How To Implement Cottage Style Décor
Straight from the cosy, sleek design of Scandi cottage core, comes the charming cottage style décor.
Encapsulating all the character of a cosy English cottage, tucked away in the countryside, cottage home décor brings a cosy feel to any home - no matter the location. So, if you want to turn your modern home into a rustic cottage, we’ve got a few pointers to get you started.
From cosy cottage décor ideas to what colours work best for this rustic style, keep reading for our top five cottage living room ideas.
1. Pick out cottage décor wall colours
No matter what style you’re bringing to your home, it’s always best to start with wall colours. This means that when you’re choosing furniture, you can pick cottage décor pieces to match.
When it comes to a cottage interior style, there are tons of lovely colours to choose from. Of course, you have the classic colour basics like beige or white, which are great for brightening up your home and creating the illusion of more space.
However, if you prefer the eye-catching to the room-brightening, then colours like sage green for all the walls, or a dark brown feature wall against a white backdrop is perfect.
Looking for something to really stand out? Well, wood panelling encapsulates the English cottage décor to a tee, and with panelling kits now available at many DIY retailers, can be cheaper and easier than you might think!
2. Embrace natural elements
Now your cosy cottage décor walls are sorted, it’s time to bring the fresh, flowering fields of the English countryside right into the heart of your home. In summer, you might copy the joyful sunflower fields and pick up some fresh yellows for your new cottage living room. Keep these in a spacious vase, filled with water, and leave in direct sunlight to really let them shin
Depending on the time of year, daffodils, tulips, roses and even wildflowers also make beautiful additions to your cosy cottage living room.
For a touch of au naturale that lasts a little bit longer, dried flowers, dried lavender, and dried wheat or cotton plants are just as delightful without the necessary upkeep. Layer these together and pop them in a tall, thin vase, keeping them out of direct sunlight.
3. Be eclectic with your sofa choices
We’ve reached our favourite part of the decorating process at DFS – picking out the perfect sofa to match your cottage interior design.
If classic is key to your English cottage décor, the more traditional sofa shape, the better! We think there’s nothing better than an English roll arm sofa: with soft rounded edges, spacious plump pillows, and a low-slung design, these sofas are timeless and chic. Take it back to basics with colour here, too. Beige or grey are perfect for this look.
Make your cottage décor more modern
No cottage-style hideaway is complete without a flurry of patterns and prints. Think accent chairs with patterned footstools and rustic leather sofas, in luscious brown shades, stacked high with throws. Don’t forget to add some scatter cushions to achieve that ultimate homely feel!
4. Display your ornaments
Let’s get playful! One of the easiest ways to bring that cosy cottage home décor to your living room is to pick up some decorative ornaments.
Vases to hold your flowers is a great start, but smaller souvenirs, decorative trays to hold teapots and teacups, and framed photos of families and friends are just as essential for cottage décor. You could even try out ceramic bird ornaments or natural wood abstract decorations if you want something more unique. Get the ultimate country cottage vibe by hunting for your ornaments secondhand at antique shops, car boot sales, or on online apps like Vinted or eBay.
No cosy English cottage is complete without a wide array of lovely books either – even better when displayed on a rustic wooden bookshelf. But don’t be afraid of using your bookshelf to store other cottage décor ornaments too. Hanging plants or flowers will look dashing draping languidly from the edge of your rustic bookshelf, just make sure you keep water a safe distance from your books to avoid any accidental water damage.
5. Use cosy lighting options
Lighting plays a huge role in emulating the warm, cosy feel of a cottage interior style. You’ll want to create a calm and inviting atmosphere to bathe your cottage living room in a relaxing glow. The easiest way to do this is to pick up a few lighting options that you can scatter throughout the room.
Try out wall lamps for the corners and a dimmable light for the main ceiling light. And don’t forget table lamps – these are perfect for providing a bit of light as you dive into the latest read on your bookshelf. When the evening comes, lighting up some candles (or a log burner if you’re lucky enough to have one) will create a lovely soft glow in your cottage living room. Just be sure to put these out before going to bed!
6. Explore warm, sunlit colour palettes
A simple way to infuse your home with cottagecore cosiness is by sticking to a warm, inviting colour palette, such as earthy terracotta, honey yellows, blush pinks, and creamy taupes. The result? An effortlessly inviting living space that perfectly evokes that sunlit, countryside charm.
If you’re looking for a subtle, understated look, use your accessories to seamlessly add these shades to your décor – a dusky rose throw here or there, burnt orange scatter cushions in the corner, or a sumptuous mustard-toned rug, like our Tredby rug. Alternatively, for those who want to go all out with these warm colours, a sunny, orange sofa always makes a warm yet eye-catching statement.
A colour palette this warm will instantly wrap your space in a golden glow that feels just like late-afternoon sunlight streaming through a cottage window.
Scatter cushions
Rugs
Orange sofas
7. Embrace grandmacore for extra cosy charm
Want to take this countryside cottage charm to the next level? Try embracing grandmacore décor for an extra dose of comfort and nostalgia.
What on earth is grandmacore, we hear you ask? This décor is all about celebrating personality, pattern, and sentiment. It’s the perfect way to make your home feel lived-in and loved!
To commit to this nostalgic style, start by layering soft textiles to create instant warmth. Crochet blankets draped over sofas, embroidered cushions on armchairs, and patchwork throws on beds all add to the cosy, curated feel. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, too – the more eclectic, the more charming. You might choose a floral centrepiece like our Charlbury accent chair or Arundel sofa to pair a gingham throw or patterned cushion.
You could also bring a hint of grandmacore style to your space by showing off your favourite treasures. Vintage Chinaware or heirloom trinkets look especially beautiful on open shelving, while the likes of framed family photos or small plants help make the space feel uniquely yours. It’s these small changes that tell the story of your home, making every corner feel intentional
8. Play with textures and contrasts
We love cosy cottage interiors for their endearing, eclectic approach to décor – which is why finding the right texture combinations is so important.
Soft and chunky textiles are a great place to start. Try a knitted wool throw casually draped over a linen sofa, or our velvet Kent footstool paired with cotton cushions. This layering instantly creates an authentic and inviting lived-in feel. Eye-catching texture contrasts are just as appealing – why not try wicker baskets for storage, wooden coffee tables with natural grain, or hand-woven rattan chairs?
Ready to tune the big city out and let the idyllic country décor in? We thought so – you can start shopping for your coffee tables, sofa, and rugs now! Or, if you’re not sure, head over to our inspiration page for more style advice.
