Cottages
June 25, 2020
15 Creative Cottage Projects You Can Do This Weekend
Senior design editor Jennifer Koper shares her favorite easy updates.
The cottage is all about enjoying time with family and friends, taking in the beautiful scenery and warm weather, and enjoying summer activities. I love spending time at the cottage, and I’m always looking for simple projects that I can do myself to update the place. Here are some ideas that you can try at your special sanctuary, whether it’s at home or at the cottage.
Reupholster Your Cushions
It’s time to ditch old matching seat and back cushions on outdoor or rattan furniture! Have just the seat cushions reupholstered in new fabric. You can do this on an upholstered sofa as well, but it looks so perfect on a rattan settee. Designer Joel Bray reupholstered this rattan loveseat and added a few toss pillows for ample comfort.
Rethink Where You Hang Your Art
Put up a narrow picture ledge in an unexpected place for a beautiful decorating moment. Using a picture ledge next to a standalone tub in the bathroom allows for easy shuffling and adding when new treasures are found.
Slipcover Your Sofa
This is one of my favorites because it’s so easy. I love the look of a white cotton canvas or unbleached linen sofa at the cottage, but no one wants to be worried about making a mess on the light-colored sofa, so make cleaning up a breeze by getting one made in a washable fabric.
Add Open Shelving
If you have some empty wall space in the kitchen area, putting up open shelves to display colorful dishes or decorative accessories is more than just a design move. Even a couple of small shelves can hold quite a lot, and when the contents are also good looking, your project is now doing double duty.
Get Crafty
Instead of using paint to transform a piece of furniture, try fabric! Design editors Kai Ethier and Lauren Briggs-Lawrance used a beautiful fabric and Mod Podge to add a pop of pattern to this chest of drawers.
Whitewash Old Wood Panelling
I just did this at the cottage, and although I was hesitant, I’m so glad I did it! You can choose the level of whitewash you want to apply, so it suits how much wood you’d like to see through the wash. If you’re using paint and water, use more water for a more translucent and subtle application, and use less water and more paint for a more solid wash of color. Try test patches on extra lumber or inconspicuous places to get just the right look.
Master The Mix
Bring in some new modern art and use it in conjunction with your timeworn antique furniture. This tension of new and old will make your existing cottage furniture feel fresh again.
Create A Storied Vignette
Use a skinny sofa table behind your couch for a place to set up a pretty display. The bonus of having the table hidden behind the sofa is that you can DIY a very basic one and still have a lovely surface for a lamp, knick knacks and finds from nature.
Invest In A Statement Rug
This huge patterned rug is a showstopper. Don’t underestimate the power of one bold piece! Bringing in a large rug might be an investment, but it’s an easy way to breathe new life into a cottage.
Display A Collection For Major Impact
Small pieces in numbers can make a big statement. Here, the artwork is arranged in a neat tight row and reads as the strongest element in the room. Start a collection or see how you could display what you already have differently, in one stylish grouping.
Try A Plug-In Sconce
Are you wishing for more light, but don’t have space for a typical floor or table lamp? Add interest and light with a sconce that you don’t need to call an electrician for. I’m a big fan of the plug-in sconce in general, and especially at the cottage!
Bring In Woven Texture
Use straw hats as a decorative wall feature. You can hang them directly onto a nail, or go more polished with an expandable coat rack or pretty coat hooks, so if someone wants to borrow a hat or two, the hooks left empty will still look good.
Update What’s Underfoot
A major way to add brightness, color and pattern to your cottage is painting your floor. It’s the perfect project if your floor is in rough shape and a paintable material like wood. It’s not one of the easiest updates, but it packs a lot of punch for the effort!
Look To Nature
Go for a hike and see what you find along the way! Forage for a pretty vignette with rocks, branches, flowers and other natural treasures.
Paint Your Front Door
Make a memorable first impression with a fresh coat of paint. Try a sunny yellow hue (like Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow), which gives your entryway a lively and inviting feel.