Collaborative post
The pandemic has made rural life more attractive for many people in the UK, but the urge to move to the country goes back a long way.
In the late Victorian period, the Industrial Revolution led many Britons to abandon cities in favour of quaint cottages situated amidst beautiful green scenery.
House & Garden insists that cottage-style interiors aren’t “restricted to cottages themselves though – anyone can bring a touch of this traditional design into their home”. Here are a few ways you can embrace English cottage décor in your own home.
Add a mudroom
English cottages are often located on working farms or out in the countryside. As a result, many people who live in these cottages need somewhere to deposit grit and grime as well as leave boots, gloves and hats when entering the house.
Better Homes & Gardens shows how a mudroom at your home could be fitted out, adding: “This durable, rugged slate and long, trough-style sink look just as handsome indoors as they do outside.”
Decorate a kitchen as though it’s a patio
For this English cottage décor hack, simply display items intended for the patio in your kitchen instead.
For example, a weathered set of table and chairs could serve as the centrepiece, while fresh flowers and even a crystal chandelier can provide eye-catching flourishes.
Resist painting over scraped surfaces
The aesthetic imperfections of cottages are key to their charm. So, if your home currently has a few painted fittings and other pieces that are less than perfect, you don’t necessarily need to panic.
As well as helping you to embrace the English cottage vibe, a less showy home can also come across as a more welcoming one, and make visitors feel more at ease.
Use shutters instead of curtains
Window shutters are another easy way to add a touch of English cottage décor to your home. Traditionally, shutters have been used to control sunlight as well as protect interiors from harsh weather. Shutters are also a good choice for rooms that could benefit from extra privacy.
You can even install shutters in a relatively compact room. John Banta, a senior test project leader at Consumer Reports, claims that a brushless drill like a Makita Combi Drill Brushless would enable you to get into such spaces without compromising on drill power.
Add cottage-style storage containers
Good examples of these would include jars, bowls and bins – none of which have to look perfect or all match exactly. These storage options would be especially well-suited to craft rooms and sewing spaces.
There are many different places you could shop for cottage-style accessories. Flea markets and thrift shops are great options to get you started.
Place slipcovers over mismatched furniture to unify them
Not only are slipcovers in keeping with the cottage style, they are also wonderfully convenient for making sure a range of disparate furniture pieces work well together.
When time is especially tight, slipcovers can also be used to conceal worn or stained upholstery. Using slipcovers is an easy way to protect heirloom pieces from incurring damage too.
Have you embraced English cottage décor in your home?
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