Cottage Chic Anyone?

Cottage Chic decorating ideas for your comfortable, casual home. Create a relaxed, welcoming space combining vintage finds with new pieces. It is a style that offers versatility and is easy on the budget!

How do you define this decor? Here’s my take on the style. Think of shabby chic, then remove the crystal and add some bolder color. Next, visualize country cottage taken up a notch or two in style. Keep the overall look clean and uncluttered, and there you have it...Cottage Chic!

How do you create this look? Here are  some  Cottage Chic Ideas for you that will apply to any room or space in your home

Small Bathroom Makeovers

So you have a teeny, tiny bathroom and want to make it more user-friendly? It can be a challenge to accomplish, particularly if your budget won't allow for anything more than cosmetic adjustments. We'll discuss both small bathroom makeovers and decorating a small bathroom the inexpensive way!

Small bathroom makeovers usually entail ripping out the old and installing the new. If you are replacing fixtures as part of your small bathroom design project, replace them with fixtures that take up as little space as possible.

For example, if you are removing an existing sink/cabinet combo,replace it with a pedestal sink. If your project to create a beautiful bathroom includes replacing the bathtub, consider if this bathroom can function effectively both now and in the future with a shower unit. They take up less space and serve the same purpose. Corner showers can work well, depending on the layout of your bathroom. 

Create different layouts on paper, nothing fancy, to see what options you might have to open up the space a little bit. Be sure to get a professional opinion and estimate, however, before taking any action on your ideas. You want to make sure your pocketbook matches your creativity!

The next step in your small bathroom makeover is to consider the floor and tub/shower area (if this is a full bath). It's usually a good idea when decorating a small bathroom to keep the floor tiles light and neutral in color; the same goes for tub/shower tiles if applicable.

How about the entry door to the bathroom - does it open and close easily or is it in the way? My folks have a powder room that is so small, they took the door off and replaced it with a bifold door that almost disappears when open. And the fact that it does not swing into the little bath is a plus, too.

Bathroom color selection when decorating a small bathroom can be a daunting decision for some. Here is my philosophy with small bathrooms: use any color you want. The room is really small, so you may as well have fun with it. Keep the floors and ceiling light in color and have fun with the rest!

Read more about Small Bathroom Makeovers 

Wall Decorating Ideas

Answering the question, “How do I decorate my walls” sends some people into a panic. After selecting the furnishings and accessories for a room or space, wall decorations can complete the look in a spectacular way or relegate the space to ho-hum ordinary and predictable.

No need to stress out over wall decor...just follow this process and the ideas presented here...you’ll be fine!
 
There are three main considerations for determining the right wall decor for your home:

The first step is to make sure that your walls themselves are in order, meaning, do they need some color?... decorative trim such as crown molding?... practical trim such as shoe molding? ...a really good cleaning? Take a good long look and make sure your walls are ready for those decorations.

Next, have a good sense of your decorating style for this space, as that will influence your wall decorating ideas and selections.

For example, if contemporary home decor speaks to you, then you will definitely utilize the ‘less is more’ strategy for your wall decor. You might select one dramatic piece of art (doesn’t have to be an expensive original to be great) for the focal point wall in the room.


The third important consideration with wall decorating ideas is the room function itself. This may seem obvious, but sometimes we get caught up in how much we adore a particular picture, for example, and forget about the space it is going into.

If your wall decorating ideas are for the kitchen, for example, make sure they are appropriate for the space. Having said that, I am all for being creative and utilizing artwork and wall accessories in ways that are unexpected, so I am not advocating the typical picture collections of fruits or spices, for example.

Just make sure that your selection is compatible with the room function, fits the color palette for the space as well as the decorating style you have chosen.

Read more specific ideas and tips for Wall Decorating