How to Decorate in a Romantic Cottage Style

Flowers and flourishes prevail in romantic cottage style.

Like shabby chic decor, romantic cottage style favors the cherished and timeworn over the shiny and mass-produced. Romantic cottage decor features smaller pieces because of the typical cottage's small floor plan, tight corners and minimal storage. Give any home a romantic cottage look with flea market furnishings and fussy accessories, or invest more time and money in a full interior makeover.

Things You'll Need

• Architectural elements
• Paint
• Furniture
• Textiles
• Natural items

Instructions

1. Integrate architectural features characteristic of cottage design. Emphasize light and views of the surrounding landscape by widening a current window to the size of a picture window or by adding additional windows.

2. Set the tone with paint and finishes. Romantic cottage style can have the icy pastels of shabby chic design, or it can go softer with pale yellow, sage green, cornflower blue, lavender and rose, typically in matte, eggshell or satin finishes. Use cream and antique white, which make ideal accents for a lighter, fresh feeling in small cottage spaces.

3. Furnish rooms in romantic cottage style. Create a feminine look with wooden furnishings with antique whitewashed surfaces, wrought-iron hardware and flourishes such as curved legs.

4. Add a hint of color with window treatments. Keep treatments minimalist by using faded florals, repurposed tea towels, vintage paisley or swatches of antique lace as cafe curtains or window scarves. Use lightweight fabric made of cotton, muslin or gauzy material that allow breezes to enter your home.

5. Blur boundaries between the home's exterior and interior with natural accessories. Green, leafy plants may frame doorways, while windows may feature window boxes outside and, inside, small bud vases or tea cups holding rosebuds.

Tips & Warnings

• Personalize a cottage interior by hanging botanical prints or landscape paintings.

• Avoid using matching textiles, which does not allow individual details to stand out.

References

• HGTV: Romantic Cottage Bedroom
• Apartment Therapy: Bedroom Mishmash