Country decorating ideas for creating homey spaces
These country decor ideas are rich in rustic comfort
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Country-style decorating is a look that will never fade. Plus popular micro-trends such as Cottagecore, Farmhouse and Comfortcore, are the perfect blend of modern and rustic that is clean yet homely. Brands, never fail to inspire with both traditional and modern country wares. And, what's more, you don't have to live on a farm or even in the country to get the farm-fresh look in your home. From pared-back colour palettes to rustic art displays take a look at these fabulous country decorating ideas you will never put out to pasture...
Work in woodland charm
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Start a woodland story in your country bedroom to create layers of cosy and whimsical charisma inspired by nature. Start with a calm wood-panelled backdrop and bring in furniture that offers plenty of texture. Then, dress the bed with a soft textured pleat duvet printed with pretty leaves.
Recreate a rustic bathroom
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Give the bathroom a simple yet refined rustic look with features that are sympathetic to days gone by. Work around a country hero like a classic roll-top bath painted a pretty colour. Then, go back to basics with weathered textures such as this plank bath board and farmhand-style stool.
Install a butler sink
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A traditional style butler sink creates many rural-style rewards to a kitchen. The traditional design is a surefire kitchen trend that won't go out of style and makes a charming focal point. Also, the large bowl is robust and practical allowing plenty of space to tidy up after a farmhouse breakfast.
Lay natural flooring
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Touchable textures made from natural fibres make a house country warm and cosy so a practical rug or carpet in sisal or sea-grass is stylish, rustic and long-lasting. Team with warm wood or stone floors, to soften classic hard-surfaces.
Set up seasonal displays
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Decorating surfaces with rustic and seasonal displays is an attention-to-detail trick that makes a country-style home that little bit more authentic. From simple wreaths hung on shaker-style peg rails to inviting autumnal hallway side table splendours dotted with fairy lights and LED candles, it's a fun way to add character with endless possibilities.
Choose pre-loved furniture
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Reclaimed furniture that doesn't come from the same place is a country decorating custom that is budget friendly too. Weathered dining chairs and an antique pine table fill this rustic and romantic conservatory cum dining room with character. That being said they may not be as comfortable as upholstered versions. That is easily rectified with soft-furnishings that suit the garden room scheme.
Opt for warm lighting
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As the night draws in, the right lighting will bring a country-style home to ambient life. Again, texture will gain you top country-style credits so choose, wooden lamp bases, rattan light-shades or wall lights with an industrial vibe to add a farmhouse twist.
Bring the outside in
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Whether it's natural materials, earthy colour palettes, or forest prints, taking a leaf out of Mother Nature's book will ensure your country-style scheme is on track. From the use of wooden furniture to the pretty daisies on the fabric, the layers of out-of-door settings in this sitting room ensure it is forever spring.
Make a dresser your own
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A large dresser is a country-style staple that will always look the part. You needn't spend fortunes investing in a brand new one as the pre-loved look simply adds rustic character. Paint the cabinet wood a new colour and paper the interior shelves with pretty wallpaper. And vol! You've created a treasured air loom to last generations too.
Invent cosy corners
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Original farmhouses and rural homes were often made up of tiny rooms and interesting spaces. Inventing new nooks will offer that air of rural intrigue and intimacy in newer houses too. Why not build a beautiful reading nook in a bay window or build a banquette bench in an alcove to create the breakfast nook of your dreams?
Build cubby-hole storage
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Talking of small spaces, opting for boxy cubby hole storage will suggest cosy cottage vibes too. The small spaces will increase the sense of boot room style, while woven baskets, stored logs and outdoor shoes will add to the rustic outdoorsy character.
Display country inspired china
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An upcycled country dresser isn't complete with a display of treasured china to create a country-style display that's useful too. Pick out an accent colour from the rest of the room for a coordinated look or opt for an assortment of favourites that tell a story for a more eclectic and maximalist twist.
Pretty up the windows
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Keep drafts at bay from windows with sheltering curtains. Full-length is a romantic choice and the quintessence of country living. Choose trailing small-scale florals to capture the beauty of nature, and hang from simple wooden poles.
Select vintage-look tiles
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Tile walls and floors in the bathroom with vintage-look designs to construct an authentic yet practical space. A patterned floor will lay a pretty foundation for both old and new furniture, like this contemporary bath that is offset with a green reclaimed bathroom vanity. Settle on subtle yet shiny wall tiles to balance the colour and pattern.
Huddle around an island
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Slotting a classic counter island into a kitchen will champion country style. Not only will it offer an extra surface area for preparing all of that homespun cooking, but it can also provide a base for a gathering if you don't have the space for that big wooden table. A stand-alone, chunky design with open storage will fit the farmhouse bill perfectly.
Stick with stripes
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Ticking stripes is a classic fabric design that will never go out of fashion. The densely woven fabric has been in production for centuries and so is a perfectly practical and timeless option for sofas in country style living-rooms. These days manufacturers make it in all sorts of colours so there's no need to stick to classic shades if you fancy a modern twist.
Swap kitchen cabinetry for shelves
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Not only does swapping up cabinetry for open shelves in the kitchen create a larger sense of space, but it also forms a whole new way of simple domestic living for the heart of the home. Dried foods and cooking utensils will be visible and instantly available. The display of kitchenware can also add warmth to a muted farmhouse palette.
Decant the utility room
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If you are lucky enough to own a separate utility room, follow the same method as the open shelves in the kitchen. It's a pracitical space but there is no reason it can't be country charming too. Empty the contents from ugly packaging into glass jars, pop cleaning utensils in metal trugs, and roll classic linens in wire baskets for a coordinated yet practical display.
Top up the texture
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Stripping back walls to show off their original state is a popular trend and is the ideal converted-barn look backdrop. If chipping off plaster seems daunting the effect can be easily created using brick-effect tiles or even faux wallpaper. Get the right organic balance by exposing just one wall as a feature.
Set up a secret garden scene
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Delicate floral motifs will breathe fresh and feminine air into a country scheme. Be prepared to see the secret garden story pop up as we head into the warmer months. To recreate this picturesque bedroom look, team classic 'ditsy floral' wallpaper prints and shiplap cladding painted a pretty hue. Finish with floral print bedding edged with girlish frills.
Choose chunky wood
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A chunky wooden dining table will provide plenty of room for everyone and last many years. Remember the mix-and-match mantra and team with alternative seating. These black dining chairs inject a shaker look into the mix.
Include meadow motifs
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Tap into the 'no mow' movement by transforming your living room into an indoor meadow of calm. Choose a neutral decorating scheme and bring in pretty motifs of grassy leaves and wildflowers. Enhance the well-being retreat approach by adding elements of 'comfortcore' with inviting textures such as velvet and wool.
Throw a bedspread on the bed
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Nothing says nostalgic country more than dressing your bed with a beautiful and cosy bedspread. A quilted cover may cost a little more than a conventional duvet but the decorative asset will make a wise investment as it will be practical for warmth and long-lasting too. There's a reason adding a coverlet to your bedding list is a thrifty homemaking secret we learned from grandma.
Enjoy a cosy open fire
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An open-fire or woodburning stove warms the whole house and is an iconic country home feature. Not only do fireplaces make beautiful focal points, but they can also be a cost-effective way to heat a home. However, be sure to know what are the right materials to burn as some fuels can be illegal. If in doubt, research and install a life-like bioethanol, gas or electric alternative.
Stay true to country blue
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From soft cornflower and sky shades to inky indigo hues, the colour blue never goes out of style in country homes. Team with classic patterns such as toile and check. We love this take on a modern country dining room with a striking blue feature wall and smart tablecloth.
Curate a kitchen garden
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Go back to basics by decorating your kitchen with fresh produce. Homegrown herbs, vegetables and fruits are part and parcel of the rural self-sufficient lifestyle. If becoming eco-warriors like Barbara and Tom from the 'Good Life' seems too extreme. Start with fresh herbs in terracotta pots on the kitchen window sill.
Choose sofas on legs
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Classic sofas set on turned wooden legs offer an elegant element to country-style living rooms that's stylish and refined. Plus with more floor space visible the room with feel bigger and more spacious.
Love the country look? Find your niche with a micro-trend instead: Fabulous farmhouse decorating ideas for every room.
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