Renovating a Small House Into a Cozy Country Cottage

Plan Ahead

• According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, you should "go through the design process first and choose everything you want to include in the new room(s), ...This will define your budget..." Preparing a floor plan allows you work out on paper exactly where you want walls, windows, doors and furnishings, giving you a practical plan of action for your renovation project. Choose your style or blend of styles: elegant country French with a formal fireplace mantel and carved wood or an earthy cottage style with warm colors, rustic accents and natural elements like stone. You can achieve a contemporary country cottage look by raising the ceiling to reveal the rafters and placing emphasis on the lighting design.

Materials

• Renovate your small house into a cottage by layering materials such as wood, stone and paint; add depth to your plain walls with wood paneling or wainscoting. You can achieve country appeal using stacked stone to dress an accent wall surrounding a fireplace, or by framing windows and doors with 5-inch-thick molding. Rip out old carpeting in favor of wide wood-plank flooring punctuated by elegant area rugs or simple braided rag rugs.

Finishes

• Paint and fabrics in the same tones allow finishes to flow from room to room. To dress up your cottage, use neutral tones in whites, creams and grays or renovate by layering color in pale hues of green, mint, yellow and blue. Achieve a more rustic mountain cottage look by painting your house in distressed darker tones. Have fun renovating old floors and furniture with paint in a single color or a faux finish to replicate crackled and distressed finishes. Traditional floral fabrics layered with plaids, stripes and gingham dress up windows and upholstery to invite in the warmth of the countryside.

Furnishings

• Furnish your cozy cottage for elegance with carved furnishings and patterned drapery or with the simpler decor of American Shaker furniture and ceiling-to-floor window sheers. Plush stuffed sofas and chairs invite guests to rest. You can renovate existing sofas and chairs into a country look by dressing them in slipcovers. Use your imagination to re-purpose old finds such as renovating an antique tri-fold vanity mirror as a headboard or an old bedroom dresser as a kitchen island, bathroom vanity or media cabinet.

Accessories

• Add a final touch to your country cottage renovation with new accessories. Replace cabinet and window hardware with brass knobs and pulls or add a more rustic look with wrought iron. Accessories such as patchwork quilts, throws, pillows, light fixtures, baskets and art conclude your cozy country cottage renovation.