cottage living rooms inspiration
As a country cottage dweller myself, I am always squirrelling away decor ideas for when I need them. My living room is looking a bit tired so I’ve been researching cottage living rooms. As always, I thought I would share my findings with you too. Hope you find something you love!
cottage living rooms
Bohemian dark and deep blues
This beautiful deep blue cottage living room feels bohemian, creative and very English. It’s Inkwell Cottage in Oxfordshire (available to book here through Unique Home Stays) I can imagine Virginia Woolf writing at this desk can’t you?
Stiffkey Blue paint by Farrow & Ball would work well to create a similar feel and is a touch darker.
You could also consider going even darker – Railings is a soft black with blue undertones and is magical contrasted with natural wood, white and greenery. I love the confident use of the colour here – walls, fireplace, built in cupboard and alcove shelves all painted in the same dramatic colour.
If that’s too dark for your sensibilities, a mid blue can work really well in country cottage living rooms too. How pretty are these blue painted shutters at Pixie Nook Cottage on Bodmin Moor?
Light and airy
What I love about this hallway/living room idea from Kingfisher Farm in Dorset is how light and airy it is. Pale stone flooring blends beautifully with natural wood floor boards and leads the eye towards the bifold doors that frame the beautiful country view.
Ancient and Modern
What I love about this cottage living room is how ancient stone details are contrasted with super contemporary clean lines.
It’s a picture postcard pretty thatched cottage – The Redes in Cornwall.
I love the simple styling of this bookshelf alcove too. Vintage books and old stone statue mix beautifully with industrial brass wall light, simple whitewash on the walls and jar of wild/garden flowers. Perfection.
Dreamy whites & vintage finds
I have obsessed over this property for some time now. It’s Romany in Romney Marsh, Kent and I just love it.
Simple white tongue and groove panelling creates the perfect simple backdrop and love the use of vintage linen to make casual slip covers. Soft grey/silver woodburner with visible chimney creates a cosy focal point. Add a jar of wildflowers from the hedgerow or garden and you’re good to go.
This combination is right up my street! I adore distressed old mirrors, blowsy garden roses in vintage vessels (this is an old silver teapot) and old floral paintings and vintage books. The chair is a great find and I like how it’s been left in a slightly distressed state. Love the contrast with timeless and iconic anglepoise desk lamp – in white of course.
There are a couple of really great creative upcycling ideas here: vintage mirrors repurpsed as table tops – you can easily pick up small wooden side tables at car boot sales or junk shops and the same goes for vintage mirrors. Love the idea of combining the two like this to create something new.
Use up leftover paint to give the table a new lease of life and remove any remaining fixings from the back of the mirror and voila! The other idea I love is to give an old trunk a fresh new look with a coat of white paint. Such a nice way to create a coffee or side table.
How charming is this view through from the cottage living room out through the garden room conservatory to the pretty garden? Ideas I’ve taken from this are: simple linen rolled-up blinds held up by hooks for window doors, old metal day bed laden with mis-matched cushions and the beauty of un-polished weathered wooden floorboards.
Bifolds and old oak
This is Wishbone cottage in the Malvern Hills and I just love the contrast of uneven ancient oak beams with sleek modern bifold doors. When the outside is a beautiful as this, why wouldn’t you bring it in as much as possible? My kind of design!
Slate and wood
I have a deep love for Wales and the natural materials of the landscape. Love how this dark and textural Ebony Wood cottage in Conwy combines timeless wool, slate, wood and stone in a thoroughly modern way.
My takeaway idea: don’t forget the important little details that can make all the difference. Like this dark wood display alcove – a little touch of visual magic.
Celestial pastels
How gorgeous is this chic seaside cottage living room? It’s Aphrodite in Cornwall and has the dreamiest of sea views. The restful, gentle colours and cosy textures just add to the light, dreamy feel don’t you think?
I’ve included this cottage living room idea because I love the combination of rustic wood panelling and hanging green plants with industrial lighting. It’s warm, textural and feels contemporary/vintage. It’s Little Portion in Cornwall and bookable through Unique Home Stays.
Go green
It’s the mix of midcentury modern lines with fresh spring grass green that I love about this cottage living room at Lost Cottage in County Kerry. Restful and so appropriate for the emerald isle…
This super cosy living room in The Fable in Perranporth, Cornwall is so understated and cosy in a quiet way. Love the vintage distressed shutters used as decorative back drop and how restrained the colour palette is – milky white, soft grey, natural browns. White washed rustic walls add so much character.
The power of a window seat
With a view this magnificent, why wouldn’t you want to sit at the window and drink it all in? Love how pale neutral linens create soft texture without dominating the view they frame. It’s The Brandy Thief in Ilfracombe, Devon.
Panelled wall magic
How clever is this idea? It’s a panelled wall that hides a TV behind. The perfect way to enjoy a big screen without losing the country cottage feel. It’s from Gwendolyn cottage in Cornwall.
Historic neutrals
It’s the contrast of old and historic with pale and contemporary that makes this cottage living room design really work for me. It’s Fawn Wood in Hartfield East Sussex.
Reclaimed & rustic
I’d like to move in please… This heavenly property is Ammonite in Rye, East Sussex
Love everything about this cosy white cottage living room: the vintage linen sheets used as sofa throws, simple white tongue and groove walls, old leather arm chair, grain sack linen cushions and scrubbed rustic pine floor boards.
I hope you have found some inspiration for your home inspired by country cottage living rooms. Do share your images with me – I’d love to see what you create!
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I absolutely love the idea of repurposing the mirrors for table tops. I’ve never thought of using them in this way. It’s charmingly country with a ray of elegance as well. Thank you for this wonderful idea! I’m excited to explore new options.