Summer Cottage: Design Inspo
Summer cottage style showcases a cozy, casual, and simple homey space. Usually small but beautiful, cottages take on a softer rustic or farmhouse look with historic stone and wood floors, ceiling beams, and odd angles. These elements are what give cottage interiors their unique and quaint character. This post will give you decorating inspiration and ideas on adding the charm of cottagecore to your home.
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What is a Summer Cottage Aesthetic?
Usually, summer cottages are small and surrounded by rural landscapes, so using the natural environment as decorating inspiration is very popular. Soft, weathered textures and gentle countryside colors create the ambience of simple charm. Colorful blooms and white picket fences create an inviting entrance to your cottage home. Regarding cottage style, fresh garden flowers are necessary and can make the difference between urban and country living. Window boxes filled with flowering plants add charm to the home's exterior. Cottage living is all about easy living. Light and airy rooms give the cottage a calming sensation. Comfort, coziness, and charm are the makeup of a summer cottage. Its decor is about mixing vintage characters with an eclectic flair. You will find combinations of vintage French, farmhouse, and garden decor in the cottage style. The architecture alone speaks of its charm. Some interiors will have exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, which adds to the rustic appeal of the cottage look. The standard features of summer cottages are window nooks, indoor shutters, built-in drawers, and wall paneling. Floors made of wood and stone and angled ceilings are also standard features in these homes. Using warm shades of neutral colors based on nature is an easy way to enhance the atmosphere of the space. Displaying collectibles and vintage glass pieces and hanging aprons and copper pots are customary ways to decorate a cottage. The most common elements of the summer cottage aesthetic are distressed and rustic-style furnishings. Bookcases, shelves, and stacked books are among the items you will find throughout the house. Mix and match things that are quirky, unique, and personal. Fill your home with quaint character with these cottage decorating ideas. Soft colors, natural textures, and cozy accents make any space feel like a homey cottage.
Core Tenants Of The Summer Cottage Design Style.
When styling your summer cottage, you want to incorporate comfort with practicality. Using slipcovers on the furniture provides the easy living look of a summer cottage but is also sensible as they are removable and washable. Typically the slipcovers are made of cotton, denim, or canvas, which are lovely and durable fabrics. The rooms should be inviting and welcoming spaces to relax in. Be sure to arrange your furniture to encourage conversation between people. Add colorful cozy blankets and personalized pillows for a little sentimental touch. Layering rugs on each other will soften the floor and add warmth to the room.
The colors of the summer cottage would be warm shades of earth tones such as creams, yellows, pinks, and terracotta. Regarding colors and patterns, think of colors inspired by nature and botanical prints. Cottages are often filled with soft neutrals and pastels, but don’t be afraid to go a little bolder with some other colors. Bright red walls and painted trim add an unexpected pop of color to otherwise neutral surroundings. You can add color with collectibles, artwork, and textured rugs. Dress the windows with window treatment shades made of natural woven fibers. Add subtle patterns with seat cushions and pillows. Some other popular cottage patterns besides botanicals are checkered, stripped, plaids, and dotted prints.
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Introduce the element of nature in the kitchen by adding wood butcher block cutting boards and bowls to your countertops. Open wood shelves create beautiful spaces to house your antique dishware and glasses. The simple look of shaker-style cabinet doors gives a humble appearance to the kitchen. Bring the cottage character into your bedroom with a wrought iron bed frame and antique nightstands. Add lots of pillows and a textured comforter to dress up the bed.
Summer Cottage Must Haves
The summer cottage design style is about enhancing the house's allurement. So, when it comes to furniture and decor, think about mixing handmade and antique wooden tables with new pieces of furniture. Worn, chipping-painted furniture works well with the cottage charm. Embracing natural materials is an excellent way to complement the rustic features of the cottage. Lighting is a vital aspect and is an accessory sometimes overlooked. Using natural and artificial light adds romance to a cozy, welcoming summer cottage. Place candles throughout the home and add string lights and chandeliers wherever possible.
Flowers should be everywhere. Gather several different-sized vases for a pretty floral centerpiece, and put fresh blooms from your garden in any room. Don't worry about the flowers being different lengths or the colors clashing. The variety of blooms is the key to the quaint cottage style. The cottage style is all about bringing the face of nature’s beauty inside your home.
Fireplaces and cast-iron wood-burning stoves are vital in a cottage kitchen or living area. Besides being used for cooking, they provide a relaxing ambience while heating the room. If you want an authentic cottage-style bathroom, add bright white wainscotting to the bottom half of the walls. Wrap the upper part of the walls in a colorful patterned wallpaper for a beautiful contrast. An old-fashioned, claw-foot tub instantly says cottage-style bathroom. Another feature commonly found in a summer cottage is beadboard on the walls. This low-cost wall treatment will create a sense of coziness. You can purchase a beadboard at your local home improvement store or online. Textures add visual interest to the most straightforward design.
You can achieve the cottage look on a shoestring budget with some imagination. Flea markets and antique stores are great places to find tables, chairs, and other old-world charm furniture and accessories.
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This post was about decorating inspiration and ideas on adding the charm of cottagecore to your home.
written by:
Pam Wichlei
Founder & CEO
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