Decorating
Ask a Designer: How Do I Maximise Space and Light in a Small Cottage?
Country cottages can be a lot smaller and less well-lit that other homes. Make sure they maximise their full potential with these ideas
Are you dealing with low ceilings, awkward spaces and small windows? Do you have beams, redundant chimney breasts and wonky walls? The attractive and quirky nature of cottages make them wonderful homes, but they can be really difficult to decorate. Here are some ideas to make your cottage a welcoming place to come home to.
Follow the wood
Wood is very on trend at the minute, and is a very versatile material. In this room, the rough texture of the wood contrasts with the white painted boards on the walls and ceiling. The gaps between the floorboards add a strong visual stripe. Notice how the lines of the wood all flow in the same direction; it tricks the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it is. The fact that this room has little furniture in it also opens up the sight lines, making it appear larger.
Wood is very on trend at the minute, and is a very versatile material. In this room, the rough texture of the wood contrasts with the white painted boards on the walls and ceiling. The gaps between the floorboards add a strong visual stripe. Notice how the lines of the wood all flow in the same direction; it tricks the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it is. The fact that this room has little furniture in it also opens up the sight lines, making it appear larger.
Frame it
When the walls of a room don’t meet the ceiling in the same place, the architecture can look a little awkward. It can be a real decorating nightmare, especially if you want to add colour and pattern. There are many ways of dealing with the problem. Whether you paint the beams or leave them in their natural form, think of them like a frame for your walls and ceiling. Painting them to match the walls in a single colour, such as white, will draw attention away from the beams and they’ll form a subtle frame, where as opting to keep them distinct will draw the eye towards them and help them to stand out.
Get designer advice for decorating around a pitched ceiling
When the walls of a room don’t meet the ceiling in the same place, the architecture can look a little awkward. It can be a real decorating nightmare, especially if you want to add colour and pattern. There are many ways of dealing with the problem. Whether you paint the beams or leave them in their natural form, think of them like a frame for your walls and ceiling. Painting them to match the walls in a single colour, such as white, will draw attention away from the beams and they’ll form a subtle frame, where as opting to keep them distinct will draw the eye towards them and help them to stand out.
Get designer advice for decorating around a pitched ceiling
Accept alcoves
Have you ever seen a cottage without any alcoves? They are such a useful feature, it’s a shame not to make the most of them. Open shelves are highly functional. In this room, the salvaged wood is particularly attractive against the juxtaposition of white with industrial grey. The more neutral hues tone down the array of colourful books on the shelf nicely.
See how to gently bring a cottage into the 21st century
Have you ever seen a cottage without any alcoves? They are such a useful feature, it’s a shame not to make the most of them. Open shelves are highly functional. In this room, the salvaged wood is particularly attractive against the juxtaposition of white with industrial grey. The more neutral hues tone down the array of colourful books on the shelf nicely.
See how to gently bring a cottage into the 21st century
Open it up
The trend towards more open-plan living is increasing year after year. Closed-off small rooms can feel a little cramped, but removing walls will help to open up the space and allow light to connect the entire area. You can still define your areas, for example in this kitchen the breakfast bar helps to keep it separate from the rest of the room. A physical barrier also helps to keep the preparation area safer and separate from any small children.
The trend towards more open-plan living is increasing year after year. Closed-off small rooms can feel a little cramped, but removing walls will help to open up the space and allow light to connect the entire area. You can still define your areas, for example in this kitchen the breakfast bar helps to keep it separate from the rest of the room. A physical barrier also helps to keep the preparation area safer and separate from any small children.
Go for an unconventional kitchen
When space for a kitchen is extremely limited you’ll need to get creative. A kitchen doesn’t need to occupy a huge amount of space, or come in any particular shape, size or configuration. If space is tight consider rounded edges to prevent any accidents, and keep an open mind as to whether you even want to have a clearly demarcated kitchen area. The amount of time you spend cooking should help you to figure out how big or small your cooking area should be.
When space for a kitchen is extremely limited you’ll need to get creative. A kitchen doesn’t need to occupy a huge amount of space, or come in any particular shape, size or configuration. If space is tight consider rounded edges to prevent any accidents, and keep an open mind as to whether you even want to have a clearly demarcated kitchen area. The amount of time you spend cooking should help you to figure out how big or small your cooking area should be.
Add an extra floor
It’s rare to find good headroom in a cottage attic; low pitched roofs often offer little more than a bit of storage in the eaves. If you have enough space, and have the budget for it, you can open it up and bring light it, creating an additional space that will add value to your home and increase the pleasure of living in a small cottage. A mezzanine floor, that accommodates a reading nook or spare bunk, could be well worth the investment. Ensure the roof is well insulated, that there is good lighting, and that access is safe and easy.
It’s rare to find good headroom in a cottage attic; low pitched roofs often offer little more than a bit of storage in the eaves. If you have enough space, and have the budget for it, you can open it up and bring light it, creating an additional space that will add value to your home and increase the pleasure of living in a small cottage. A mezzanine floor, that accommodates a reading nook or spare bunk, could be well worth the investment. Ensure the roof is well insulated, that there is good lighting, and that access is safe and easy.
Create a study nook
With so many people working from home, a quiet area to sit and concentrate at home is becoming more and more of a necessity. This can prove problematic if your cottage lacks a spare room. But it’s possible to carve out a quiet area in even the smallest amount of space. If you have a comfortable chair and the appropriate power sockets, then you’re half way there. Go for an occasional solution with a drop down leaf that hinges to the wall, or build in a more permanent fixture. Consider putting your desk at standing height - it’s a very healthy alternative to sitting!
With so many people working from home, a quiet area to sit and concentrate at home is becoming more and more of a necessity. This can prove problematic if your cottage lacks a spare room. But it’s possible to carve out a quiet area in even the smallest amount of space. If you have a comfortable chair and the appropriate power sockets, then you’re half way there. Go for an occasional solution with a drop down leaf that hinges to the wall, or build in a more permanent fixture. Consider putting your desk at standing height - it’s a very healthy alternative to sitting!
Go minimal in the bathroom
Some cottage bathrooms can be larger than average because they’re installed in a former bedroom, but many will be very pressed for space. Period appliances can often be large and heavy, and might not let you make the most of the space. Baths are often much less practical than showers from a space and efficiency point of view. Use glass screens in combination with a slimline shower to keep lines clean and the aesthetic lightweight. Having a glass shower screen means the shower can be placed pretty much anywhere in the room.
Some cottage bathrooms can be larger than average because they’re installed in a former bedroom, but many will be very pressed for space. Period appliances can often be large and heavy, and might not let you make the most of the space. Baths are often much less practical than showers from a space and efficiency point of view. Use glass screens in combination with a slimline shower to keep lines clean and the aesthetic lightweight. Having a glass shower screen means the shower can be placed pretty much anywhere in the room.
Connecting spaces
Most cottages have a garden, even if it is postage-stamp sized. Making a connection between the inside and out is an effective way to connect the spaces and open out a room. Consider floor to ceiling windows and doors, or bring in one or two of the garden tones to incorporate its essence inside.
TELL US…
Do you live in a cottage? How have you made the most of the space? We would love to see photos in the Comments below.
Most cottages have a garden, even if it is postage-stamp sized. Making a connection between the inside and out is an effective way to connect the spaces and open out a room. Consider floor to ceiling windows and doors, or bring in one or two of the garden tones to incorporate its essence inside.
TELL US…
Do you live in a cottage? How have you made the most of the space? We would love to see photos in the Comments below.
Small windows are a common feature in cottages, and in the UK we like to benefit from as much daylight as possible. A good trick to maximise daylight is to place a large mirror opposite a window to reflect light and bounce it back into the room. And, if you have the space, placing another mirror opposite the bigger one will bounce the light back again! If you don’t have the wall space for mirrors, look at the window reveals (the part of the window that frames the glass). These, along with the window sill, can be mirrored and are a very clever way of making the windows appear much bigger, as well as bringing more light into the room.