Moving into our new home has been exciting, but it has also presented challenges. Our new living room has a “quirk” in the form of a double doorway. At first, it felt like an obstacle to getting the cottage style look we wanted. But as we’ve worked through the furniture layout, we’ve found an opportunity to get creative.
If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration to create your own cozy cottage living room, join me for our living room makeover.
Looking for Cottage Style…
Here is the living room as we saw it when first touring this home. Stepping into this room is what first gave me that “at home” feeling. It just felt “right.” There’s no simple way to put words to a feeling… My best explanation to Matt was that it felt familiar and comfortable. The small cozy size of the room and the brick fireplace has a homey feeling the minute you step in the door.
That being said, it was essentially a white box. Not the most inspiring room to begin with but in the end we found it was the perfect starting point. By adding a little furniture, cottage style decor and soft lighting, we created an enticing cozy cottage snug.
The biggest drawback with the space was the double opening. This feature was disruptive to any friendly furniture layout. Plus, there is a tiny coat closet in the corner which would need easy access.
I love studying interior design and some of the best designers actually love challenges like this. It’s often the design quirks in a room that make the final style feel intentional. You really can have a room that’s too perfect.
There is also a fireplace and a large picture window. This left very little actual wall space to work with! We tried a few different furniture arrangements before landing on one that worked. The key was keeping pathways open while still creating a cozy seating area.
Our solution was to cover one opening with a bookcase. Fortunately, my bookcase with a desk was a perfect fit and looks like it belongs. With the extra opening closed off, we could then decide where to place the rest of the furniture.
We slid the loveseat next to the bookcase with a large cottage print over it, and the ottoman in front.
A narrow lamp/table combo fits easily next to the English rolled arm sofa to provide reading light, and allow for closet door clearance. Behind the lamp are stacked two pieces of art with the space between them carefully placed to allow maximum visibility while still adding homey layers. There is adequate space to get to the closet and to work at the desk.
Thanks to my furniture hunt on FB Marketplace I have added a small antique chair. When unused, the chair will slide in front of the closet door (and easily be moved away) providing a place to sit in and write at the desk, as well as extra seating for a crowd.
We placed the English rolled-arm sofa in the center of the remaining wall, then balanced the table/lamp and stacked art from the right side with comparable pieces on the left side.
I love how nothing matches, but everything goes together! This layout has proved very satisfactory, and I’m glad we worked with the problems of the room to find an attractive, comfortable solution.
Takeaway idea: Identify and solve the “quirks” in the room first, if you can, before decorating. If your room has an odd doorway, angle, or bump-out, embrace it. Find which furniture pieces fit in those little nooks. Quirks are what give older homes, and cottages in particular, their character.
Creating the Cottage Feel in a New Place
Even though the layout is different from our last home, the English country house style still carries through. The mix of vintage finds, soft textiles, antiques, and collected art brings a sense of familiarity. I’m reminded that this look isn’t tied to one particular style of building, but it’s an easy way of layering charm and warmth, of creating a home, wherever you are.
“The best homes aren’t flawless. They’re the ones where one feels most at ease.”
Cozy Touches Bring Warmth to a New Room
It’s a strange and oddly surprising thing when setting up a house in a new place that the “things” brought along from our previous life have that magical ability to make a space instantly seem like home. As I unpacked each lamp, each painting, and moved in each well-loved piece of furniture, it was like greeting old friends.
Though the rooms are arranged differently, the rhythm of how we live in our home has followed us here. I’ve been reminded how worthwhile it is to choose pieces that are timeless, that share a common color palette, and that mix (and re-mix) easily with one another.
Cottage Style Living Room Ideas
Here’s a recap of what we’ve learned through this process. I hope these tips will help you create a comfortable, cozy refuge for your family.
Work with the quirks.
Every home comes with something a little odd, even the new ones. A funny doorway, a slanted corner, a too-small wall. Instead of fighting it, try using it. A narrow nook might hold a petite bookcase. An awkward corner might be the perfect home for a soft, cozy chair. Quirks add charm.
“The best rooms often come from solving one stubborn problem.”
Create a simple, cozy layout.
Keep your pathways open so the room feels natural to walk through. Pull the furniture in closer than you think. Cottage rooms are at their best when the seating encourages real conversation.
- Float a sofa on the one full wall, if you have it.
- Pair it with a loveseat or comfortable chair.
- Add a soft ottoman for putting your feet up.
Use furniture you already love.
Your well-loved pieces will make the room feel like home right away. Lamps you’ve had for years, thrifted artwork and your favorite chair all make the room feel like yours. Matching isn’t the goal. Harmony is.
Layer in art and lighting.
Soft, vintage lighting goes a long way in a small room. A narrow table with a lamp can turn an overlooked corner into a gentle glow at night. Stacked artwork brings height and interest without overwhelming the room.
Make room for practical living.
Cottage style is more than how something looks, it’s how it works. If you need access to a closet, a walkway, or a workspace, plan your layout around it. Function first, decorating second. Things fall into place more easily that way.
Gather textures slowly.
Throw blankets, soft pillows, woven baskets, patterned art… these pieces add warmth over time. You don’t need everything at once. Let your room grow with you. When you’re ready to add a piece, my cottage style resource guide has the shops and books I keep going back to.
Where is our living room headed next?
We still have a ways to go (the bookcase shelf clips disappeared in the move, so we need to find replacements), the room is calling out for a rug, paint on the walls, and drapes (maybe wallpaper)… But for now, we are loving this cozy new living room. I’m really looking forward to having a fire going once the weather turns cool!
Until next time, take care,
Rachel.
