The Full Guide to Farmhouse & Cottage Style Interior Home Decorating

Farmhouse and cottage style interiors are two completely different looks, however they compliment each other extremely well. When you combine the two, you create a completely new look. If you love rustic style but want to introduce a bit more colour and character, creating an interior that uses the design principles of both the farmhouse and cottage style is the ideal solution…

Can you Mix Farmhouse and Cottage Style?

As previously mentioned, these two looks work really well together. Let’s have a look at the main principles of each style…

Farmhouse Decor – rustic and laid back with a focus on neutrals and natural materials, the farmhouse look is beautiful and simple, but can sometimes be a little lacking in character. While it’s possible to add interest with vintage pieces and put emphasis on the unique grain and finish of various pieces made from wood, this style is typically stripped of colour.

Credit: Sand and Stone Escapes

Cottage Decor – when it comes to this style, picture a traditional English country cottage. Featuring warm colours, chunky and comfy furniture, plenty of art on the walls and antique pieces, the country look is the perfect setting for getting cosy with a cup of tea.

Credit: Alexandra Tolstoy Cottage

Both designs share a similar main concept – they are laid back and focused on creating a comfortable environment. Neither are fussy or strict and neither are luxurious or minimalistic.

As you can see, with some main characteristics in common, the starting point of both the farmhouse and cottage look is the same, making it easy to blend the two styles.

How to Blend Farmhouse and Cottage styles…

When you combine these two trends, you create a ‘Farmhouse Cottage’ look. How you approach updating your interiors to create a farmhouse cottage style very much depends on your starting point.

If you already have farmhouse style decor, it’s likely you are considering updating your space to farmhouse cottage in order to add more colour and character. Typically focused on white walls and wooden furniture, if you stick very strictly to farmhouse decor, it’s likely all of your accessories and soft furnishings are neutral too.

Start small when it comes to introducing the cottage style – try replacing some furnishings first, such as cushions, curtains, blankets, bath linens and tea towels. Warm shades work best, and don’t be afraid of pattern. In terms of colour, almost anything goes, but try to stick to just a couple of shades, particularly to begin with, to avoid creating a confusing mishmash of colours and styles.

We love: The Hand Painted Waffle Throw in Mustard. This charming piece will add soft colour in a warm shade of yellow and texture too.

If your home is already in the country cottage style, and you want to add more balance with farmhouse decor, start by stripping back a little. Reduce down the amount of decorative pieces you have, from artwork and ornaments to soft furnishings.

Now that you have a paired back cottage style, it’s time to introduce more neutral and rustic pieces. Look at where you can have the biggest impact, for example, if you have a large coloured or patterned sofa, consider replacing this with a neutral alternative. Paint walls white and swap painted furniture for rustic natural wood pieces. Another option is to replace carpeted floors with light wood flooring, but you can add softness and colour back in with a feature rug.

Credit: Sand and Stone Escapes

If you’re starting from scratch and don’t already have farmhouse or cottage style in your home, this is a great opportunity to perfectly balance the two looks. If you are updating your kitchen, opt for white painted cupboards and a simple wood worktop and wood flooring. For the cottage style, wallpaper the wall behind your kitchen table, add in coloured or patterned tea towels, some vintage tea cups and crockery on open shelving. Finally, invest in fresh flowers to go in a colourful vase on your table each week.

Credit: Nordiska Kök

For a bedroom, keep walls white, but perhaps you might consider painting the wall behind your bed in a different colour. Opt for white sheets, but add layers to your bed with a couple of colourful blankets and patterned cushions. Keep furniture in natural wood or white, but go for a statement dresser in a country-style colour, with a vintage mirror above. Hang colourful antique art above your bed, and finish the room with a large rug.

Credit: Caroline Holdaway

For a bedroom, keep walls white, but perhaps you might consider painting the wall behind your bed in a different colour. Opt for white sheets, but add layers to your bed with a couple of colourful blankets and patterned cushions. Keep furniture in natural wood or white, but go for a statement dresser in a country-style colour, with a vintage mirror above. Hang colourful antique art above your bed, and finish the room with a large rug.

Take a similar approach to the rest of your home, perfectly balancing farmhouse and cottage styles. Create a look that suits you – this style is open to interpretation. In some spaces you might lean more towards a farmhouse look, whereas in others there might be more of a cottage influence. Style your home in a way that suits your lifestyle and the way that you use each room.

What Decor Style is Replacing Farmhouse?

The farmhouse look has been popular for some time now, so it’s no surprise that for 2024 it’s getting an upgrade. This classic look is timeless, which is one of the reasons that it’s so loved. Rather than completely restyling your farmhouse home, instead update it in line with the new version of farmhouse – farmhouse cottage.

Can you Mix Farmhouse and Traditional Decor?

The farmhouse style isn’t necessarily a modern look, which means that it works well with traditional design elements. The wonderful thing about this style is that it is flexible – not modern or traditional, it’s possible to take the farmhouse style in your own direction. This is why combining farmhouse style works so well with cottage decor, which is typically a more traditional look.

Credit: Anne Boyd Cottage

If you’re looking for a way to update your home in 2024, this style is the perfect option for creating a laid back and cosy space full of character and interest. Have fun with farmhouse and cottage style interior decorating – interpret this look in your own way and be playful with colour, vintage pieces and pattern.