How to Decorate Cottage Bathrooms

Cottages are places for rest and recreation. A cottage bathroom should have a few little luxuries--soft, fluffy towels, scented candles, loofah brushes, heated tile floors and plush rugs. Bathroom decoration themes should complement an ideal image of the location. A beach cottage might have ocean themed decorations. A bathroom in a hunting lodge might feature game animals and sport fish. What matters is that the decorations contribute to a sense of restfulness rather than becoming clutter.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton print fabric
• Coordinating shower curtain
• Plush bath mats
• Plush bath sheet size towels
• Scented candles
• Basket of loofah brushes and natural sponges
• Plush bathrobes
• Variety of bath oil beads or bath salts
• Strings of white holiday lights or lights in a coordinating color

Instructions

1. Choose a bathroom theme. The theme should complement the location and style of the cottage. Collect items that fit the chosen theme. Clean any shells or natural objects by boiling them in a kettle of hot water for 15 minutes. Allow items to dry. Arrange natural items in an eye-pleasing manner.

2. Make curtains, using printed cotton fabric in a style, color and pattern which fits your theme. Fold down the top inch of the fabric. Leave a quarter-inch seam allowance and stitch along the edge to make a casing. Run a wooden dowel rod through the curtain you just made and hang the curtains in the windows. Make longer curtains for the doorways if you like.

3. Arrange scented candles, a basket of natural sponges, bath oils and bath salts on a small corner table, within reach of the tub. Sit in the tub to be sure all items are close enough to reach without straining.

4. Hang a coordinating shower curtain. Place thick, plush throw rugs on the floor. Hang plush bathrobes on hooks behind the door, one robe for each expected adult guest. Fold towels and place them in an open rack close to the tub.

5. Light scented candles, fill the tub and add bath salts or bath oil. Dry off with the plush towels and wrap yourself in a plush bathrobe. Sit on the porch or balcony and sip hot cocoa while you watch the sunset.