Cottage interior design | House & Garden

Is there anything cosier than settling into a plump sofa in a charming country cottage? Being enthusiastic cottage devotees, we think not. Warm colours, plush furniture, and a generous scattering of art and antiques make these country interiors perfect settings for curling up with a cup of tea.

Cottages have been part of the English ideal since the late nineteenth-century, when the Industrial Revolution sparked a longing on the part of city-dwellers for the rural life. It’s amazing to think that, up until that time, they were more a symbol of poverty and a cramped, harsh, rustic existence – far from desirable if one had the money for anything grander. How times have changed, as all their disadvantages have now become part of their charm – just think of the cottage from The Holiday and Cameron Diaz looking fetching in a tiny bathtub. Now we can’t get enough of the look; think overstuffed living rooms, wooden kitchens, flagstone floors and metal bedsteads.

The style isn’t restricted to cottages themselves though, anyone can bring a touch of this traditional design into their home, whether you’re nestled deep in the English countryside or not. Scroll down for our favourite examples of ultra-cosy cottage-style interiors, and prepare to get comfortable.

How to get the look of a classic English country cottage