Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Gardening
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Holidays
  • Rooms
  • Shopping
  • News

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      Don't let these pesky plants crash your garden party! The first step is to know your enemy. Then you'll know the best way to deal with your weed problem. Read More
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening
    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas
    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing
    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking
    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you're a beginner baker who's just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We'll help you set up a baking essentials kit for beginners with 21 pastry tools. For those who already own these handy tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking tools and equipment inventory starts here.
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating
    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement, has grown into a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Valentine's Day
    • Mother's Day
    • Easter
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July/Memorial Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Juneteenth
    • Hanukkah
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms
    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • Shopping
  • News

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Decorating
  3. Styles & Decor
  4. Cottage-Style Decor
  5. House Decorating: A Citrus Color Scheme for a Family Cottage

House Decorating: A Citrus Color Scheme for a Family Cottage

February 19, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Personality-Packed Accents
An art-inspired palette with juicy pops of color gives this vintage cottage a punchy beach style.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Contemporary Cottage

contemporary cottage with orange door

Bright white paint, blue-gray shutters, and a breezy wraparound front porch give this coastal cottage a vintage beach style. But look a bit closer and you'll notice the home's tangy twist on tradition; the punch delivers the moment you knock on the tangerine door and experience its interior's fresh-squeezed color scheme.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fresh & Fun Living Room

Fresh & Fun Living Room

With four kids and two dogs, this family cottage sees a lot of hustle and bustle -- and its color palette is just as lively. An abstract painting above the mantel was the inspiration for the interior color scheme. Punctuated with colors that resonate with the outdoors, the painting's tropical blues and greens turn up throughout the home -- on a vintage coffee table, glass bottles, fishing floats, and even a bedroom ceiling.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Well-Loved Comfort

Well-Loved Comfort

With soft textures, washable slipcovers, and seagrass carpets, the living room has a fresh-and-easy feel that invites the whole family to pile in for a movie or spread out with a jigsaw puzzle. The home doesn't have a bonus room or basement, so every space is meant to be lived in and comfortable.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Back to Basics

Back to Basics

Neutral, steadfast sofas and chairs make a cost-effective foundation for the living room's decor. The pieces can remain without looking out of place if accessories and wall colors were to change down the road.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fresh Display

Fresh Display

With its timeworn turquoise paint, a vintage farm table (used as a coffee table) fits right in with this home's relaxed attitude. The color also happens to perfectly match the beloved family painting that hangs above the fireplace. A bright vase brings a touch of the tropical green from the painting to the coffee table and creates a place to display fresh flowers.

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Welcoming Entry

Welcoming Entry

Functioning as entryway and main traffic artery, a wide central hallway makes this home a welcome place to step into. Built-in bookcases tucked under the stairwell serve as a both focal point and a place to showcase photographs, while area rugs define the space and soften the architectural space.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Twist on Tradition

A Twist on Tradition

A feel-good blue keeps dining room walls fresh and bright, while a traditional dining set is shaken up with vivid touches of color. Stationary curtain panels were stitched from horizontal strips of coral and white linen. Dark wood tones found in the table and chairs ground the light hues.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Savvy Seating

Savvy Seating

Beyond the dining room, a stylish built-in bench offers a spot to relax in the hallway. The unexpected nook is a comfortable place to read or catch up on the day's events. Graphic-pattern pillows create a common tie between several warm hues; the space blends red tones from the dining area with the living room's orange accents for a warm, zesty look.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tabletop Collection

Tabletop Collection

Even in the smallest details, tropical blues and greens are played up throughout the home. Here, a collection of glass bottles creates an elegant assembly on a vintage wooden table. A mirror hung behind the display reflects light and multiplies the bottles' sparkle.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Light & Bright Kitchen

Light & Bright Kitchen

Be it casual dining, entertaining, or socializing, a white kitchen becomes an instant canvas for whatever's going on. Texture comes from wavy glass cabinet fronts, a tongue-and-groove backsplash, counters made from crushed oyster shells, and a beaded-board ceiling.

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Energy Eatery

large sunny banquette with windows

Wrapped in an uplifting tropical palette, bold bursts of vivid color form one energetic eating area. The extroverted hues are tamed with warm woods and calm neutrals. Cushions and pillows sewn from recycled coffee bags beckon guests to pile onto the banquette, and barely-there acrylic chairs balance the heavy wood table.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bold & Beautiful

Skirted Tables

In the primary bedroom, the homeowners' love of bold color is balanced with a desire to create a soothing space. A teal stripe on the drapery panels and table skirt mirrors the painted ceiling. Lying in bed, the color seems calm and not too busy, which is exactly what a bedroom should be.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Color Connection

Color Connection

Using pillows and accessories is a smart way to tie in colors that don't match perfectly, and just a small dose will do the trick. A richly detailed throw pillow in the primary bedroom introduces playful color variations based on the home's citrus palette.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Outdoor Living Area

Outdoor Living Area

Facing west, the screen porch is the family's favorite spot to watch sunsets and catch the evening breeze. A high ceiling gives the space an airy feel, while its almost-enclosed walls extend its use into cooler months of the year. A vintage German biergarten table and benches wear their original orange paint and fold for easy storage.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Personality-Packed Accents

Personality-Packed Accents

Style-setting elements, such as an eclectic lighting piece, cozy seating, and vibrant throw pillows, make the screen porch feel like an extension of the living room. A wicker chair and wooden sculptural elements offer worry-free maintenance and eye-catching texture to the outdoor space.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15 Contemporary Cottage
    2 of 15 Fresh & Fun Living Room
    3 of 15 Well-Loved Comfort
    4 of 15 Back to Basics
    5 of 15 Fresh Display
    6 of 15 Welcoming Entry
    7 of 15 A Twist on Tradition
    8 of 15 Savvy Seating
    9 of 15 Tabletop Collection
    10 of 15 Light & Bright Kitchen
    11 of 15 Energy Eatery
    12 of 15 Bold & Beautiful
    13 of 15 Color Connection
    14 of 15 Outdoor Living Area
    15 of 15 Personality-Packed Accents

    Share & More

    Tweet Email Send Text Message
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
    Better Homes & Gardens

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithBH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Better Homes & Gardens. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

    Sign in

    View image

    House Decorating: A Citrus Color Scheme for a Family Cottage
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.