English Country Home Décor

English Country décor can be either relaxed or formal, but always creates a cozy and inviting air.

It’s very similar to French Country style, except that colors are generally more muted, florals and laces more popular, and lines tend to be straighter in English Country.

Rooms in English Country style are clearly designed to be used: places where families gather to chat, eat, or relax.

English Country décor works particularly well in cozy spaces like Bungalows or larger homes with relatively small rooms like Victorians.

This decorating style works best with nature inspired colors, which are usually in pastel hues or muted tones.

Delicate patterns, particularly those found in florals and laces, are good choices.

Most fabrics used in English Country style have some kind of embellishment, such as flounces, ruffles, or ribbon trim.

To keep rooms from looking too overdone and fussy, consider painting and distressing furniture to give it a more casual and lived in appearance.

English Country Décor Walls and Floors

• Hardwood floors are ideal for English Country décor
• Warm up the floors with Victorian style floral print rugs
• Leave beams on ceilings exposed and unpainted
• Patterned wallpaper is a popular choice, although it’s best not to use it on all of the walls to keep rooms from becoming too busy
• Cabinetry and trim are usually painted white to allow walls and other decorative features to pop

English Country Décor Furnishings

• Common materials:
  • Wood
  • Wicker
  • Painted metal
• Wood furniture in traditional Queen Anne or Victorian styles is most commonly used
• Furnishings generally have straight lines in comparison to the curved lines used in French Country
• However, don’t rule out using metal café style table for a breakfast nook or a white painted wicker set for a sunroom or living area
• Cluster furniture in small groups to encourage family and guests to gather
• Brass hardware in a traditional style is usually used

English Country Décor Accessories

• Wall decoration ideas:
  • Frame intricate doilies and group in a wall display
  • Enlarge a family photo in black and white and hang in an ornate frame
  • String dried flowers along a wall or over a door
  • Hang a collection of old hats by their ribbons
  • String wreaths on ribbons and hang in windows as a casual country window treatment
  • Botanical paintings are commonly used
• Table and counter decoration ideas:
  • Display an antique or reproduction tea set
  • Make a centerpiece with fresh fruit arranged on an attractive cake stand
  • Arrange sets of canisters or milk vases in odd numbers on counters or shelves
  • Place crystal vases filled with fresh flowers in unexpected places
  • Stack books in irregular piles and use them to elevate smaller display pieces
• Lighting ideas:
  • Lighting should enhance the feeling of coziness
  • Try oil lamps – either vintage or modernized electric versions
  • Victorian style painted glass fixtures work particularly well