Introduction
Depending on where you live, country decor can mean many different things. But most of us have a general idea of what it means to give your house a country look. A house that is decorated with country style can be compared to a cabin or farmhouse with primitive furniture, vintage fabrics and colors often found in nature. The best part about this style is that no matter where your house is located, you can turn it into a country getaway. Below are five tips for decorating your house in country style.
Step 1
Do not buy new furniture. Everyone has walked through a department store or furniture store showroom. Sure, they may have items that are made to look like they belong in a house with country style decor, but you will pay so much money for them. Instead of shopping for new furniture, check out your local flea market, garage sales and antique shops. You may even want to check your parents' or grandparents' attic or storage space. Vintage furniture with simple, straight lines and painted finishes make a great addition to any country house.
Step 2
Use colors found in nature. Most country style homes are full of browns, greens, blues and red. These are all colors you will find in nature. A country style house can have bright or muted colors, depending on the look you are going for, but you want to stick to colors that you would see while hiking through the forest or along a beach.
Step 3
Literally bring the outdoors in. Don't stop at using colors found in nature; bring other items from the outdoors in to accent your country style rooms. Dried flowers make a lovely addition to any country house. Sticks can be used to make artwork or signs to hang on the wall. Even a vase, basket or bowl of pine cones is a great way to add a little nature to your rooms. Now, if you don't want to use actual items found in nature, you can choose to replicate them. Pictures of natural settings, ornamental pieces that look like items found in nature and fabrics with floral or animal prints will help bring in the outdoors.
Step 4
Speaking of fabrics, they can do a lot to give your house a country style feel. Depending on your colors and the type of country style you choose to implement, florals and plaids always look great mixed in with your country decor. And if you want to take it to the extreme, quilts can be incorporated in almost every room. Fold an old quilt at the foot of your bed or lay one across the back of your sofa. You can even hang one on the wall.
Step 5
Finally, country style decor requires you to pay close attention to lighting. Most rooms have bright overhead fixtures that light up an entire room. When you decide to go with a country style, you may want to use something a little more subtle. Table and floor lands or chandeliers can keep your room well-lit without making it too bright. Also, take advantage of windows and any natural light that enters your room. Using lamps and chandeliers will also give you some room to be creative when it comes to choosing decorative items. There are many lamps on the market (or in those antique stores and flea markets you may visit) that fit perfectly in any country style house or room.
Tips
It doesn't matter what your country style is. Maybe you prefer a rustic cabin style or maybe you are more into a cottage chic. Either way, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun. As long as you like it and your house is comfortable, you can't go wrong.
Sources and Citations
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