Country Interior: 7 Design Tips and 33 Inspiration Ideas

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How to design a summer cottage interior, make rooms lighter and more spacious, while preserving the charm and cosiness of a rustic style? In our review - recommendations of designers and ideas for inspiration.

Country style as a unique phenomenon

Photo: @jagodowapolana

Country style is a phenomenon, in fact, unique, existing precisely in the post-Soviet space. In some ways, it rhymes with the country style or the Provence style, which are traditionally used to decorate country houses on either side of the ocean. But our, domestic country style has its own characteristics. Not least, they are dictated by the fact that the dacha, as a rule, is not the main place of residence. This "optional" summer house, once built, possibly with one's own hands, can be passed down from generation to generation, becoming not only a place of rest, but also a kind of "archive" that preserves the heritage of our grandparents, fathers and mothers. It just so happened - and often it remains: the furniture, dishes, clothes, textiles, which served in the city apartment, are sent to the cottage ... The interiors of summer cottages are often eclectic - not thanks to the witty idea of the designer, but because "it happened". It’s great if, building a country house “from scratch”, you initially think over and consistently design its interior. However, if your summer house was built more than a decade ago, you can try to change and refresh its appearance with minimal time and effort.

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Designer's recommendations:

- Conduct an audit

Before you bring new things to the interior of the cottage, it is worth finding out what you are ready to get rid of. Arrange a revision: say goodbye to furniture that cannot be repaired or restored, morally or physically obsolete textiles (curtains, bedspreads, pillows, rugs), cracked dishes, and so on. If you are not ready to change the interior dramatically, you should not be too strict about things: for example, do not throw away your favorite old armchair or sofa with torn or worn upholstery: you can try to update the furniture (the main thing is that it remains comfortable and safe).

Photo: @ptasieradiobrzozow

- Do not be afraid of eclecticism

The cottage interior initially involves a mixture of styles - try to play on it, and not get rid of eclecticism. Moreover, in a usually small space of a house you need to combine zones with various functional purposes.

Photo: @scott_and_son

- Use natural materials

For decoration, try to choose objects and wood trim and natural fabrics - cotton, linen. It is better to refuse plastic and synthetics.

Photo: @marleyandlockyer

- Choose a soft light

Bright direct lighting in the country is important primarily for the working area (whether it is a kitchen table, a corner for needlework or a mini-cabinet). In other cases, soft diffused light is preferable. Choose local light sources (floor lamps, table lamps, sconces), matte or fabric lampshades, and not too bright lamps. Let the lamps not be too bulky or "ceremonial": giving additional light, they can visually clutter the room. Garlands made of small bulbs are good for decorating verandas or open balconies.

Photo: @ janecooper321

- Combine the interior with color

Even the most eclectic interior will help to “assemble” and make the use of color more harmonious. Textiles are perfect for this.Sew, for example, curtains, bedspreads, pillowcases for decorative pillows from fabrics of one or well-matching colors. The old sideboard, chest of drawers or other wooden furniture can be repainted - we told how to do it.

Photo: @thoezz_by_diana

- Visually expand the space

As a rule, the rooms of a country house are not too spacious, and the ceilings are not very high. To expand the space, use calm light colors close to the natural range as a base. Do not make the walls and floor too dark or too bright, motley. Too much decor, items not hidden in the cabinets also make the room visually smaller.

Photo: @dreierbydesign

- Use vibrant accents

But some bright accents, including textile ones, will be very good against an otherwise calm background. They will emphasize the immediacy of the cottage style and add coziness.