9 Ways to Add Cottage Style

Add warmth with wood. A mix of wood species, including painted and antique furniture pieces, enriches visual texture.

Refresh with florals. Fabrics, walls, and window treatments with bold or quiet floral patterns are quintessential cottage fare.

Install interior shutters. Shutters make great window treatments, but they can also be used to dress up bare interior walls.

Waterfront cottages often take cues from the blue sea and sky, while woodsy cabins embrace earthy and forest-inspired hues. Country and city cottages tend toward neutrals and pastels.

Cloak surfaces in white. Clean white molding, trim, beaded board, and cabinetry are hallmarks of this fresh style.

Blend old and new. Secondhand and salvaged objects, such as old windows, doors, and gates, make first-rate accessories. Or use treasured collectibles, such as clocks, quilts, and vases, to impart a homey feel to newly remodeled spaces.

Combine storage and display. Open shelving and corner cabinets are great places to stow and showcase everyday goods and add some cottage style as well.

Vintage-look fixtures such as farmhouse sinks, claw-foot tubs, and faucets with traditional lines reinforce a charming cottage style.

Bring the outdoors in. Garden-variety cottage style can be created with floral print wallpaper, pots of plants, fower arrangements, garden elements, or outdoor furniture.