English cottage living room
How to Embrace English Cottage Style at Home
Bring that whimsical countryside feeling home with these expert-approved tips.
By
Kaitlyn McInnis
Kaitlyn McInnis
Kaitlyn McInnis is a lifestyle expert and writer specializing in global interior design trends and styles which she is able to experience first-hand through her extensive travels. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Homes & Gardens, and Real Homes. Kaitlyn also worked for AskMen.com, where she managed an international team of writers and experts.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/12/21
@badiuth
The wistful English cottage decor style is instantly calming and welcoming—whether it’s the sense of coziness or the whimsical feeling of the space, there’s just something about the countryside aesthetic that makes you want to curl up with a good book and unwind.
Thankfully for us city dwellers, the English cottage aesthetic is not reserved for country roads or curated Instagram feeds. In fact, embracing the English cottage style at home is much easier than you might think.
Read on to get expert advice on how to bring a slice of the cozy countryside aesthetic into your space.
Meet the Expert
- Liberty Riggs-Nichols is the Founder and Lead Designer at Studio Riggs in Flower Mound, Texas.
- Richard Petrie is the Lead Interior Expert at Thomas Sanderson in The United Kingdom.
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01 of 10
Remember Not to Make Everything Too Perfect
@cherrymenlove
“English homes have history and are usually pieced together with items that are found and inherited,” says Liberty Riggs-Nichols, Founder and Lead Designer at Studio Riggs.
This is great news if you’ve been storing old furnishings or decor from family members—but can be just as easily emulated with a trip to your local thrift store or antique shop. -
02 of 10
Comfort Is King
@cobblestones_and_wells
Comfortable furniture is going to be your best bet—not just in terms of English cottage aesthetics but also for the overall homey feel that the English countryside is known for. “Although you won't see a La-Z-Boy in the classic English cottage, you will see pieces that are comfortable and casual,” says Riggs-Nichols. “Whether that's a slipcovered sofa or a cozy rolled-arm accent chair.”
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03 of 10
Embrace a Little Quirkiness
@layeredathome
“In America we tend to take ourselves a little more seriously than our self-deprecating cousins across the pond,” says Riggs-Nichols. “I think one of the reasons English design is having such a moment right now is that it's not afraid to be a little playful and weird.
” Embracing a little quirkiness can be challenging if you’re not used to letting go and allowing for a little weirdness to come out in your decor but will become easier as you lean into themes or interests you’re naturally drawn to. -
04 of 10
Don’t Overlook Plants and Flowers
@het_franse_huis
Whilst many people think the inside is more important, there are lots of things you can do to the front of your house to give it an English cottage feel. Smaller changes include incorporating a stone path in your garden alongside plenty of rich green plants.
Cottage Gardens - Chaos With a Plan
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05 of 10
Warm to Patterns and Colors
@cherrymenlove
The English cottage aesthetic leans heavily on playful patterns and bright colors—especially in terms of wall treatments and textiles, shares Richard Petrie, Interior Expert at Thomas Sanderson. Rather than overhauling your space with a whole catalogue of different patterns right away, consider starting with a statement wall or investing in slip covers and going from there.
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06 of 10
Consider Adding Mirrors—Strategically
@candlewoodcottage
Traditional English cottages are often light and airy. Whether you're working with large windows or you're dealing with a tighter space, consider placing a mirror opposite your windows to give the impression of more light in the room, and don't forget to experiment with placement to get the best view!
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07 of 10
Embrace Whimsical DIY Projects
@candlewoodcottage
Smaller DIY projects can be an eco-friendly way to add some flair to your space without spending too much on new items—and are also a great way to foster a sense of English cottage at home. Simple things such as replacing the handles on your wardrobes and doors for old fashioned vintage styles ones and creating wicker baskets for storage will also add to the authentic cottage feel.
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08 of 10
Create Your Own Art Gallery
@layeredathome
Another way to foster a sense of English cottage serenity at home is by curating your own selection of fine art and prints.
Consider picking up second hand-done oil paintings (you can usually find them for cheap at second hand shops!) or investing in high quality prints or reproductions of your favorite works of art. -
09 of 10
Foster a Love of Literature
@cherrymenlove
Traditional English cottages are packed with bookcases, shelves, and stacks of books waiting to be explored. If you want to foster the same sense of coziness in your space, consider adding a casual reading nook in a spare corner of your bedroom or incorporating a small bookcase into your sitting area or living room.
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10 of 10
A Cozy Kitchen Is Key
@stephatthecottage
Bright and modern kitchens have become the norm in North America but a cozy cooking space is much more inviting—and is key to achieving a traditional English cottage look. Mismatched wooden furniture, open shelving with colorful enamelware, deep Belfast sinks, and hanging pots and pans are all staples that make the English cottage kitchen so cozy and welcoming.
10 Ways to Add English Cottage Charm to Your Home
With a cult following of its own, the English Cottage Style has long transcended its geographic boundaries, becoming a favorite style of decorating for legions of design lovers worldwide. Yours truly included. Smaller in size and cozier that any other style of house, cottages can live large in the way we decorate them. Smart planning and making the best out of limited space are key. If you count yourself among the many fans of the English Cottage Style and would love to create a similar look in your home, below are ten design elements that I believe can help you do just that.
Jane Ormsby-GoreEMBRACE COLOR AND PATTERN
While cottages may vary in size and style, traditional English Cottages display color and pattern in abundance. Reds, pinks, yellows, blues and greens, florals, checks and paisleys are part of the decorating vocabulary and are often mixed and matched to charming results… Culture and climate have a great affect on the use of color palettes in decorating and having cheerful, brightly hued interiors is no doubt a good antidote to England’s notoriously gray skies.
However, even if you reside someplace where rainy days and cloudy skies are less frequent, or you simply prefer lighter color schemes, you can still achieve an English Cottage look by keeping an overall neutral base and adding color and pattern through accessories (art, pillows, blankets, window treatments, flowers). Experimenting with different schemes can be very satisfying and can lead to great results if done right.
Christina StruttCOMFORTABLE SEATING
When we think about an English Cottage, most of us have visions of a roaring fire, deep, soft cushions and ample sofas for lounging, reading and relaxing. Therefore, an important thing to keep in mind when decorating with an English Cottage bend is to have plenty of comfortable seating available – chairs, sofas, ottomans.
English Home MagazineRita KonigSLIPCOVERS
Apart from being an English Cottage classic, slipcovers prolong the life of upholstery and are great for switching up the look of your home or for decorating seasonally.
Cool, crisp cotton slipcovers feel fresh during the warmer months, while soft woven ones work great year round and are even better during the cold season.
ART
You’d be pressed to find an English Cottage that does not have art displayed copiously throughout. Regardless of a piece’s intrinsic value, what matters most in the English Cottage Style home is the mood and connection you have with the subject matter, so don’t worry if you don’t have a limitless budget to spring on Old Masters… English cottages are notorious for mixing high with low when it comes to art and displaying it either salon style or in grids. Oil portraits and Victorian silhouettes, landscapes, etchings, old maps, botanical and animal subjects… anything goes.
Architecture – James F. Carter; Interior design Brockschmidt & Coleman Robert KimeBOOKS
There is no easier or better way to add layers of English Cottage Stye to your existing décor than by piling up some of your favorite books conspicuously where you can see and page through them as often as you wish.
LOG BASKETS
If you are blessed with a functional fireplace, think about bringing in some beautifully worn pieces of firewood. Something about the warmth of natural elements, of wood and wicker combined, make log baskets instant “cozifiers”.
Rita KonigWALLPAPER
For many a thing of the past, wallpaper is in fact a great way to add instant charm to a room. The right pattern in the right scale and color scheme can visually open up a space making smaller rooms feel more expansive. While good papers are somewhat of a financial commitment, when used in the right dosage (small hallways, powder rooms, bedrooms), they can be a dramatic element in your English Cottage bag of tricks. Just something to keep in mind…
Rita KonigRoger Banks-PyeVerandaANTIQUES AND BROWN FURNITURE
Incorporating family heirlooms, old furniture and antiques is essential to bringing character and warmth into your home.
Pieces with patina create a sense of history that no big box store purchase can replicate.
AN UNCOORDINATED LOOK
One of the great things about decorating in the English cottage style is that rooms never look finished or “decorated” bur rather like they’ve evolved over time, along with their occupants. While the overall effect is still harmonious and extremely pleasant (hence the style’s appeal), nothing feels contrived or artificial. The different elements – textiles, furniture, paint colors, art and other accessories – go well together without being color-matched and coordinated to perfection. And sometimes, just like the pinch of salt that makes the sweet be even sweeter, there’s even room for something “ugly”…
Amanda Brooks PinterestA WELCOMING MOOD
In the end, decorating is all about telling a story, the story of who we are, of who we’d like to be, and mood is essential in getting our personal narratives across.
In the English Cottage Style home the story we are telling is one of nostalgia and appreciation for the past, for the “simple things” in life, for color and art, for entertaining family and friends. Cottage living is all about creating cheerful and welcoming spaces where we can be happy, comfortable and authentic.
There are so many other elements that I’ve left out, elements that are unique to each and every one of us and how we home, so by no means is this an exhaustive list but rather a starting point in a decorating journey that will bring comfort and good times to many. Happy English Cottage decorating!
To see more of the beautiful homes featured in today’s post, make sure to check out the following Café Design stories:
Rita Konig’s North Farm
The Cape Cod Style Cottage – America’s Fairytale Home
Revisiting Bee Cottage
English Charm in California
50 design photos, choice of sofa and curtains
A solid and conservative style, also called Victorian, is the embodiment of respectability, restraint and good taste.
Certain features of such an environment are similar to classical ones, which is why it is confused with traditional classicism. But this interior is more pragmatic and less decorated. Instead of French charm, there is elegant monumentality here. An English-style living room demonstrates not only wealth and status, but also a refined taste for good things.
Characteristic features of the English style
Most often, the English living room is recognizable due to the abundance of wood - in wall panels, in furniture and even in ceiling decoration.
But the interior is not always like this, although a number of obligatory features can be distinguished literally in all interiors:
- Wood products are massive and expensive.
- The central chandelier usually has several light bulbs, "dressed" in textile lampshades.
- Forged parts are widely used.
- Multi-level ceilings here are often finished with wood or at least wooden slats.
- An English-style living room interior often includes a fireplace.
- The walls are covered with fabric or wallpaper that resembles textiles in texture.
- Monumental solutions involve the use of natural stone - in the flooring, in the arrangement of columns, in the lining of the fireplace.
- Decor includes carving, library, classical ornaments or stripes.
The design of the living room in the English style is made in warm natural colors - in a palette of natural wood, in a noble neutral beige, in ivory colors. By the way, this can also be in decor and decoration. The Victorian style was formed using household items that were brought from numerous British colonies. And ivory has always been highly valued, so it fits perfectly into the luxurious interior of aristocratic houses.
The color palette of the English living room
The interior design of the living room in the English style is formed, as already mentioned, on the basis of a warm natural palette.
There will be harmonious brown, beige, golden hues. They are organically complemented by burgundy, terracotta, malachite and emerald notes.
Of course, an apartment decorated in the English style cannot be too dark, so light colors are chosen for more modest rooms. Although the apartments can be quite spacious for a choice of intense shades - expensive wood, genuine leather, forged metal.
Bordeaux, ocher, emerald - colors for accents. Among the majority of design ideas in this direction, these shades appear in furniture upholstery ornaments, wallpaper, and textiles.
Repair in English
When planning the renovation of a room in this design, you should be prepared for significant costs. But these are not flashy expensive solutions, but exceptionally high-quality, solid materials. Wood is the most sought-after material in this style of England, it welcomes the use of expensive hardwoods with a beautiful natural texture.
You can't save here by choosing an artificial alternative to natural materials.
But this does not mean the rejection of modern technological coatings.
- For living room walls choose paint, wallpaper or wood paneling . With the latter, the first two options are often combined. If you choose wallpaper, you should pay attention to a large classic pattern, stripes, small flowers. A similar pattern can also be used in textile wall decoration. True, this option cannot be called practical, so today the fabric is often replaced with wallpaper similar in texture. Wooden panels usually cover the lower half of the wall. In the spacious living rooms, you can choose from a full wood finish.
- The ceiling in such a room is ordinary - painted light or whitewashed, often decorated with unobtrusive stucco, but to a lesser extent than in classicism . But this surface is also sometimes finished with wood or simply reinforced with beams. Although in the modern interior of the living room, a stylized stretch or suspended ceiling would be more appropriate.
It is decorated with borders, stucco, moldings.
- English style floor usually covered with parquet . Other wood substitutes can be used - board or laminate. But more and more often, instead of such materials, self-leveling coatings are chosen that imitate the texture of wood or stone.
- English style windows can only be wooden . Of course, modern manufacturers offer a compromise - plastic frames, painted brown and imitating the texture of a natural array. Doors are chosen in the same way - they should be made of natural wood, and not of laminated materials.
- An English-style living room with a fireplace will look a little different: the hearth is lined with refractory materials, so wood is not applicable here . Among the organic solutions for such decoration are natural stone and tiles. A number of decorative elements are selected for the fireplace and its decoration.
If a Victorian style living room also includes a work area, an enfilade would be a suitable option for planning, and an arched opening trimmed with wood would be suitable as a zoning.
The kitchen is decorated in a classic way: it is a slender wooden set with glass facades with slatted finish. The furniture is decorated with carved skirting boards, moldings and imitation columns.
Choosing furniture in the English style
Furniture in a Victorian interior should be solid and of high quality, as well as materials and designs in decoration. The design of the items is conservative, and this is obvious. Among the products used:
- dressers;
- carved cabinets;
- large dining tables;
- classic chairs with high backs;
- massive soft sets;
- loungers.
A distinctive feature is the widespread use of wood. The most popular varieties are oak, rosewood, walnut. Genuine leather or expensive types of fabric with or without a suitable pattern can be used as upholstery.
But English-style living room sofas are usually recognizable as they are the famous Cheursterfield model with its characteristic shape and quilted leather upholstery.
A dark sofa will become an accent in the interior, even if there are already a lot of saturated surfaces here.
Almost every room in this design has a library, although in a large house it can be located in a separate room. At the same time, it is convenient to make the room part of the living room, separating it, for example, with sliding doors, which, if necessary, will provide privacy and comfort.
Another must-have item is the fireplace armchair, just like the fireplace itself. This is a high chair upholstered in velvet or leather. Its highlight are the armrests in the form of two rollers. The classic look of this model symbolizes wealth and good taste.
Decorating the living room: curtains and accessories
Living room in the style of 19th century England is decorated to a certain extent in a classic way - vases, columns, paintings, poufs, books, lamps and traditional decor elements are also appropriate here. Floor lamps made in steampunk design look original in such an interior.
Their conservative look fits in best with the Victorian setting.
Classic window decoration should also be chosen - draperies, multilayer curtains in the living room will be decorated with lambrequins, cords, ties. The color of the curtains should be harmonious with the main palette. Most often these are saturated tones of brown. If the room is decorated exclusively in light colors, thick curtains made of heavy materials will do.
Do not forget about original accessories - in the 19th century they were souvenirs from the colonies of Britain. Similar products will be appropriate in the interior and now.
What to avoid in English style
The character of the style is so conservative that all modern details will seem superfluous here. Therefore, in such an interior, excessively bright neon shades, synthetic and plastic surfaces, and chrome-plated metal are abandoned.
Living room in the English style: 50 photos of interesting interiors
Do you want to recreate a noble style with all the nuances? A selection of pictures will help you, where you can see the English design in detail.
