Create a country cottage look on the exterior of your home – Part I  

Have you been considering updating the exterior of your property but for one reason or another you just haven’t gotten around to it?

If so, we understand, with the changeable weather, the rising costs of living and just general everyday life taking priority it’s easy for certain projects to fall to the wayside.

But if you are now at a stage to get back on track with your plans what were they? Perhaps you have a few ideas already or you are looking for some inspiration.

If it’s the latter what if we said to you – Country Cottage Style.

When you think of a country cottage style the words that spring to mind are Cosy, Vintage and Nature. You don’t even need to live in a Victorian style white thatched cottage to achieve this look.

Here are some of our ideas to create a beautiful country cottage style for the exterior of your home:

1. Update your front door

One of the most popular country cottage trends is a barn, joined board style door with added embellishments like hinges and shaped door knockers (hello Lion’s head). Of course, many cottages do not exclusively feature this style and there are many other choices that work just as nicely including doors with one or more window panels and bright coloured doors.

Why not paint your existing door a sunshine yellow or add some hinges and a beautiful brass shaped knocker. Or even add a stylish wreath made of flowers to give your front door that cosy cottage feel. Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas.  Pinterest is a great platform for inspiration photos. One of our personal favourites is this white joined board style door with black hinges and lion shaped knocker.

2. Arch de triumph

Adding a wooden arch over your gate entrance is a fantastic way of achieving a country cottage look whilst also beautifying the entrance to your home. Add potted plants either side of the arch for that extra added elegance. If wood is not your thing, add a metal style arch and mount with flowers and plants to achieve a fairytale style entrance.

3. Paint your house

Whilst a nice white is certainly a popular choice it isn’t the only choice. Other more neutral colours like stone or light orange have often been featured on country cottages. The good news is you don’t have to have a painted house to create a cottage look so if your home is made of brick, you too, can still create a country cottage look by way of accessories and accents.

4. Add some accessories

Which brings us to our next point – accessorise! Adding some simple accessories to the front of the house can really help to create the country cottage vibe. Flower boxes, hanging plants and potted pants are a great way to add a bit of character whilst also introducing some plants to the mix (more on plants later). One of the great things about country cottage aesthetic is that there is a strong emphasis on ‘shabby chic’ and ‘antique’ style accessories so you can create this look without breaking the bank. Simply reuse an old wooden bucket, or box or head down to your local car boot or reclamation yard and see what’s on offer there. A popular item people use in gardens are old pallets. If you’re near a local business who might have some old pallets ask if you can have them and incorporate them into your dreamy cottage aesthetic. Other things to use include: wooden house name/ number signs, wooden carts, an antique water pump or even an old bicycle!

5. Shutters are Key!

One of the best things you can do to create a country cottage look to your home is to add shutters. A board and batten, tongue and groove style shutter works perfectly with this aesthetic and there are plenty of options available. With maintenance free as well as wooden options in varying style including joined, spaced and Z bar option you will certainly find shutters to suit you.

For more ideas on creating a country cottage look for your home stay tuned for part II.