Are you building a new home, or just want to change the look of your current home?  If you want a change that is cozy and welcomes all who enter your home, consider the country cottage theme.  This is one decorating style that is perfect for those who prefer a home that is relaxed; a place you can really call “home”.

Consider the interior and exterior of your home

When creating the country cottage theme, don’t neglect the outside of your home!  Rose bushes are perfect for this style of decorating; consider a couple of trellises for climbing roses and vines to add to the charm.

Lace or lace-trimmed curtains are perfect for the windows, and they add to the exterior appeal as well.  From the inside of your home, lace curtains will provide a certain measure of privacy while allowing natural light to flow through your home, highlighting wood furnishings and other pieces of art.

Toss the clutter

No matter what style you use to decorate your home, too much clutter makes the room look messy and unkempt.  In the country cottage style of decorating, you will use more accessories than you might in other decor themes, but you still want to avoid overkill.  A few carefully chosen accents which you cherish are all it takes to bring the look together.

Furnishings = comfort

The country cottage theme is all about relaxation and comfort.  Upholstered sofas, chairs and love seats with thick padding are not only comfortable, they are beautiful and colorful.  Choose multi-colored patterns in shades of emerald, garnet, gold, olive and sky blue for furniture that doesn’t show soil or wear and tear, particularly if you have pets or children.

For the bedroom, think canopy or sleigh beds topped with handmade quilts.  An antique or distressed nightstand is the perfect touch; for the bathroom, consider a marble-top washstand.

The perfect accents finish things off

The accessories and accents you use when decorating your home with a country cottage theme completes the look.  Baskets, pottery items and decorative bottles all work great with this style of decor.  A large vintage vase is perfect for holding the toilet brush in the bath; decorative bottles filled with wildflowers look charming on the windowsill or a wall shelf.  A large country bouquet placed in the center of the kitchen table adds a splash of color while adding heavenly scent to the room.

For the walls, use things which are your personal favorites.  Nature-themed artwork is great for the living room walls; birds and landscapes depicting an English cottage set among rolling hills and wildflowers is beautiful and adds to the relaxing atmosphere.

Many of the accents you use for the country cottage theme can be found at flea markets, estate sales and antique shops.  Keep your eye open for those things that really jump out at you and you can create the most beautiful home ever.

Country cottage decorating creates a look for your home that is easy, old-fashioned and uncomplicated.  If you love a look that leans toward charming and romantic and creates an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation, country cottage style is perfect.  This article offers tips and ideas for designing your home in a style that is totally inviting and warm. The colors that are most frequently used in this style of decorating are lighter shades of blue, yellow, rose and green.  Today, however, the look can look very modern and trendy if you choose to use bright red, green and yellow accents against a neutral sand or cream background.

Choose Your Color Palette First
Before you start choosing the furnishings, floors or accents you want to use, determine your color palette.  If you go with the pastel shades, you may want to use blue on the walls, a soft pale green or any other light color.  Should you decide to go with the bold colors, paint walls a sand or bisque hue.  Either way, choose a dominant color for the room, then work the furnishings and accents around this color.

Furnishings – Old, New, or Flea Market!
In the country cottage style of decorating, furnishings can be mixed and matched.  Your goal is to create a simple, uncomplicated look.  Worn furniture is perfect, whether it is truly worn or you have designed it to look that way by sanding edges to give it a worn effect.  Wicker and wrought iron are excellent choices, and wooden furniture should be of lighter shades, even distressed white.  Pieces can mix and match or you can paint all of the furnishings so they match.  Flea markets are a good place to find simple pieces at a bargain!

The Perfect Fabrics
Pattern and fabric consistency play an important role in country cottage décor.  Stripes, florals, checks and solids all work well together, as long as you follow the chosen color palette.  Natural fabrics such as cotton, chenille and chintz add depth and interest to the room.  Lots of throw pillows for the bed in various color-coordinated patterns are essential in creating a charming, relaxed atmosphere for the room.

Accessories – Think Outside the Box
When it comes to the accessories you want to use for country cottage decorating, use your imagination!  Use an old antique trunk as an end table, or reuse draperies you have had stored for a decade as a kitchen tablecloth.  Cracked pitchers filled with greenery add a nice touch.  Anything you truly love that is simple and uncomplicated will work perfectly.  Flea market finds, old things you have had stored, and reproductions help you create a home that reflects your personality, and feels so comfortable and welcoming that guests will never want to leave. If you think country cottage style decorating sounds like a dream, do a little browsing online.  You will find plenty of examples of just how beautiful, yet simple, this style of décor really is – and how easy it is to create the look for your own home.