How to Decorate Your Cottage

It’s August and that means plenty of summer days spent at the cottage. But take a look around: Are your surroundings suggesting ‘memories of 1985?’

Don’t get us wrong, we love the cozy vibe of an old-school cottage, but if your den is still sporting a floral or mallard-themed border, it might be time for a makeover.

Here are some quick and easy tips to take your cottage from shabby to chic.

Cottage Decor Tip #1: Away With Wallpaper

If you’re cottaging with terrible wallpaper and you’re ready for a change, you have two options: Remove it or paint over it.

As décor experts, painting over wallpaper is often a last resort option. We usually suggest stripping the old paper, patching and prepping the walls and starting anew. But it’s not a quick (or easy) option in this scorching summer heat. Also, depending on the condition of your walls, it could be disastrous, especially if you don’t have wallpaper-stripping experience.

Finally, stripping your cottage walls takes time and cottages are more about hanging on the dock rather than manual labour.

 

As long as you prepare the old wallpaper correctly, painting over it is a solid solution for your cottage décor update.

First, wash the wall surface with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt buildup or grime. Once it’s dry, check the wallpaper for any imperfections such as loose flaps or holes. Simply glue the flaps down and patch the holes with putty. Lightly sand the wall ensuring no lumps or bumps, then prime and paint like any other paint project. Easy!

Even painting over one wall can make a refreshing statement in your cottage and create a touch of French flair or sophisticated solitude you’ve always dreamed of.

Cottage Decor Tip #2: Whimsical Wood

Many old cottages are covered in wall-to-wall wood, which may have you feeling like you’re living in lumberjack headquarters, but this is a good thing! Wood is actually a fabulous backdrop for décor options around any space.

Think of wood the way you’d think of a neutral paint color like beige, white or tan. All you need to do is choose a few cozy accent colors to play up your surroundings.

If your wood is light like Ash or Beech, we suggest keeping things airy with a solid nautical palette of powder blue, dark blue, cream and white with chrome accents. You can use these colors in a variety of ways such as rugs, throw blankets, pillows and even furniture to soften up your space.

Our Bristol 2-Drawer Cabinet In White is a perfect accent piece to accentuate your lightwood interior with spacious drawers and bottom cabinet for quilts and cottage-y extras.

 

If your wood is dark like Walnut or Oak, we suggest keeping things rich and cozy with deep oranges, reds and hints of yellow or gold as a fabulous accent color against the dark wood.

For more !nspiration on working with wooden walls and ceilings, head this way.

Cottage Decor Tip #3: Add Some Front Porch Flair

If tackling the inside of your cottage isn’t quite on your summer to-do list, we recommend refreshing the exterior.

Start with the front door. There should be something pretty and elegant about it that says something about your personality.

Antique lovers may want to try swapping a basic boring door with an antique door from a favorite cottage market or architectural salvage store. If not, a simple coat of paint can liven it up just as well.

You could frame the door with an arch of topiaries or flowers; or make a statement with a wreath filled with seasonal flowers.

Walkways make a statement too. If your cottage walkway feels too hard-edged and straight, try softening up the lines with brick or flagstone using curved lines instead.

If all else fails, a beautiful garden filled with dainty flowers like Baby’s Breath and Trachelium make a softening difference to your exterior.

We hope these ideas have !nspired you to make a few changes so you can enjoy your cottage even more this summer. Are you thinking of taking the cottage makeover leap? We’d love to hear what’s on your agenda. Share your ideas with us in the comments below!