Ah the cottage… lazy days and quiet nights… it’s your summer retreat, your escape. But while the living is easy, there’s no reason your cottage can’t be stylish as well as comfy. There’s nothing wrong with knotty pine, but with a little effort and imagination, your cottage can be so much more!

Eclectic, Shabby Chic, Country Casual…what’s your cottage style?

The cottage is the perfect setting to embrace a feel-good, “mismatched” decor. Of course, you’ll still want to bring it all together in a manner that’s pleasing to the eye. Have a look at some of our favourite ways to make your cottage cheerful and beautiful, without spending a fortune:

Paint. White paint is your best friend at the cottage. If your walls, furniture, mantelpiece, staircase or anything else is dark and dreary, paint it white. In fact, paint everything white! White reflects light and creates a neutral background canvas to experiment with colour in your fabrics and accessories.

More Paint. Yes, paint is your ally. Old wooden furniture, light fixtures, wicker items, chairs, tables, cast iron bed frames… you name it…paint it and give it a new life. If your walls and ceiling are white, try something with zip like warm red, chartreuse or sunny yellow.

HINT: Not a big fan of white walls? Try a soft blue, pale yellow or sea foam green – it will bring the beauty of the lake indoors.

Floors not Carpet. Hardwood is preferred – and it doesn’t need to be in perfect shape. (Actually, rugged looks better in a cottage!) Sometimes you can find reclaimed wood from an old building. Carpeting is just not practical – it’s hard to keep clean and sometimes absorbs “mouldy” odours during the winter months.

Furniture. In most cottages, space is at a premium, so you’ll need furniture that is small enough to fit comfortably, but flexible enough to accommodate all your summer guests. Bunk beds, beds with drawer storage underneath, day beds and pull out sofas all fit the bill.

You’ll want to invest in a good sofa. The cottage is all about relaxing after all. There are lots of smaller sized sofas these days as well as sectionals that offer plenty of seating on a compact footprint.

For additional storage, remember that chests of drawers work well in hallways, stairwells or tucked in any corner.

Exposed Shelves or Bookcases. This is one of my favourite cottage looks. Instead of a series of cupboard doors, try installing exposed shelves or a rustic bookcase that showcase your pretty dishes. The beauty of it is that the dishes don’t all have to match or being “high end” – flea market finds and cups and saucers work well. For a more rustic look, add some baskets and antique pieces like wine casks or biscuit barrels. Coloured glass will look fantastic, especially if you’ve chosen a white theme for the background walls.

Art. One of the biggest challenges is to find beautiful things to hang on the walls without spending a lot. An excellent choice is black and white photos. Have a day when the whole family gets involved in picture taking – then buy basic black frames with generous white mattes. It looks so sophisticated! Go to discount stores for the frames – they don’t need to cost much!

Hint: Another idea for a wall hanging is a beautiful quilt or tablecloth – especially nice in a stairwell or high ceiling area.

All Bottled Up. Glass jars are an inexpensive way to display pretty items. Mason jars, apothecary jars, even fish bowls. Use them to showcase simple treasures – sand, seashells, even wine corks, coloured buttons or marbles!

Bring the Outside In. Touches of nature make a cottage even more special. Wildflowers in an old jug, driftwood, beach rocks – and one of my favourites – twigs! Twist twigs into unexpected places like old light fixtures, around your mantel or in your flower displays.

However you choose to decorate your cottage, be safe and smile often this summer!