Light and Bright Decorating for a Cottage

Bright Colors

• Update a dull, dreary cottage with light, bright colors to give the home an instant pick-me-up. Paint living room, bathroom, bedroom and kitchen walls with cheerful colors, such as sunny yellow, sea-foam green and watery blue. You can also paint the walls a fresh white color to set the stage for the design style. Incorporate the light colors throughout the cottage through the use of vases, candles, picture frames and other decor items.

Airy Textiles

• Transform the cottage into a happy space by decorating it with airy textiles. Hang gauzy white curtains in the windows to catch warm summer breezes. You can install white blinds under the curtains for added privacy. Place handmade white quilts featuring pastel-hued floral patterns on the cottage beds. If you have a white or ecru-colored couch, add a pop of color with light yellow, orange and green-striped throw pillows.

Garden-Inspired Patterns

• A simple way to lighten up a cottage is with garden-inspired patterns. Use a sun-dappled flower garden as inspiration when decorating the rooms. Hang a shower curtain featuring large, bright, floral patterns to create a bathroom focal point. For an artistic look, paint vibrant flowers on a plain white wall, or hang framed images or paintings of gardens in bloom. Add softness and color to wooden kitchen table chairs with cushions featuring red, yellow, green and orange floral designs.

Fresh Decor Touches

• Nothing will give your cottage a light, bright look quite like fresh flowers and foliage. Enhance wall shelves, desks and tables with milk glasses or crystal vases filled with yellow daisies, red roses, purple hydrangeas, orange tulips and other colorful flowers. Fill in empty cottage corners with large, potted tropical plants. To create a soothing vibe in a bathroom or bedroom, place a vase of fragrant lavender stems on a vanity table or nightstand.