How to Adopt English Cottage Style in Your Home

The nostalgic English cottage decor style is immediately peaceful and welcoming—whether it’s the sense of comfort or the whimsical atmosphere of the room, there’s just something about the rural look that makes you want to cuddle up with a good book and unwind.

Fortunately for us city residents, the English cottage style is not limited to rural roads or well managed Instagram feeds. In truth, incorporating the English cottage design into your house is more simpler than you may imagine.
Remember not to overcomplicate things.
“English houses have history and are frequently cobbled together with pieces discovered and inherited,” explains Liberty Riggs-Nichols, Founder and Lead Designer of Studio Riggs. This is excellent news if you’ve been saving old furniture or décor from family members, but it’s also something you can simply replicate by visiting your local thrift store or antique shop.
The King of Comfort
Comfortable furniture will be your best choice, not just for English cottage aesthetics, but also for the whole cosy feel that the English countryside is renowned for. “You won’t find a La-Z-Boy in a typical English home, but you will find comfy and relaxed things,” adds Riggs-Nichols. “Whether it’s a comfy rolled-arm accent chair or a slipcovered couch.”
Accept a Little Oddity
“We take ourselves a bit more seriously in America than our self-deprecating friends over the pond,” adds Riggs-Nichols. “I believe that one of the reasons English design is having such a moment right now is because it isn’t scared to be a bit whimsical and strange.” Embracing a little quirky might be difficult if you’re not accustomed to letting go and allowing a little oddity to show through in your design, but it will get easier as you lean into themes or hobbies you’re naturally attracted to.
Plants and flowers should not be overlooked.
While many people believe that the interior is more significant, there are numerous things you can do to give the front of your home an English cottage vibe. Smaller alterations include integrating a stone walkway in your yard, as well as a variety of lush green plants.
Colors and patterns are appealing to you.
According to Richard Petrie, Interior Expert at Thomas Sanderson, the English cottage style is highly influenced by lively patterns and vivid colours, particularly in wall treatments and fabrics. Rather of immediately renovating your area with a slew of various designs, try beginning with a statement wall or purchasing in slip covers and working your way up.
Consider Installing Mirrors—
Strategically
Light and airy spaces are common in traditional English cottages. Whether you have huge windows or a little area, try positioning a mirror opposite your windows to create the illusion of extra light in the room, and don’t forget to experiment with placement to achieve the greatest view!
Embrace Whimsical Do-It-Yourself Projects
Smaller DIY projects may be an eco-friendly way to add some flare to your room without spending too much money on new items—and they’re also a fantastic way to nurture an English cottage atmosphere at home. Simple things like replacing the knobs on your closets and doors with old-fashioned vintage-style handles and making wicker baskets for storage can also contribute to the true cottage atmosphere.