How to Add Classic Cottage Charm to Your Timber Home

Photo: Courtesy Rustica Hardware

2. Barn Doors  

There’s a reason these sliding doors have become associated with well-styled homes more than utilitarian buildings. Barn doors are a smart option for creating privacy in areas with limited space because they roll along horizontal tracks rather than swing on vertical hinges. Plus, they make a major style statement! Whether you opt for a rustic natural wood door with black metal hardware or one painted in a soft shade then distressed for a shabby chic look, barn doors are a way to instantly infuse any room with cottage personality.

PRO TIP

 Though a barn door doesn’t swing wide like a traditional door that requires you to keep obstructions out of the way, it still needs horizontal clearance down the length of the track — something to keep in mind when planning furniture placement.

Photo: Heidi Long

3. Open Shelving

A relaxed feel is a cottage design hallmark, and open shelving is an easy way to add casual style and exceptional function to a busy kitchen. Replacing traditional upper cabinetry with shelving (bonus points if you back it with beadboard!) is a simple move with a number of benefits. Open shelving will visually expand the space; invite guests to make themselves at home, since they can easily find what they need; and reduce the steps between you and daily essentials, like your favorite coffee mug. They’re also the perfect place to display collections. May we suggest antique milk glass or an arrangement of happy house plants?

PRO TIP

 If you’re concerned about open shelving being a magnet for dust and grease, position your shelving on the opposite side of the kitchen from the stovetop, and store daily-use items there, as they will be washed regularly.

 Photo: Belham Living

4. Sleeping Porches

Before the days of central AC, sleeping porches were a necessity for getting through sweltering summers, especially in pockets of the South where the heat remains relentless past sunset. These open-air retreats are experiencing a revival for good reason. It doesn’t get more dreamy than a screened-in porch outfitted with furniture that invites you to settle in and be lulled to sleep by soft breezes and the sounds of nature. Create an outdoor sanctuary by filling the space with comfortable furnishings, like plush chaise lounges, an antique daybed or a more modern hanging bed piled high with pillows.

PRO TIP

To minimize solar exposure, position your sleeping porch on the northeast side of your home. Install an overhead fan to ensure comfort during sticky summer nights and simple bamboo shades to filter the morning sun.

Photo: Courtesy Lowe's

5. Color

It’s no secret that classic cottage-style and creamy white paint have achieved BFF status. But even if you’re not ready to coat every surface of your home in white, you can keep a playful cottage feel by adding shots of color. Think: the grown-up versions of your favorite childhood crayons. For example, “apricot” instead of “carnation pink.” Other favorites: robin’s egg blue, golden yellow, terra-cotta and pistachio-green. And, while there are no rules saying you can’t wash an entire wall in these colors, start by adding shades in small doses, like wainscoting, shiplap or in a powder room. Play it even safer by opting for colorful furnishings or accessories that can be swapped out according to mood and season.