Interior Design and Country Home Decorating

Colors

• The color scheme sets the tone for country decor and lends to the welcoming, relaxed feeling. Colors to consider include pale blue, pastel pink, lilac, sage green and sunny yellow. Colors, such as white, beige and brown work well as accents for this color scheme. Incorporate these colors on the walls, in the floor coverings and in decorative accents to achieve a country-style color scheme.

Furniture

• Country-style furniture has a casual and antiqued look that helps to create a welcoming environment. Select wicker pieces with gingham or floral upholstery. Aged rocking chairs serve as comfortable seating near a fireplace or a window. Use a hope chest as a coffee table or place it against a wall and top it with pillows for extra seating. A white-washed table or a table with some paint sanded off of it, surrounded by mismatched wooden or pastel colored chairs, is ideal for a kitchen or dining space. A brass or wrought iron bed frame is an ideal option for a bedroom.

Linens

• Casual linens are well-suited for this design. Cover your windows with lace, sheer or gingham curtains. Use a patchwork blanket to cover a bed, drape one across the back of a couch or display one on a wall as a decorative accent. Place pillows covered with pastel-colored fabric on beds and couches. Cover floors with braided area rugs.

Accessories

• Play up the country-theme with accessories. Display a distressed, wooden-framed photograph or painting of wildflowers on a wall. Hang bouquets of dried wildflowers or set them in decorative pitchers on tables and countertops. Hang baskets on walls as decorative features, or use them as storage elements. Place tapered candles in wrought iron candlesticks and set them out on tabletops. Hang wrought iron sconces on the walls and a wrought iron chandelier for lighting.