How To

How to Decorate Your Living Room in Cottage Style

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(17 Ratings)

The cottage-style living room invites you to slouch on the couch, put your feet up and sit a spell. Furnishings are relaxed and unpretentious. Here are some examples.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Craft Paints
  • Curtain Rods
  • Fabrics
  • Flowers
  • Home Furnishings And Accessories
  • Picture Frames
  • Plants
  • Plants
  1. Step 1

    Choose a sofa with a relaxed attitude, such as an overstuffed style with a homey fabric like a floral, an awning or pillow tick stripe, or a nubby cotton. Look for big rolled arms and a cushioned back; wicker porch-style settees work well, too.

  2. Step 2

    Look for easy chairs that are in the same general style but don't match - cottage style is eclectic. Keep the budget low with an Adirondack chair - just add cushions.

  3. Step 3

    Go for casual lamp tables: Outdoor furniture can be painted white, stenciled or trimmed with painted-on flowers. Or look for wicker tables or spool and turned-spindle styles.

  4. Step 4

    Set out traditional, low-key lamps with fabric shades in gingham or floral prints. Add a lamp with a wicker, terra-cotta or vintage-looking ceramic base, or consider candlestick lamps.

  5. Step 5

    Make sure the coffee table invites you to put your feet up. Try to find an old kitchen table that you can cut down - or even a chicken coop to which you add a glass top.

  6. Step 6

    Dress the windows simply or leave them bare - you want lots of light in a cottage-style room. Choose simple unlined curtains or plain white wood blinds if you must cover them.

  7. Step 7

    Hang old-style pictures in old-style frames. Look for quilts and collectible plates to hang on walls, too.

  8. Step 8

    Top tables with folk art sculpture and casual flower arrangements. Use dried flowers and potted plants in the room, and try to keep the containers humble.

  9. Step 9

    Use light-colored paint or a small-print floral on the walls to keep the look cozy but light.

Tips & Warnings
  • Because cottage style is humble in nature, it can be executed on a budget. Don't feel you must have new pieces; you can make finds at flea markets, tag sales, thrift shops and secondhand stores.
  • Make the sofa and chairs more comfy by adding pillows, possibly in vintage-look fabrics such as 1940s florals, salvaged quilt pieces or old-style cotton chenille.
  • Slipcovers and quilts can cover up upholstered furnishings that have seen better days; a pretty quilt also makes a great wall hanging for cottage-style rooms.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Home & Garden
Ruby Bayan,

Meet Ruby Bayan eHow's Home & Garden Expert.

Get Free Home & Garden Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden