Cape cod decorating home
Cape Cod living room ideas |
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(Image credit: Rockport Building Partners / Sarah Szwajkos)
Cape Cod living rooms have an enduring appeal, and no wonder – since the British settlers built them in the 17th Century, Cape Cod homes have been the crown jewel of American architecture.
These residences have persisted in popularity, offering a home that’s both simple and resistant against inclement weather. But, just because Cape Cod house style is simple in form doesn’t mean it is boring. In fact, quite the opposite. There are plenty of ways to decorate a Cape Cod home and, if you’re in need for a great place to start, where better place to look than your living room?
Cape Cod living room ideas: the fundamentals
For many, the living room is the heart of any home, offering a place to gather with guests, spend quality time with family, or unwind after a particularly long day. And, as the focal point of your home, the living room can lay the groundwork for the rest of your space.
We've spoken with interior designers for their Cape Cod living room ideas – and how to get the look in your own home. And for even more inspiration, our Living room ideas feature has even more ways to update your social space.
1. Make the most of the view
(Image credit: Rockport Building Partners / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos)
If you're fortunate enough to have a home with ocean or lakeside views, then reconfiguring the architecture can maximize the benefits. Open plan kitchen ideas can be a great place to start, as they incorporate living and dining areas at the heart of your home.
'The key to creating this living room was to make an incredibly inviting space that would feel cozy without detracting from those jaw-dropping ocean views.' explains Casey Leonard of Rockport Building Partners in Maine.
'We took the warmth of the wood to the floors and ceilings and then went floor-to-ceiling with windows.
The contrast between the lighter-toned, warm woods and crisp white architectural details makes for a great balance between the traditional and modern cottage.'
(Image credit: Whittney Parkinson)
The centerpiece of this stunning room by Indianapolis-based designer Whittney Parkinson is the statement light fixture. Positioned at the apex of the room, the furniture pivots around this to create a beautifully ordered scheme that suits the simplicity of Cape Cod living room ideas and style.
'Positioning the vase, with its tall foliage display, beneath the light is very clever, as it creates a connection between the two and draws the room together visually,' says Andréa Childs, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine. 'It's a great example of how living room lighting ideas can transform a space.'
3. Make it monochrome
(Image credit: King)
By picking out architectural features such as windows and fireplaces in black, then combining them with white walls and ceiling, you can create a chic monochromatic background to your Cape Cod living room ideas.
Pared-back furniture pieces, such as these chic sofas and ottoman from King , keep the look sleek but still with an element of softness and easy comfort, which is key to the Cape Cod style. Minimalist living room ideas like this are best achieved if you're the clutter-free type – or have great storage!
4. Create a library-style living room
(Image credit: Maine Oceanfront Library / Sarah Szwajkos)
Dedicate a wall to library shelving and position a reading chair in front, to create a book nook area in your New England coastal style living room. It's just one way to bring to life your home library ideas.
This seaside home in New England has white wood walls with shiplap-style planks, trim and ceiling, along with the wood-burning fireplace. The built-in bookshelves beneath the stair create a beautifully tucked-in library.
5. Paint fitted cabinetry in shades of blue
(Image credit: Emma Sims-Hilditch)
This smart-casual sitting room created by British interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch shows the benefits of built-in cabinetry and living room storage ideas for making the most of a space.
'The unit has been designed and measured to fit around the original ceiling beams and to accommodate the couch and artworks perfectly,' says Country Homes & Interiors Editor, Andréa Childs.
'Choosing a mid-blue tone introduces a classic Cape Cod color scheme to define the look.'
6. Add in antique pieces
(Image credit: Georgia Zikas Design / Jane Beiles)
New England coastal style is more of a feeling than an exact formula for design, which means you can interpret your Cape Cod living room ideas in a truly unique and personal way – such as decorating with antiques.
'It's a mix of laidback luxury, historical charm and modern-day touches that create an overall calm and approachable environment, evocative of the way people live when near the beach or a body of water,' explains Georgia Zikas of Georgia Zikas Design .
'There is an overall easiness to the design; no fuss and an emphasis on liveable fabrics, furnishings, and color palettes.
This, alongside the incorporation of antiques or any pieces that connect to the history of New England, creates a truly unique and inviting design.'
7. Surprise with a playful element
(Image credit: Kirsten Conner Interior Design)
'Classic architectural features like built-in shelves and a mullioned window create an inviting space that resonates with our need for familiarity and calm in changing and chaotic times,' says Kirsten Conner, Founder of Kirsten Conner Interior Design in Seattle.
'In this room, I brought in a classic traditional Chesterfield sofa in an enveloping sapphire velvet and paired it with fawn leather armchairs that beckon you to sit.
'Modern Traditional elements such as strong primary colors, abstracted Persian rug motifs and punchy crimson Currey & Company lamps modernize the feeling.
An unexpected element – a faux mohair upholstered bench in front of the fireplace – also adds an electric synergy to the mix.'
8.
Pull in an accent color(Image credit: Georgia Zikas Design / Jane Beiles)
In this elegant Cape Cod living room designed by Georgia Zikas, small touches of blue lift the softly tonal scheme.
Just a few blue touches – the base of the coffee table, a single throw cushion, and some subtle stripes – are all it takes to introduce a New England vibe to the room.
9. Include ample seating
Photography/Eric Roth
(Image credit: Liz Caan)
Since the living room is the epicenter of many homes, it’s important to have ample space for the entire family – plus a few guests.
This space doubles down on seating, thanks to a set of couches and a few stools. With a palette of subtle neutral hues – plus the occasional woven materials – this living room strikes a nice balance between practical and coastal.
The throw pillows and rug also introduce warm, cozy living room ideas to make this a comfy and inviting space.
10. Remember the details
Photography/Dawn Yiannoullou
(Image credit: Havenly)
As the adage goes, the devil lies in the details — and your living room décor is no different.
This light and bright room is a perfect example of white living room ideas , but Havenly designer Lisa Marie Driscoll infuses this space with subtle touches like caned cabinets, a light wood coffee table, and a chevron-tiled hearth for extra interest.
The result? A cozy and comfortable living space that emulates the traditional Cape Cod-inspired aesthetic.
11. Make it symmetrical
Photography/Eric Roth
(Image credit: Liz Caan)
Tap into the architecture style’s rich, traditional history with some textbook design rules. This space is anchored with a wicker couch, plus symmetrical armchairs, side tables, lamps, and geometrical stools.
Although this seating set-up is part of a larger open-concept space, it's actually a great example of small living room decor ideas as it takes up just a small area of the larger room.
12. Source wicker furniture
Photography/Tria Giovan
(Image credit: Amanda Lindroth)
Another way to bring the coastal spirit to your Cape Cod living room? Wicker furniture.
Though this material dates back to the Victorian Era, it does have a beachy reputation which makes it ideal when you're considering coastal living room ideas. Plus, wicker woven is incredibly popular nowadays, making this living room décor idea equal parts traditional and trendy.
13. Add in contemporary accents
Photography/ Kylie Fitts
(Image credit: Havenly)
Just because Cape Cod homes date back to the 17th Century doesn’t mean they can’t look and feel contemporary.
Shelby Girard, vice president of creative and design at Havenly, struck a nice balance with streamlined sofas and sleek, modern accents.
It's the blue couch that forms the centerpiece of this scheme; a design classic that you can see more of in our blue couch living room ideas.
14. Use coastal blues
Photography/Michael J. Lee
(Image credit: Liz Caan)
Though Cape Cod homes can be found all across the United States of America, they’re most common along the sandy beaches of New England.
If you want your Cape Cod living room to pay homage to its beachy roots – without festooning the space in sailboat motifs and artificial seashells – stick with a coastal blue and white color palette.
Decorating with blue and white is about finding the balance between the two colors, and deciding which will be the hero shade in your scheme.
15. Keep it cozy
Photography/Tria Giovan
(Image credit: Amanda Lindroth)
Cape Cod-style homes aren’t all about looks; in the colonial era, they were designed to fend off harsh, winter weather.
If you’re looking to create an inviting, cozy retreat during a rough snowstorm, consider experimenting with different materials. With a tactile sofa, wooden accents, and a plush rug, this room is no match for a whirling blizzard.
For more cozy and chic rooms, this time with a rustic twist, our country living room ideas is a packed gallery of design inspiration.
16. Mix and match
Photography/Don Freeman
(Image credit: Kevin Isbell)
Cape Cod homes are known for their simplicity, making them the perfect blank canvas to display your design style.
If you don’t want to settle for a single look, take a cue from Kevin Isbell .
Here, the designer deftly mixes a wicker couch with a rustic table, living room paneling ideas, and rich, upholstered armchairs. In order to keep the room cohesive, Isbell sticks with a subdued palette.
17. Try a preppy palette
Photography/Allie Weinstein
(Image credit: Havenly)
From polo shirts to monogrammed-mania, New England is known for its preppy flair. So, why not bring that spirit into your Cape Cod living room?
This space blends preppy patterns, a playful navy and coral palette, and traditional forms for a fresh take on coastal design.
Living room paint ideas has more stylish ways with paint, and will answer your questions about the best paint designs for your living space.
18. Keep it neutral
Photography/Morgan Levy
(Image credit: Havenly)
As this Cape Cod living room proves, you can never go wrong with an all-neutral palette.
Versatile and easy to switch up with seasonal accessories should you choose, neutral living room ideas are the ultimate in no-fuss styling.
The undeniably classic scheme, timeless silhouettes, and cheery detailing makes for a relaxed, yet refined, living room that pays homage to life along the coast.
Cape Cod style dates back to New England in the 17th century, when Puritan settlers first arrived on US shores. They based the homes they built on those back in Britain, so Cape Cod homes tend to have a single story, with a steep roof, shingled exterior, symmetrical façade, and large chimney in the middle.
How do you style a Cape Cod house?
Cape Cod house interior style is informed by its New England setting, it's historical ancestry, and a nod to nautical colors and themes. The look tends to neutral schemes, with white, cream, taupe and shades of blue, from sky blue to navy, coming into the palette.
Furniture is simple and comfortable but elegant, with a mix of upholstery and wood.
Kelsey Mulvey is a New York-born, San Francisco-based freelance journalist who covers lifestyle and design content. She started her writing career while studying magazine journalism at Boston University, where her work was syndicated by top digital publications like USA Today and MSN. Upon graduation, Kelsey covered lifestyle content The Wall Street Journal, Off Duty and Business Insider. In 2017, Kelsey started her freelance journalism career, where she contributes to design publications like AD PRO, Elle Decor, Wallpaper*, and more. W
4 Interior Design Tips For Cape Homes
Posted by Bob and Ronna Chew on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 11:25 AM By Bob and Ronna Chew / February 8, 2022 Comment
Cape Cod-style homes are reminiscent of the 1700s when early settlers arrived along the New England coast. Inspired by the traditional English cottages already present in the region, the newcomers built similar homes with distinctive aesthetics that would become known as the Cape Cod style.
These homes feature steep roofs with gables, large dormer windows, and double-hung windows complemented by wood shutters.
Other standard features of a Cape Cod style home include wood-shingle siding or symmetrical clapboard, and they were typically one and a half stories, with open attic space for seafaring boarders. Read on to learn about design ideas for Cape Cod-style homes.
Choose Coastal Colors
To stay true to the Cape Cod home vibe, it's best to stick to a coastal color palette when decorating and designing. Coastal-style color schemes are traditionally light and airy, reminiscent of the ocean on a sunny day. While there is a wide range of hues that work well, be sure to plan ahead when choosing a scheme that will complement any furnishings or existing accessories that are must-keeps.
Think about going with white walls, ocean blues, or greens used on alternating spaces or in combination with trim accents. This presents a beach-like sense of calmness and clouds situated against a perfect day by the sea under bright blue skies.
Soothing neutral tones like beige and tan create an illusion of sandy beaches and mix well with bleached or gray driftwood hues. All of these contrast beautifully with soft hues of yellow and coral, especially when accented with vibrant and bright tropical tones like beach flower pink and sunset orange.
Popular Cape Cod patterns tend to lean towards thick stripes, nautical designs, and delicate florals for upholstery and fabrics. Rustic, quilted fabrics with embroidering can add a cozy feel, especially when using natural textures such as burlap, vintage linen, or grasscloth.
Employ the Use of Rustic Furnishings & Colors
Simplistic furniture is typically the best choice to showcase the interiors and outside living spaces in Cape Cod-style houses. Rustic, clean-lined handmade wood furniture with smooth edges ideally meld into a Cape Cod-style home. Painting wood furniture in brighter pastels, whitewash, or natural finishes give the home an inviting feel.
Popular choices include furnishings in the traditional Early American style, such as Windsor chairs, step-back cupboards, ladder-back chairs with rush seats, and trestle-style tables. Overstuffed upholstered loveseats, chairs, and sofa or wicker furniture with slip-covers can enhance the laid-back, casual coastal feel that makes a Cape Cod cottage stand out.
Aside from pastels, sage greens, sea glass, and butter yellow can add charm to the furnishings of a Cape Cod home and a comfortable vibe. Many prefer to base their furniture's colors on the exterior paint, trim, and shutters outside the home by employing complementary colors.
Decorate With Nautical Accessories
Decor dominated by a nautical or ocean theme is typical in Cape Cod-style homes. Still, it is necessary to balance themed decorations and other more simple types of accessories. Establish the core look desired first, considering traditional seaside adornments that may include:
- Seashells
- Driftwood
- Starfish
- Anchors
- Navigation Wheels
- Portholes
- Propellers
- Bells
The inclusion of natural displays alongside vintage or replica ship or boat parts creates interest and complements the home's interior architecture nicely.
To add interest and balance the theme in a Cape Cod-style home, go back to some standard basics that still represent the concept throughout the home.
Sheer window coverings will allow natural light in, which will allow for live houseplants and greenery to thrive, bringing the outdoors in. Woven baskets can hold plant containers, and colored glass vases or bottles can add sparkle to any room.
Add interest to walls with artwork and shelves that display old books or knickknacks. Spruce up window seat nooks, sofas, and chairs with various pillows and throws in varying materials and patterns. It's common to see traditional lantern-style lighting in copper or brass that ranges from wall scones, hanging lanterns, and outdoor oil-fueled lampposts.
Get the Exterior Details Right
There are specific exterior details that are essential to achieve the look and feel of an authentic Cape Cod-style house. Roofing is traditionally crafted of natural shingles along the steep slopes while being complemented with numerous high and narrow dormer windows present predominantly along the front of the home.
Shutters are traditionally a primary feature of most Cape Cod-style cottages, and these additions still offer homes a timeless look to this day. Choosing ones that can be opened and closed is ideal for seaside homes or those within seasonal climates and are perfect for allowing fresh air into the structure on moderate days.
Even the landscaping selections in the yard and window boxes should be true to the style, with wildflowers being abundant with an array of colors that will rejuvenate seasonally. Beautiful gardens historically dominated the yard of Cape Cod-style homes instead of a sizeable grass-filled lawn. In many climates, an abundance of flowers and blooming plants will bring about butterflies and pollinating creatures throughout the year.
Use These Design Tips For An Authentic Cape Cod Style Home
Why not fully embrace the breezy and airy feeling of a Cape Cod-style home with decorations and furnishings that genuinely encompass the oceanside lifestyle? These design tips for colors, patterns, furnishing, and accents inside and out make it practical and straightforward to achieve an authentic feeling of Cape Cod.
Cape Cod House HiSoUR – Hi So You Are
The Cape Cod House is a low, one-story frame building with a moderately steep pitched roof, a large central chimney, and very little ornamentation. Originating in New England in the 17th century, the simple symmetrical design was built from local materials to withstand Cape Cod's rough, rough weather. It has a central front door surrounded by layered windows. The space above the 1st floor was often left unfinished, with or without windows at the ends. nine0003
The style enjoyed a boom in popularity and adaptation to modern needs in the 1930s and 1950s, especially with Colonial Revival jewelry. It remains a feature of New England housing development.
history
The Cape Cod style originated from the colonists who came from England to New England. They adapted the English Hall and Salon House using local materials to better protect against New England's infamous stormy weather. Over the next few generations, a house of 1 to 1 1/2 floors appeared with wooden shutters and cladding or shingles.
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Rev. Timothy Dwight IV (1752-1817), President of Yale University from 1795 to 1817, coined the term "Cape Cod House" after visiting the Cape in 1800. His observations were published posthumously in Travels in New England and New York (1821-22). The style was popularized more widely in the slightly more elaborate Colonial Revival variant popularized in the 1930s and 50s, although the traditional noronised scum remained common in New England.
Climatic influences
Using local materials—cedar for roof tiles and pine for cladding and flooring—settlers built homes adapted to New England's extreme winter climate. Temperatures in January and February can drop to -20F, with piles of snow often reaching several feet. To combat the cold, they built massive central chimneys and low-ceilinged rooms to conserve heat. The steep roof, common to New England homes, minimized snow load. Finally, the colonists installed shutters on the windows to keep out the strong winds. nine0003
Colonial and federal cloaks (17th-early 19th century)
Colonial-era cloaks were most common in the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada.
They were made of wood and covered with wide rolls or tiles, often unpainted, which weathered over time. Most of the houses were small, usually 1000-2000 square feet in size. Often windows of various sizes were worked at the ends of the pediment, with windows of nine and six panels being the most common. nine0003
The style has a symmetrical look with a front door in the center of the house and a large central chimney that can often accommodate back-to-back fireplaces. The master bedroom was on the first floor, with an often unfinished loft on the second floor. The typical early house had neither skylights nor an exterior.
Framing and layout
The vast majority of early capes were timber-framed, with three compartments formed by four curves. A few late examples of early baits used a stud edging as well as a bar. nine0003
The first Cape Cod houses are divided into four categories: quarter, half, three quarters and full cape. A relatively rare cape is a single bay, usually a wider "outside" bay that will become rooms.
It has one door and one window at the front, but has full depth. Half of the cape is two bays with a door to one side of the house and two windows on one side of the door; a three-unit promontory has a door with two windows on one side and one window on the other, while a full promontory consists of an entrance door in the center of the house, flanked on both sides by two windows. Otherwise, the three categories of early Cape Cod houses were nearly identical in layout. Inside the front door, a central staircase led up to a small upper level, which consisted of two children's bedrooms. The lower floor consisted of a hall for daily living (including cooking, dining and gathering) and a living room or bedroom. nine0003
Some use a different naming system and refer to the full size version as a "double cloak", but this is more commonly used for the extended duplex structure.
"High post", also known as "knee", capes were originally an uncommon option, but became more similar in the 19th century and became a hallmark of vernacular architecture in the Midwest.
The poles run vertically past the first floor, increasing usable space on the second floor and simplifying carpentry work at the expense of structural rigidity. The knee was often fried with small low windows. nine0003
Adaptations
Over the years, the owners have doubled the entire cape and added fenders to the rear or sides, usually one story. Skylights have been added to increase space, lighting and ventilation. A temporary porch was sometimes added to one side of the house, rarely to the front.
Colonial Revival (1930s-1950s)
Cape Cod Colonial Revival homes are very similar to Colonial Cape Cod homes, but some have a chimney at one end of the living room on the side of the house. Designed replicas were designed for the wealthy, while architects such as Royal Barry Wills modernized the promontory for middle-class families to include modern amenities that dealt with demands for greater privacy and technology, including bathrooms, kitchens and garages. Adaptations spread throughout the post-World War II suburbs, and planned communities such as Levittown, New York offered Cape Cod-style housing, especially for returning soldiers.
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Today
1 1/2-story cloaks remain a popular and affordable style in the housing market.
Massachusetts Photo Collector's Bright Home
- Photo
- Sean Lithfield
The owner of this Provincetown home, entrepreneur and photo collector, has been looking for a new home for several years. Proximity to the city center and beaches was important for him, as well as the opportunity to receive guests and have barbecues in the yard. In the end, he found a suitable option in a quiet area overlooking the pasture, but there was one big "but": the house is mid-19The 90s desperately needed repairs. For help, the owner turned to the studio Evolve Residential.
- photo
- Sin Litfield
- photo
- Sin Litfield
The designers took the traditional cape code style as a basis and tried to give it a new sound. Characteristic elements of the farmhouse - exposed wooden beams and painted boards - are harmoniously combined with modern design solutions and bold shades. The color palette of the interior, which consists mainly of white, red and blue tones, is reminiscent of the proximity to the coast. nine0003 - Photo
- Sean Lithfield
- Photo
- Sean Lithfield
- Photo
- Sean Lithfield
