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[C1125]Cottage Style Decorating Ideas

by James Allen, Jam

The cottage style is a style where everything old is new again! If you're a champion bargain hunter who loves to navigate flea markets and Grandma's attic for that perfectly charming wagon, hat box or antique plate, and you want a style to match your passion for quaint decor and your casual lifestyle, then the cottage look may be perfect for you. Almost anything goes when putting this look together, and that's just how you like it.

As far colors go, perish any thoughts about electric pink and neon green. Modern, overly bold colors need not apply for the cottage look. However, the rest of the color world is left to plunder to your liking. For a picturesque, English-style Cottage, go with rosy pinks and ivy greens. Or, go coastal with blues, beige and other calming neutrals. And for rustic, go forest green and tawny brown. And don't forget your whites, off-whites and grays. Because it's easy to make a mistake mixing prints and colors, make the foundation an easy to match neutral (like ivory or cream) and use one unifying color per item or textile accent (lilac, for example).

You want your room to look like it's always been lived in and loved. Consequently, now is not the time to refurbish your wood floors, but count your good fortune in every distressed detail of older planks. If warmth and comfort are you main concerns, throw a plushy braided throw for a homey, inviting look. When picking rugs, choose softer, faded-looking colors and consider the patterns on your walls and fabrics to ensure a good match.

Vintage-looking light fixtures are your friend. Lights that lack that shiny new feel are appropriate for your decor, as are ones that appear to have jugs, vases or some other charming component as a base. Crystal chandeliers or wrought iron fixtures work well too!

Cottage style decorating for the home interior carries with it a very warm and inviting feeling. With this in mind you may already be thinking about the types of colors you will be painting your walls, the type of upholstery you will be interested in for your cushions, chairs and couches, as well as the style of furniture that would best suit this fashion.

The one aspect you will need to keep in mind if you have chosen cottage style decorating for your theme is to remember that although cottage designs are similar to country, there are some important differences that make these two styles separate from one another.

For instance, although cottage style decorating has the similar interior simplicity, and warmth as a basic country style, it is altogether more modern.

In order to give you more ideas to think about when using cottage style decorating as your home design, you may wish to take the following tips into consideration:

Think Wicker or Think Wood - When it comes to furniture for cottage style decorating, the most authentic looking pieces are those made of wicker or wood. The reason for this is because these furnishings appear more natural, and rustic, and are often associated with the outdoors.

Floral Patterns and Bright Prints - When it comes to the upholstery of your furnishing pieces, the cottage style decorating theme is all about bold and vibrant colorful patterns, with the most popular patterns often being floral.

Warm Colored Walls - The walls of a room that are based on cottage style decorating should be fashioned in warm colors such as tones of yellow, and terracotta. You may also want to add a stencil or wallpaper border to the top of the wall in another color to add a nice accent to the wall.

Wood Floors and Area Rugs - Hardwood floors are the best look for a cottage themed room. If you cannot afford hardwood floors, you may be interested in using laminate, which is a good substitute in appearance for hardwood floors.

You will also find that area rugs make an excellent addition to the room. Just make sure you pick designs and patterns that will match with the upholstery in the room.

Simple and Sweet Accessories - The best type of cottage style decorating accessories are those that are personal and homemade.

Family photos are perfect for wall hangings, or for dressing up an end or coffee table.

Simple rustic paintings or those of flowers, or vegetables and fruit also add a nice touch. You may also be interested in a coo-coo clock for cottage-like decoration.

There you have it, some great ideas for you to consider when cottage style decorating your home. Keep in mind that you don't have to limit your cottage theme to one room; you can express this style in your living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and more. The choices truly are endless, and what's even better is they are all yours to make.

Article Source : Punch Interior Design Suite

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Both James Allen & Michael Holland are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

James Allen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Internet Marketing and Travel and Leisure. Eco-Furniture has one of the largest selections of platform beds and bed frames on the web. Check us out today: