About English Cottage Interior Design

The atmosphere of an English cottage is relaxed and informal with an emphasis placed on comfort and functionality. Old and repurposed furniture is commonly used, and it is often covered in old cloth or shawls that reach the floor. A variety of antique pieces can be found throughout the English cottage.

Furniture

The furniture found in English cottages is modest with the comfort of the piece far more important than the look. Easy chairs with thick, overstuffed cushions are common and may be covered with velvet or leather. Additional furniture may include a small sofa or loveseat, as well as wooden benches or chairs placed in the room for additional seating. Other pieces of furniture are functional, including chests for storage space or a hutch to display small treasures. Small end tables are placed in the room with wooden or ceramic table lamps on top.

Colors and Patterns

The colors commonly seen in an English cottage are rustic colors such as brown, yellow, orange, rust and green. The pale pinks and reds seen in old English gardens are also used to decorate an English cottage. A mixture of fabrics are used to decorate the cottage. Floral patterns are often seen on drapes, cushions and tablecloths. Coffee tables and chairs are often draped in cloth to add a touch of color.

Decorations

A variety of different finishes are seen in the English cottage, such as wood, stone and metal. Stone fireplaces are very common. Wooden bowls and antique metal watering cans filled with flowers are commonly set on top of tables for decoration. English cottages are often full of knick knacks and antique items, including tea sets.

Kitchen

The kitchens of English cottages tend to be small. Small wooden tables that don't take up too much space are common as are shelves with antique odds and ends, dried flowers and baskets. Lace curtains are often used for the small kitchen windows.