• Use white and one pastel color to invoke the magic of a day at the beach (or lake, or mountains!). Light and bright color schemes, usually paired with white, are a hallmark of cottage style.

  • Soften your rooms with fabric. Faded floral prints, checks, toiles and stripes paired with solid-color fabrics work well — and can be thrown into the wash for a quick cleanup. Use fabric to create window treatments and table toppers.

  • Transform yard-sale shutters into a rustic headboard or a unique cottage-style table (simply top two shutters with glass!).

  • Everything old is new again! Use paint treatments on furniture and cabinets to exude charm. Crackle finishes or antique washes are favorites of the cottage-style decorator.

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  • Pretty plates, pitchers and cups can be found at yard sales and thrift shops and repurposed into charming artwork. Plates can be hung on walls, and pitchers make ideal cottage-style flower vases. Teacups can even be attached to the wall to make one-of-a-kind curtain tiebacks.

  • Use garden accessories in creative ways. Drop candles into terra-cotta pots or use an old watering can to hold favorite magazines. Attach a section of garden fence to the ceiling with chain and make a pot rack that looks enchanting and provides more storage.

  • Keep it light and bright. Let in as much light as possible by using lightweight, airy window treatments. Hang the curtains so they clear the window when open, so as not to block any natural light.

  • Use a collection of mismatched mirrors to add cottage charm and reflect more light into the room. Adding a distressed finish to the frames further adds to the appeal.

  • Avoid matchy-matchy room decor. Cottage rooms tend to evolve over time, so don't fret if your dining table is painted white while the chairs are pale green.

  • Slipcovers are a cottage decor essential. Easy to care for and comfortable to live in, slipcovers make a casual design statement. Choose light-color fabrics or pretty prints. Don't forget to cover dining room chairs as well.

  • Quilts make especially beguiling table covers. You can find older quilts at yard sales, or you can repurpose damaged quilts as placemats and table runners. A word of warning: Do not use antique or valuable quilts on your tables, as stains may be impossible to remove.

  • Use flowers in every room for a fresh feel. No need to visit the florist; you can make inexpensive nosegays for each room by dividing up a larger supermarket bouquet. Display mini arrangements in sugar bowls or gravy boats.

  • Display all the pretty things you own. Cottage style is about real living, so give your handmade pottery, Grandma's china and the shawl you knitted last winter starring roles.

  • Add texture to your room with woven baskets. Create pretty displays on top of cabinets, under coffee tables or in the bathroom.

  • Cottage-style decorating is all about comfort, so remember to use throw pillows with abandon! Use decorative cushions and throws on beds, sofas, chairs and even in your outdoor spaces.

        About Our Expert
Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant. Visit her sites, The Budget Decorator and The Garden Glove, for more home and garden ideas.