Cottage Kitchens
Cottage kitchens include a wonderful mix of the old and the new in every aspect of decor. If you love sturdy antique furniture and mismatched pieces just because you can't bear to part with them, don't fret; your new bungalow feeling kitchen can accommodate the weathered items and the new ones too.
What is cottage style decorating?Truly, it's a way of living rather than an actual decorating style, a simple way of living. The antique hutch you discovered under a blanket at the auction and your brand new wood flooring will look great together, so go ahead and bring that hutch home!
Your kitchen should reflect your personality considering it is the one room of the home that sees a lot of activity. The kitchen should be an inviting place for you, your family, and your guests.
Kitchen Decorating Ideas
- Pendant lighting over the kitchen sink or island is ideal for allowing ample light and style. If you find an older light fixture you'd like to use, take it to your local electrician and he should be able to help you bring it back to life.
- Plate racks in place of enclosed cabinets lend themselves to a cottage kitchen.
- Painted wood plank floors are authentically classic and easily maintained.
- Purchased braided rugs or rugs you make yourself add coziness to your kitchen.
- Beadboard on walls or on the fronts of cabinets add charm and beauty to any kitchen
- Use atypical furniture pieces in your cottage kitchen; a dresser in place of a floor cabinet, a hutch as a secretary, or salvaged pieces from the second hand store for the island or storage cabinet.
- Butcher-block counters are popular with this style kitchen. They're functional and develop a beautiful golden appearance over the years.
- Furniture need not match, it just needs to be sturdy, functional and comfortable.
- Window treatments are easily sewn from lace or sheer fabric. If you desire more privacy, add a simple, light-colored shade that can be lifted during the day.
- Tins and hatboxes can be covered with fabric that coordinates with your color scheme and then used to store kitchen utensils or odds and ends.
- Add photos or wall art that coordinate with the overall theme.
Color Schemes
Color schemes for this kitchen decorating style vary according to your taste. Choose a soft color of green, blue, coral, yellow, or even pink for your walls and feature all white furniture and cabinetry.
For those who live near the water or beach, bring in a color palette with light blue, white, and light earth tones. Country cottage style kitchens work best when decorated with darker hues of earth tones with splashes of deep green and gold. Regardless of the color scheme you choose, bring in floral patterns or striped patterns with window treatments, hand towels, cushions, or fabric-lined cabinets.
A cottage kitchen should be one that is simple and functional in its design. Surfaces should be easy to clean and maintain. A great cozy charming kitchen draws you in and invites you to stay a while and reflects your personality.
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