About Cottage Style Interior Decorating

The Cottage style of interior decor encompasses variations of several decorating styles. The Seashore Cottage style, the Lake Cabin Cottage style, the Victorian Cottage style and the English Cottage style are the most common cottage looks, but there are other variations. Some people incorporate the Art Deco or Arts and Crafts style in bungalow cottages, others add a little Country decor in their cottages, or the Shabby Chic look.

Function

The Cottage style of decor fills a gap for those who want to decorate a vacation home or a smaller home in an informal style that is in proportion to its size.

Features

Most all cottage styles include things like wicker furniture, doilies, floral cushions, quilts, candles, fresh flowers, hand-knit or crocheted afghans, and informal gardens. It's the accents, colors and patterns that create the differences between the cottage styles.

Size

Typically cottages are small, mostly under 2,000 square feet, though they can be larger.

Benefits

Cottage style decor creates a cozy, nostalgic feel, since most of the different cottage looks incorporate accents from the past.

Effects

Touches can be added to the decor, such as stenciling around doorways, a bistro set in the garden on the flagstone walk or a pitcher full of hydrangeas on a window sill.

Resources

• Cottage Style Decorating Guide