Although this particular design style originated in English countryside households, you don’t have to be living in England on a rolling hillside to pull off the country cottage design look in your home!

It’s a look that’s popularly used when people are decorating their cabins by the lake to give an old-fashioned, cozy appearance to their vacation space.

However, people are also incorporating the grandmother-approved style into their own homes, wanting the same comforting appeal they get when they visit the old cabin or Granny herself!

North America was introduced to the country cottage design by the arrival of British aristocrats from across the Atlantic. When these aristocrats began to construct their very own country cottages from simple materials like brick, mud, or stone, North Americans took notice of the charming, quaint interiors the British put together inside their homes. To them, the country cottage style was all about simplicity, yet class at the same time.

Get the country cottage style into your home by starting with the wall colour. What colours represent country cottage? Consider anything pale and fresh, like cream, soft blue or neutral green. The following paint samples are from Benjamin Moore:

Furnishings made from lighter shades of wood are ideal for a country cottage home. Unfinished pine, maple, or oak is a perfect selection, or any piece that’s been painted a fresh bright white.

Lifestyle Solutions Country Cottage White Bed 3 Piece Bedroom Set

Floral patterns are seen a lot in the country cottage style. There are many ways you can incorporate a floral pattern into your home – through drapes, rugs, sofa slips, cushions, tapestries – the list goes on!

Powell Nostalgic Oak Cedar Chest with Floral Tapestry Top

What are some more popular features concerning country cottage?

Bay window seating

A large wall featuring plenty of shelving to display books, knickknacks, and fresh flowers

Lace – whether it’s hanging from the beds or the windows

Beaded board on the walls

Wall art featuring wildlife, maps, or antique family photos

So if you’ve been wanting a delightful, pleasing atmosphere in your living space that simply says “home”, why not try out the country cottage design style?

Nicolette Interior Design Diva

Inspired by British homes decorated from the early 1900’s to the 1950’s, the shabby chic home look is charmingly vintage – on a budget. The biggest feature with shabby chic design is old-world pieces that have been whitewashed. The main colours in shabby chic décor are pure white, cream, and soft pastels (think yellows, pinks, and greens). Shimmery chandeliers and floral prints top off this quaint, cottage-esque look.

It’s incredibly simple to put this look together, so why not look through the following different room types and get the shabby chic home style going in your household?

Shabby Chic Home Design: Living Room

There are so many décor options that give off a shabby chic vibe. Look for comfy, neutral-hued couches, floral slipcovers, distresses tables, and a vintage-looking armoire.

Stanley Furniture Portofino Ivory End Table

Stanley Furniture Portofino Ivory Coffee Table

Wynwood Hampton Cove Rectangular White Cocktail Table with Glass Inserts

Klaussner Furniture Treasures White TV Armoire

Sure Fit Chloe Box Seat Wing Slipcover

Sure Fit Lexington Box Seat Loveseat Slipcover

Distinction Leather Ashley Sofa (multiple finishes)

Van Gogh Designs Kate Modern Contempary Sofa

Shabby Chic Home Design: Dining Room

Dine in style by infusing the shabby chic look into your dining room. All you’ll need to get the look is a whitewashed dining table, a floral print rug, a bejewelled chandelier, and a place to display your china or collectibles.

Klaussner Furniture Treasures 7 Piece Dining Set

Couristan Covington Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Collection – Floral Paisley/Neutrals-Blue

Couristan Covington Indoor/Outdoor Area Patterned Rug Collection – Florencia/Beige

AF Lighting Belinda Four Light Chandelier

ELK Lighting Princess Silver Chandelier

American Drew Camden China Cabinet

Howard Miller Preston Vanilla White Display Curio Cabinet

Home Styles Furniture Antique White Pedestal Dining Table Set

Shabby Chic Home Design: Bedroom

If you like the idea of shabby chic, but you’re not into your entire home being decorated in its style, then save it for your bedroom! It’s a comfy, cozy look that gives your bedroom a feminine, romantic feel. 

Hillsdale House Wilshire Antique White Single Bedside Dresser

Hillsdale Wilshire Antique White Metal Bed

Lexington Long Cove 5 Shelf Bayville Barrister Bookcase with 6 Sliding Glass Doors in Shell White Finish

Lexington Long Cove Newport Carved Poster Bed in Shell White

Charister Home Fashion Mirabella Comforter

Mystic Valley Traders Arboretum Sprout European Pillow Sham

Van Gogh Designs Terry Chair and a Half

Shabby Chic Home Design: Girl’s Room

There isn’t a better place to showcase the shabby chic style than a little girl’s room! The bright white furniture will make her feel like a princess, and decorating with pastels comes naturally in a girl’s bedroom.

Lea Emma’s Treasures White Girls Bed

Lea Emma’s Treasures Childrens Bedroom Vanity Table with Mirror

Young America by Stanley Isabella White Bunk Bed

Young America Isabella Half Round Pure White Girls Nightstand

Some final décor tips that follow the shabby chic home design look:

Since the look is all about antiques, scour your local flea market, garage sales, or your grandparent’s attic for vintage pieces and accessories.

Be creative and use everyday objects to decorate. Old mirrors can become coffee tabletops or serving trays, and old postcards or advertisements can be framed and hung on the wall as art. Shabby chic is all about home décor on a budget, so look for unique ways to be stylish and save money at the same time.

Since most of your furniture will be white, don’t worry about clashing colours when it comes to accessorizing. All of your focal point pieces, like bookshelves and coffee tables, will be whitewashed, so they can easily go with any objects you decorate with. Shabby chic isn’t necessarily about matching – collect all the knick-knacks you want to display and don’t worry about any colour coordination. It’s difficult to go over-the-top with this design style.

Shabby chic furniture is a fun, charismatic, and timeless way to decorate, so don’t be afraid to give it a shot!

Nicolette Interior Design Diva