Decorating Guides
7 Ways to Get Modern Cottage Style
See how to combine the warm and welcoming feel of an English cottage interior with a simple, pared-back aesthetic
Love the idea of a cottage aesthetic but want to bring it more up to date? Modern cottage style takes the warmth and coziness of traditional cottage style but pares it down a little to create a cleaner, more airy look. Placing an emphasis on natural materials, soft tones and a link to the outdoors but avoiding some of the fussier elements, modern cottage style is fresh, inviting and comfortable to live with. Here’s how to make it work.
2. Include Natural Materials
Natural textures are key to this look. Wood, stone, jute, linen and wool will all provide a link to nature and work together to create a fuss-free scheme.
Go for clean-lined furniture shapes for a contemporary take. Choosing unpainted wood that allows the grain to show through and undyed fabrics in natural tones will help to create a tactile and earthy scheme that provides a link to the outdoors all year round.
Smaller elements, such as jute or seagrass baskets, can also help to introduce pleasing texture in a simple way.
Natural textures are key to this look. Wood, stone, jute, linen and wool will all provide a link to nature and work together to create a fuss-free scheme.
Go for clean-lined furniture shapes for a contemporary take. Choosing unpainted wood that allows the grain to show through and undyed fabrics in natural tones will help to create a tactile and earthy scheme that provides a link to the outdoors all year round.
Smaller elements, such as jute or seagrass baskets, can also help to introduce pleasing texture in a simple way.
3. Tone Down Traditional Patterns
Cottage style has always drawn heavily on florals, checks and gingham patterns. Modern cottage style references this but dials it down a notch. While traditional patterns are still key, their use is more grown-up and subtle.
Florals, ticking and stripes are used with restraint and layered with plenty of crisp plain linen. Different patterns can also be mixed together, but try to keep the tones similar to avoid too much clashing.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Cottage style has always drawn heavily on florals, checks and gingham patterns. Modern cottage style references this but dials it down a notch. While traditional patterns are still key, their use is more grown-up and subtle.
Florals, ticking and stripes are used with restraint and layered with plenty of crisp plain linen. Different patterns can also be mixed together, but try to keep the tones similar to avoid too much clashing.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
4. Layer Cozy Textiles
Warmth and comfort are essential to getting this style right. Layer beds with plenty of deep cushions and soft throws, hang thick curtains down to the floor to eliminate drafts, and choose upholstered furniture with soft curves — nothing too ornate — and generous padding.
In a living room, choose armchairs and sofas with deep, comfortable seats, ensure throws and blankets are close at hand, and layer soft texture underfoot with a thick rug or natural wool carpet.
Warmth and comfort are essential to getting this style right. Layer beds with plenty of deep cushions and soft throws, hang thick curtains down to the floor to eliminate drafts, and choose upholstered furniture with soft curves — nothing too ornate — and generous padding.
In a living room, choose armchairs and sofas with deep, comfortable seats, ensure throws and blankets are close at hand, and layer soft texture underfoot with a thick rug or natural wool carpet.
5. Weave In Vintage or Reclaimed Furniture
History and heritage are key to this style, and antique furniture can help provide a link to the past. The secret is to mix in a few found or inherited pieces with more contemporary furniture to bring the look up to date.
Antique writing desks, chests of drawers and armoires all add plenty of vintage charm, and they can often be found at antiques sales or online marketplaces. Choose pieces that have plenty of character and personality, and embrace the chips, dents and marks that hint at a rich previous life.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
History and heritage are key to this style, and antique furniture can help provide a link to the past. The secret is to mix in a few found or inherited pieces with more contemporary furniture to bring the look up to date.
Antique writing desks, chests of drawers and armoires all add plenty of vintage charm, and they can often be found at antiques sales or online marketplaces. Choose pieces that have plenty of character and personality, and embrace the chips, dents and marks that hint at a rich previous life.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
6. Soften Your Decor With Flowers and Greenery
A link to the seasons and a connection to the natural world is essential to cottage style. Bring in large bunches of foraged flowers or seasonal greenery for an instant link to the outdoors and to create that effortless cottage charm. Using glass or clean-lined vases will give it a contemporary twist.
Potted plants or windowsill herbs are another way to get a hit of fresh greenery in your home, and growing fresh herbs to cook with can further create a connection to the seasons. Looking after plants indoors is also a way to embrace slow and mindful living, which very much applies with modern cottage style.
A link to the seasons and a connection to the natural world is essential to cottage style. Bring in large bunches of foraged flowers or seasonal greenery for an instant link to the outdoors and to create that effortless cottage charm. Using glass or clean-lined vases will give it a contemporary twist.
Potted plants or windowsill herbs are another way to get a hit of fresh greenery in your home, and growing fresh herbs to cook with can further create a connection to the seasons. Looking after plants indoors is also a way to embrace slow and mindful living, which very much applies with modern cottage style.
7. Favor Simple Wood Paneling
Wood paneling is another key element of this style. As shown here, it can be used as a practical and hardwearing wall treatment in any room from a kitchen to a hallway or even a bedroom.
Rather than a more decorative style of wall paneling, simple shiplap boards or tongue-and-groove paneling painted in a pale neutral are practical choices that can be wiped clean when used in a hallway or high-traffic area, or as a backsplash.
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Wood paneling is another key element of this style. As shown here, it can be used as a practical and hardwearing wall treatment in any room from a kitchen to a hallway or even a bedroom.
Rather than a more decorative style of wall paneling, simple shiplap boards or tongue-and-groove paneling painted in a pale neutral are practical choices that can be wiped clean when used in a hallway or high-traffic area, or as a backsplash.
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
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Forget crisp whites and cool grays, modern cottage style draws on a warmer color palette, often inspired by nature and designed to create a soothing and welcoming space.
Keep things on the paler side for a modern take — think soft sand tones, warm cream and pinky beiges — and avoid anything too dark or bright as the aim is to create a wash of color that feels organic and soothing. This will allow you to create a soft backdrop against which to layer textiles and furniture.
To help choose neutrals that suit your home, look outside for clues and be inspired by the tones found in your local landscape.
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