Cozy Cottage-Style Bedrooms

Add depth to a classic white-and-cream cottage palette by playing with texture. Here, an old rug remnant repurposed as artwork provides a rich backdrop for a caned white-painted bed frame, while crisp white sheets perk up when topped with a mix of toile and damask pillows. The simple matte finish on a painted side table takes on an elegant patina when topped with an ornate iron candelabra crowned with petite silk shades.

Set a contemporary cottage mood with a tapestry of patterns. The key to this bedroom's fresh vibe is an eclectic mix of traditional and modern prints that don't take themselves too seriously. Upholstered in a seafoam-and-cream toile fabric, the headboard provides a timeless base for geometric sheets and an overscale leaf-motif coverlet. Graphic silhouette-style accent pillows deliver a whimsical exclamation point.

Wrap a bedroom in quintessential cottage character with a painted paneled wood treatment. Instead of the expected beaded board, run a strip of 1-inch-thick molding from floor to ceiling between a room's crown molding and baseboard, leaving a foot between each piece of trim. Paint the walls and trim the same color to achieve an-always-been-there look.

Well-worn, comfortable pieces serve as the backbone of cottage decor. With that in mind, distressed doors form the base of this flea market chic platform bed, while an antique mantel, worn and weathered, serves as a headboard. Oversize letters form an impromptu monogram above the makeshift headboard.

An antique daybed jump-started the timeless scheme for this guest bedroom, which is elegant yet comfortable. Separating the headboard and footboard yielded two headboards perfect for a pair of twin beds. Blue-and-cream fabrics in classic motifs dress the beds, windows, and upholstered furniture. By mixing ticking stripes with three floral patterns -- all of which are set against a cream background -- the look remains unified and timeless.

Soften the edges of a hard bed frame with a simple, romantic canopy treatment. Drape yards of inexpensive sheer white fabric over two swing-arm curtain rods, allowing the fabric to cascade in waterfall-style around the headboard. Bunch the fabric together for a full-effect and edge it with white pom-pom trim for a flirty finish.

Soft taupe and cream toile fabric adorns the windows and headboard in this bedroom. An iron chandelier painted the same mocha color as the walls and a carved wooden mirror finished with off-white paint match the romance of the fabric.

Salvaged finds, such as a dressmaker form and a cake stand-turned-jewelry display, come to life against the backdrop of crisp white walls and bedding in this bedroom. A distressed blue chest delivers attractive storage and display space. An old wire shoe rack accessorized with a metal star and dried bouquets of flowers works in conjunction with shutters to turn the windows in character-rich focal points.

To achieve an all-American look, this painted iron bed is piled high with red, white, and blue linens. A floral dust ruffle lays the foundation for the color scheme, while sheets in cornflower blue and white, a red gingham comforter, a vintage quilt, and plaid and striped pillowcases continue the theme. An embroidered "Home Sweet Home" pillow completes the sentiment.

Evoke oceanside serenity with crisp turquoise accents layered on a sea of white. Shades of gray found on painted side tables, a striped floor rug, and a cotton throw keep this bedroom's bright palette from floating away.

An old hospital bed salvaged from a rusty heap behind an antiques shop delivers just the right touch of vintage chic to this bedroom. Soft green and blue bedding pops against the copper frame. A distressed side table stands bedside and provides storage and a place to display accessories. Framed children's artwork above the bed adds to the casual decor.

A checkered quilt, used as a ceiling-high headboard, introduces instant vintage appeal to this master bedroom. The soft blue of the pattern in the quilt is echoed by chalky milk paint on a primitive armoire and a distressed finish on a curvaceous antique Swedish bench at the foot of the bed.

To boost the presence of an underwhelming headboard while putting a cottage spin on a bedroom scheme, decorate the blank wall above a headboard with ceramic plates. Here, red transferware dishes are used to amplify the pretty reflection of a painted mirror. For headache-free hanging, trace the perimeter of each plate onto crafts paper, cut out, and tape to a wall to finalize your design before hammering any nails.

Pastel colors are a popular choice for cottage-style rooms, but richer colors also can create a cozy feel. Chocolate brown, warm gold, and crisp white accented with touches of rose create an inviting color palette in this bedroom. Floral sheets shirred on an antique screen and mounted to the wall bring the headboard into bloom.

For cozy appeal, hang timeworn artwork on a bedroom wall. A 1920s Belgian tapestry, picked up for $35 at a flea market, imbues this room with old-world character. A lamp base in the figure of an aristocratic lady adds charm to the space. Floral bedding and curtains strike a romantic note.

In a cottage-style bedroom, it's hard to go overboard with toile. Whether you use a little or a lot, this classic French print exudes a comforting elegance. This bedroom tempers an abundance of toile wallpaper with a bed dressed and crowned in white fabrics. A bed ruffle subtly reintroduces the print down low, bringing the use of the pattern full circle.

Cottage style is all about the mix -- not the match -- as illustrated in this bedroom, where damask-style curtains frame a bed dressed in a pink geometric-pattern duvet that's topped with an assortment of vibrant accent pillows. Vintage side tables and a curvy French bench keep the modern mix of patterns feeling comfortable and cozy.

Layers of sky blue and white bedding lend this guest room a warm and welcoming air. A lightly ruffled bed skirt and the scalloped edges of a blanket introduce a simple sweetness that's echoed by silk lampshades and a dreamy sheep rendered in oil paints above the bed.