thereby increasing the usable area. Thanks to clear lines and simple shapes, the space around is organized, giving the owners a sense of calm.

The ground floor of chalet-style houses is mainly made of stone, while the second floor, attic, is made of wood. Along with this feature, there may not be a clear division into floors. Indeed, in the presence of large slopes, the floors are shifted into ledges.

Choose stone and wood as building materials. The foundation and the first floor of the building are made of stone. Due to the high likelihood of earthquakes in the mountains, houses must either be particularly durable or easily repaired. Alpine shepherds chose the reliability of the building.

To increase the living area, use the under-roof space, thereby obtaining a residential attic, which is usually made of logs or timber. The advantages of this material are strength, snow resistance.

Choose a gable roof with a slight slope (approximately 25-30 ͦ) to avoid height differences in the attic. In winter, the snow does not leave the roof, so the heat remains under it. Large overhangs protect the walls from precipitation and increase the roof area, which allows snow to be retained.