If you’re feeling like your living room is lacking whimsy and cozy Earthiness, look no further than this list of rustic cottage living room ideas for inspiration!
Last Updated: 9/13/24
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Plain, dull, and boring grey builder-grade homes are out and colorful, whimsical, cozy cottages are back in! I feel the wave of neutrals and minimalism is dying down in home decor trends and I’m all here for it.
We’re entering an era of lived-in, full of character homes. Everyone is longing for simpler times, easier and breezier days, and the simplicity that comes with a rustic lifestyle!
You can invoke this very feeling of nostalgia in your own home with these rustic cottage living room ideas.
I know that I’m embracing cottage core and rustic decor in my own home this spring more than ever! I’m working to blend function and beauty, sourcing sustainable antique furniture, and being inspired by the outdoors more than ever.
I hope you’ll join me in embracing this trend as I believe it will bring joy and warmth to your heart to step in a home like this every day.
But as always, in order to achieve this whimsical design style, we first have to understand the fundamentals of it. No one likes going into a shopping spree blind (well many of us do but it makes for poor financial decisions!)
Design Fundamentals of these Rustic Cottage Living Room Ideas:
Country Cottage Style-
So you’re starting to tackle the design process in your home this spring and you turn to Pinterest for inspiration. Suddenly you’re seeing the words “country”, “primitive”, and “cottage” everywhere. What does this even mean?
Essentially what these words are trying to pin down is a design aesthetic that focuses on antique finds, an importance in function over design, and most importantly, COMFORT!
Your space should feel cozy, lived in, and filled with character. Shop pieces that have been previously used and loved and don’t worry about clean lines and perfection.
Color Palettes-
Though this design style can be achieved in almost any color palette, the most common palettes you’ll see are completely inspired by nature.
When shopping and picking out paint colors, think Earthy hues and floral tones. Lost of warm rich browns with a hint of green, blue, and even pink!
Let nature be the guide here and you can’t go wrong.
Natural Textures-
One of the key elements of achieving an authentic-looking rustic space is to use all natural textures and materials.
In these rustic cottage living room ideas, you’ll see a ton of wood accents as well as jute, leather, stone, and ceramics. The more natural materials you can layer into your space, the better.
Overall, you’ll want to avoid materials like plastic, cool toned metals, synthetic fabrics, and vinyl.
Rustic Cottage Living Room Ideas
Related to Rustic Cottage Living Room Ideas:
- Rustic Living Room Centerpiece Ideas
- Country Style Living Room Chairs and Where To Buy Them
- English Cottage Living Room Ideas
1. White Walls and Wood Beams
It’s hard to go wrong with white walls when trying to achieve a bright and airy cottage look in your home. White can be dressed up or down so it’s always a good starting base.
Especially if you have wooden beams in your home or a plan to add them, a bright flat white paint job will look extra modern and clean.
Be sure to add some pops of color either in your vintage furniture. your rug, or with house plants and flower cuttings.
2. Soft Furnishings
Credit: @my.life.in.color
A great way to add coziness and softness to your rustic cottage living room ideas is by replacing traditional housewares with soft furnishings.
For example, replace one of the doors in your home with a beautiful vintage curtain to create a unique focal point.
Also peak the velvet upholstery and patterned throw pillows above as other great examples of how to soften your space.
3. Classic Checks and Plaids
When it comes to country living room ideas, you can’t go wrong with patterns like gingham and plaid. Bring it into your curtains, your upholstery, or anywhere else where you need to add visual interest.
This will instantly add some rustic charm to your living room without overwhelming the architecture or furniture.
Find gingham patterns in any color to suit your design style and living space. Don’t be afraid to embrace pattern in small spaces either!
4. Antique Furniture
Credit: @the_old_cottage
To truly achieve these rustic living room ideas, it is essential that a large portion of your decor shopping happens at antique shops and thrifts. The best way to achieve country cottage style, is to find pieces that have been genuinely used, lived in, and have stood the test of time.
I love this simple primitive coffee table because though it is simple in design, you can tell that it was authentically made by hand.
It’s very hard to find newly made items that accurately achieve the welcoming feel and perfect look of old and loved antiques. Mix these finds with the correct modern pieces and you’ll get that perfect balance of function and beauty.
5. Brick or Stone Walls
Though adding any brick or stone walls and fireplaces to your own home can be a labor intensive project, is it guaranteed to make the biggest difference in the overall feel. It’s vintage accents like these that take your home decor to the absolute next level!
For a more cost effective and DIY friendly option, you can find affordable and BEAUTIFUL brick and stone veneer made for interior spaces.
If you’re dedicated to pulling off that English cottage style living room, this will be the project to tackle first.
6. Country Cottage Style
Credit: @therosecottagerevival
Now this would hardly be a list of rustic cottage living room ideas without the classic blue and white bright colors combo that is so recognizable in country homes.
This traditional design is so full of life and joy that it has stood the test of time.
You can incorporate this color combo in your wallpaper, throw pillows, rugs, blankets, or anywhere in your home that needs an extra zap of country charm. The key to a dual soft colors look is to use a mix of patterns and textures so your design doesn’t get two dimensional.
7. Neutral Tones in Small Spaces
Utilize the nooks and corners of your home by adding a window seat and open shelving tied together with a neutral palette.
One of the things I love most about rustic cottage living room ideas is the freedom to layer and load on the decor. The best and homiest cottages are filled to the brim with antiques, soft textures, and little housewares that have been collected over time.
So don’t let any corner of your home go unloved. This little reading nook is the perfect way to tie in some natural fabrics, utilize your large windows, and create spots for memories in your home.
8. Vintage Accents on the Walls
Credit: @janetclarkathome
Speaking of unused spaces, take a look around your home at your walls. Are you taking advantage of all that extra design space?
Don’t let the walls go blank in your sitting room, fill them with accent pieces!
Think antique dishes, rustic framed artwork, and sconces of all shapes and sizes. The more variation in form and size, the better your gallery wall will look.
9. English Countryside Floral Patterns
Nothing screams rustic cottage living room ideas quite like a bold floral pattern. Especially as we enter into spring, consider adding floral touches to your space!
As you can see above, this will lift the spirit of your home. It also allows for an added pop of color that can often be difficult to incorporate.
Easy ways to bring florals in to your space is through a slipcovered sofa, bright wallpaper, throw pillows, and breezy curtains.
10. Rustic Wood Features
Credit: Heidi Long Photography
This stunning rustic stairwell is the perfect insp photo for combining rustic wood features in your home. Don’t be afraid of mixing different stains and grains!
Even down to the wooden floors and antique bucket filled with birch stumps, you can always find a place to tie in some lovely rustic wood.
Adding wood features throughout your home will provide and Earthy and organic feel that can’t be replicated by other textures. When you get the opportunity in your design process, always consider just choosing wood.
11. Bold Colours
Just because you’re trying to achieve a rustic look using natural materials doesn’t mean you’re stuck with using all neutrals! The soft blues in the living room above prove that bold colors can be just as charming and lovely.
I think we are officially leaving all grey house and rooms in the past. All trends for this spring point to color and maximalism.
Personally, I really love this “color drenching” technique where everything from the walls to the floors are the same color. It takes the hassle out of color coordinating and makes a super bold statement in your home.
12. Traditional Rustic Touches
Credit: @downshilohroad
In the rustic home decor style, there are some traditional rustic design pieces that are commonly used to elevate any country home.
Pieces like antique milk jugs, wooden crates, and wood paneling art work as seen above are perfect go-to’s that will never go out of style.
Use these elements as centerpieces, extra storage spaces, or wall hangings for an easy way to add some rustic love to your rustic cottage living room ideas! (I promise I’ll stop using the word rustic now.)
13. Thrift Store Accent Pieces
I always tell myself and others in the home design process, “When in doubt, thrift it out.” Not only are thrift stores the best places to find affordable treasures, they’re also some of the best places to find inspiration when you have none.
If you’re reading this post, it probably means you have a clear vision for your home and how you want it to look. The freedom that comes along with that is you can really pull off some weird one-off knick knacks when your design style is well defined!
Don’t be afraid to have some fun with your home and add unique pieces to your collection. You’ll never know what you end up loving and if it’s only a couple bucks, why not?
14. Wood Beams with a Cozy Feel
Credit: @at_lucys_house
Everyone knows that a tall vaulted ceiling is one of those coveted home features that is primarily reserved for those with big budgets. You can achieve the same look in your home, though, with wood beams!
Wood beams are surprisingly simple to install and will make all the difference in your home. You can either build your own hollow beams, or purchase pre-made faux beams to use.
Either route you take will give you the rustic cottage living room ideas of your dreams in just one afternoon. Now that’s a solid investment that will raise the value of your home.
15. Inspired by Mother Nature
When all else fails and you find yourself at a loss for what to make of your living room, do as the interior designers do and turn to mother nature.
Make organic textures, Earthy colors, and natural elements center stage to make your space feel like beautiful forest.
Even if the architectural features of your home don’t fit your aesthetic, a lot can be achieved in the way of house plants, wooden furniture, and bright accent walls. So make your furniture choices wisely, and always look out your window to know what to do!
Related to Rustic Cottage Living Room Ideas:
- Rustic Living Room Centerpiece Ideas
- Country Style Living Room Chairs and Where To Buy Them
- English Cottage Living Room Ideas
Did you enjoy these rustic cottage living room ideas? What other areas in your home are you in need of inspo?
This post includes AI generated photos.
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