Cottage living room ideas: Cosy up with these inspiring trends

How do you decorate a living room in a cottage?

When it comes to cottage living room ideas, think shabby-chic upcycling, patterned and woven materials, distressed accessories, and reclaimed wood.

It’s a familiar and welcoming interior design style, mixing elements of eclectic, country, boho, and farmhouse into one big aesthetic hug.

Can’t wait to get started?

Pop your postcode into the search bar below to see a list of our top professionals who’ll help you transform your living room into a cosy cottage retreat.

Cottage living room ideas with a traditional edge

1. Classic cottage decor for your living room

The quintessential cottage (pictured) includes everything you might expect from this interior aesthetic. With brown leather sofas and chairs, matching tartan cushions, and a distressed wooden coffee table, it’s a place to put your feet up and relax.

Transom windows with black grilles strengthen the traditional elements, while a stone fireplace and adjacent bookcase add warmth and character. Finished with an ambient table lamp and potted plants, the only thing missing is a dog!

2. Light and open-plan cottage living room design ideas

For those who prefer a brighter ambience, choose neutral materials and softer accessories. Pink organza curtains are lucent and stylish, while a large cream L-shaped sofa keeps the decor luxurious yet inviting.

The final look is softened further with a high-pile stone-effect rug, mahogany coffee table, and marble fireplace.

Related content: Cottage design ideas for every room.

3. Soft and warm cottage interiors for a neutral glow

For a touch of sunlight in your living room, choose warm decor and delicate accessories. Black wicker furniture evokes the great outdoors, while cushions with tree silhouette prints and knitted throws are both naturalistic and welcoming.

However, the two elements that set the tone in this living room are the white organza curtains and the large jute rug. They’re subtle yet elegant – evoking memories of warm summer days spent beneath the canopy of a quiet forest.

You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks on Checkatrade.

Small cottage living room ideas to bed down for the winter

4. Simple cosy cottage living room ideas

When choosing cottage living room decor for smaller rooms, a neutral design works best. This is because it gives the illusion of spaciousness, brightens the overall finish, and keeps the room warm and inviting.

In practice, this means choosing decor with neutral-to-light tones, warm woods, and plenty of naturalistic elements. Think shabby-chic furniture, white wood floors, hessian rugs, taupe-coloured walls, and a mini log store next to your converted fireplace.

5. Stately cottage interiors for dignified elegance

For those who enjoy murder mysteries or the odd game of Cluedo, this classic living room transformation is for you. With a wall of indexed books, deep leather sofas, high-backed fabric chairs, and a patterned woven rug, it’s a scene straight out of a Sherlock Holmes adventure.

A mosaic-tiled fireplace and black sash windows add some luxe to this traditional cottage design, while the stately chandelier and rough-framed mirror are nice finishing touches. Furthermore, deep yellow and black paint is used across alternating walls to add contrast and depth.

6. Transitional twists for a contemporary cottage aesthetic

If you’re looking for a more contemporary take on a cottage living room, there are several ways to incorporate traditional elements using transitional tricks. For starters, make sure you have a fireplace, comfortable seating, and plenty of wood features.

This design concept (pictured) makes a feature out of the fireplace. Using natural stonework to build a floor-to-ceiling unit, it includes inset shelves, framed wooden cutouts, and stacked shelving coves.

A chevron floor matches the wood found in the unit, expanding the effect, while a floor lamp, white skirting board and walls, and simple accessories neutralise the beige.

Cottage living room furniture ideas

7. Reclaim your couch

A reclaimed wood couch is the ultimate pièce de résistance in cottage decor. With a distressed look, the illusion of time, and stitched cushions, it’s a sofa with a story to tell. Just imagine sitting down with a warm cup of tea and a good book. As you settle into the cushions, you’re lost in time as you turn the pages of your favourite novel.

Related content: 19 wood furniture ideas for every home. 

8. Distress your materials

Embrace your inner witch or wizard with distressed furniture and fabrics. Woven threads and patchwork finishes suit cottage aesthetics the best; their shabby chic nature adds touches of worn elegance.

Pair them with vintage furniture and wooden accessories to fully embrace the country cottage appeal. Restored wooden floors or those with a weathered effect tie in the elements, while a thick-pile rug will stop you from getting any splinters.

9. Highlight your cosy aesthetics

If your cottage decor doesn’t immediately invite you to take a seat and put up your feet, you’re doing it wrong. Make the most of plush materials, thick throws, fluffy rugs, and patterned cushions.

Once you’ve built your perfect snug, enhance it with mood lighting. Floor lamps with fabric shades are always cosier than metal designs with glass sheathes, while inset shelves with subtle strip lights and candles on your coffee table are also acceptable additions.

10. Introduce the outdoors, indoors

To give your cottage living room design a lift, introduce some of the great outdoors into your home. Whether it’s a live wall, indoor garden, potted plant, or herb station, embrace nature while enhancing your decor.

Cottages are meant to be wild, homely, and mysterious. So, choose raw materials alongside unique personal touches until you find your perfect balance of nature and interior design.

Related content: Biophilic interior design ideas: Get closer to nature at home.

Find an experienced painter and decorator to transform your cottage living room

Create your dream cottage living room with the help of our trusted and reliable tradespeople. Simply add your postcode to the search box below to see who comes highly recommended in your area.