Image Credit: Risca Pine Centre
Many of us would love a gorgeous character cottage in the country, but due to our family size or budget, we simply can’t make the move at the current time. As such, a lot of us are now choosing to buy a property on a new build development that meets our needs, such as the number of bedrooms or having a bit of garden out the back for the kids to play on. We put the dream of the country cottage life on hold until we retire or get a unexpected windfall. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from some beautiful features of an English cottage, even in a new build property. Here are a few tips to get you started…
Make your rooms cosy
The first suggestion is to decorate your rooms in a warm and cosy style. New build properties are traditionally quite sparse when you move in, and can feel a bit soulless. You don’t need to keep it this way for long by adding a splash of colour to the walls and adding lovely pieces of furniture to your home (we’ll touch on this again later). Colour in your kitchen and living room will provide the maximum impact for the country cottage look.
Decorate your guest bedrooms
However, if you frequently have guests over to visit, you may want to think about giving one of your guest bedrooms a makeover. A comfortable bed is a must, as well as an array of blankets, duvets, cushions and pillows. A beautiful wardrobe and dresser will finish off your look, as well as providing a convenient place for your guests to store their clothes, shoes and toiletries during their stay.
Use flowers to add colour
If you are living on a housing development instead of a rural lane somewhere in the countryside, why don’t you bring the outdoors inside using plants and flowers? You can do this according to the season, such as showing off daffodils in the spring, sunflowers in the summer, and poinsettias in the winter. To add a touch of quirkiness to your home, why don’t you plant your flowers in different objects such as watering cans or teacups?
Find new items that look old
Another tip is to look in independent and boutique shops to see what replica antiques you can find. You’ll likely save a bit of money if you aren’t buying the original piece, but you’ll still benefit from great design features that would look brilliant in your home. Specific suggestions include grandfather clocks for your hallway or oak coffee tables for your living room. Of course, if you have the budget you could always head to a furniture auction to see if you can find an authentic antique instead.
About the author
David Phipp is a home furnishing company from Dorset where they have been trading as a family business for 40 years. They provide everything from clocks to guest beds, and pride themselves on their high levels of customer service and traditional values.
