Winter Decorating Tips for a Country Cottage Look

Winter is a cozy season, and many people like to decorate accordingly. The country cottage look is a fine look for winter, evoking thoughts of fireplaces and simpler times. If you’d like your home to have a country cottage look this winter, here are some decorating tips.

Your Porch – In winter, putting out a rocker isn’t necessarily appropriate for the season. But you can create a welcoming, country look by using:

• wooden crates and overturned galvanized buckets as tables and setting crockery jugs on top.
• hand-painted slate signs saying “welcome.” (A friendly, country touch.)
• an old-fashioned bell with a rope that people can ring instead of a doorbell. 

Primitive Lamps – Lighting is key to achieving a country cottage look, and it involves more than just “dim lighting.” Try “accessorizing” your lighting with: 

• Oil or Regular Lamps – Whether they burn actual oil or not, stick with the primitive look such as an oil lamp-shaped lamp or something with a wooden or metal base.
• Bulbs – There are many types of bulbs to choose from, but candle bulbs lend a wonderful country touch to your room.
• Lamp Shades – Earth-toned shades or those with decorative holes punched in primitive designs also add to the look.
• Chandeliers – Wrought iron chandeliers are a cozy choice for kitchen, dining room, or wherever you want an overhead light with a cottage theme.

Natural Light – A country cottage should have lots of natural light from windows or skylights. This gives an old-fashioned feel to the home, because in days gone by, there was no lighting during the day besides what came through the windows.

Pottery and Plates – Pieces like Enamelware (the blue-speckled-with-white variety) and Stoneware are easy to find and add variety and texture to mantel shelves, end tables, dresser tops or bay windows. A few of these country-style treasures might include:

• Watering Cans, Buckets, Ladles
• Pitchers, Coffee or Tea Pots
• Pie Plates, Rolling Pins
• Bottles, Jugs, Pickle Crocks
• Plates, Bowls, Cups
• Cooking Utensils

Antique and Distressed Furniture – Wooden furniture that has a “distressed” finish lends to a charming country atmosphere. You can use actual antiques or have furniture specially finished to create the antiqued look.

Garlands and Natural Decorations – Simple, natural, and primitive is the look you’re aiming for. Gather a variety of natural materials such as branches, twigs, and berries to make a few of these perfect final touches both inside and out:

• Garlands
• Swags or sprays 
• Wreaths
• Candle rings
• Sprigs of berry-covered twigs in a stoneware pitcher set on a rustic wooden coffee table
• And the list goes on…! 

Whether simple or more elaborate, country cottage-style decorating will achieve a wonderful cozy feel in your home this winter. 

We want to know your favorite country cottage decorating tips! Please share them in the comments below.

Until next time Divas, wear your heels well & be blessed!

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