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What’s the first word that pops up in your head when you think of the word “Cottage?” When we asked our interior designer in Kanata, Zeina Badawi, the words she used were “warmth, coziness, and rustic.”
This kind of wording may line up with some, but to others, a cottage could mean other things. It could be a getaway from the bustling city; it could be a place to be one with nature; or it could be a place where you call home!
Cottages in Ontario are sprawled across the province, and lots of people either own and enjoy the space themselves or rent it out to temporary guests. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to furnish your second home with cottage furniture, we’re here to help. Luckily for you, our interior designer, Zeina, has shared some tips and tricks on how to furnish a cottage.
At La-Z-Boy, we have a wide range of products from our furniture stores in Ottawa that can go well with a cottagecore vibe. This article will highlight some notable cottage furniture items, as well as 6 tips and tricks from Zeina.
In This Article…
- What will the Cottage Be Used For?
- Pay Attention to Colours & Materials
- What Furniture Pieces Go Well In a Cottage?
- Consider Stain Resistant Furniture
- Add Personal Touches to Your Space
- Try Out an Open Concept Cottage
- La-Z-Boy Cottage Furniture Examples
1. What Will the Cottage Be Used For?
One of the main questions you should be asking yourself when furnishing a cottage is what will the cottage be used for. As mentioned before, everyone has their own way of using this kind of space. Sometimes it is a temporary residence, but other times it is a full-time home.
The age groups also matter in this scenario. Different ages may use their cottage differently. For example, if you’re older, you might use this space a little bit more as a full-time space. “You might want to invest more in the coziness aspect and zen out,” Zeina says.
But, if you’re someone who has a family with children, you might use this space on and off and come during the summer for entertainment purposes.
Once you figure out what the space will be used for, and how many people will frequent the space, creating furniture arrangements will become easier for you.
2. Pay Attention to Colours and Materials
The type of furniture will depend on the style you’re trying to achieve, according to Zeina. Since there are many styles that people can use when furnishing a cottage, what are some of the more common ones?
Well, Some popular choices are traditional and rustic furniture styles. These can go hand-in-hand with creating a cozy space while surrounded by natural elements, making you feel closer to the outdoors.
Most recently, people have begun to favour warmer tones instead of the more common cooler tones in a cottage. Cooler tones were normally favoured because stone cottages were popular for a little while. But, warm colours like orange and red help reflect colours associated with summer, since this is when people normally use their cottages.
Earthy tones like soft muted greens, blues, warm yellows and natural browns also create a soothing and harmonious cottage colour palette.
Zeina also says materials like jute rugs, wooden furniture and metal have become a cottage staple. “Distressed wood brings in that authentic look,” she adds.
However, she does warn cottage owners to avoid using shiny or reflective materials, as these are not very favourable in these spaces, due to the more exposed sunlight cottages are known to have.
3. What Furniture Pieces Go Well In a Cottage?
Aside from small decor accessories and tones, there are many furniture pieces you can use to furnish a cottage.
According to Zeina, sectionals and lounging seats are very popular nowadays. This helps create the cozy feeling she was referring to before.
To create a little bit more character in your furniture, consider purchasing furniture with distressed wood or anything that has a traditional style to it. This can include dining room furniture with ornate detailing or sofas with rolled arms.
If you’re trying to furnish a waterfront cottage, swivel chairs can be a great choice for switching from one great view to another.
Some cottages may have what’s called a sunroom. Learn How to Furnish a Sunroom with this article.
4. Consider Stain Resistant Furniture
If you’re staying in a cottage, you’re most likely not staying indoors all the time. Most people invest in cottages because they want to enjoy the great outdoors, away from all the city commotion.
With that being said, if you’re going outside frequently, it is important to protect the furniture you’re using in your cottage. Zeina says that furniture with stain-resistant properties can help not only protect your furniture from unwanted substances but also help make it easier to clean your furniture, too.
“Who wants to worry about cleaning when you’re trying to enjoy yourself,” she says. At La-Z-Boy, we have stain-resistant furniture available, thanks to our innovative iClean fabrics.
Zeina also says that if you’re travelling in and out frequently, you’ll also want to invest in outdoor rugs that can help pick dirt or other outside elements off your footwear before entering your home.
5. Add Personal Touches to Your Space
As we’ve discussed, coziness is important to a space. One of the best ways to make yourself feel comfortable in a cottage or any other area you’re trying to furnish is not by just adding pillows and throws on a sofa. But also by adding personal touches that make your space truly yours.
Adding cozy character through personal touches like family photos, passed down chests or ornament nick-nacks are great examples of making things feel a little more homey.
Zeina says personalizing your cottage can be created by using something a family member made you, a decoration that represents your culture, or even a furniture piece that is considered a family heirloom.
“If you have sentimental value to an item or frame, putting it in your cottage home can make you feel more connected to the space than a space that has no memories attached to it,” she says.
6. Try Out an Open Concept Cottage
It isn’t unheard of that open-concept spaces are the main desire for people nowadays. However, this is arguably more important in a cottage layout.
Zeina says, “A cottage layout should prioritize an open and airy feel.” After all, people want to be as close to nature as possible, even if you’re indoors.
If you’re thinking about renovating your space, consider an open-concept layout that connects the living, dining and kitchen spaces, creating a sense of closeness in your cottage. This not only helps with balance and coziness but also allows more natural light inside to enhance the ambiance.
La-Z-Boy Cottage Furniture Examples
Lastly, now that you have all the tips and tricks to create a great cottage space, our interior designer from La-Z-Boy Hunt Club, Michelle MacLellan, has compiled a list of cottage furniture from our selections at La-Z-Boy.
1. Laurel Sofa
The stationary Laurel Sofa loves to welcome with an eclectic look. Button details gently rolled arms, and tapered wood legs add to its uniqueness.
The Laurel Sofa is part of the 2-seater sofa collection at La-Z-Boy. A 2-seater sofa is no different from a regular sofa other than it features two long seat cushions instead of three shorter seat cushions.
Michelle says the Laurel is a great example of a traditional yet cozy seating experience for a cottage home. “It may not be the largest sofa, but it is comfy,” she says.
You can learn more about the Laurel Furniture Family with this article.
2. Alani Sectional
Next on our list is the Alani. This clean-lined, casual sectional sofa looks at home in any space with our popular rolled arms, welt trim, and decorative wood legs for just enough detail. Premier cushions offer plenty of support, an array of modules that can be customized for your perfect configuration and a 20" accent pillow for added style.
Michelle says this is also a great example of a cozy furniture arrangement, because of the rolled arms and the deep cushions associated with this product. She also mentions the Alani could be more favourable than the Laurel if you’re trying to add more seating to a cottage space.
You can learn more about the Alani Sectional with this article.
3. Swivel Chairs
Swivel chairs are a great choice when it comes to furnishing a cottage space. Leaning into our open-concept ideas and creating a space that is one with nature, a swivel chair can help houseguests focus on more than one focal point instead of moving around to enjoy different parts of the cottage.
Michelle highlights the Ferndale and the Allegra as great choices, especially for their multiple fabric choices available at the same price.
4. Canadel Farmhouse Collection
Lastly, Michelle highlights not just living room furniture, but also our dining room selection from Canadel, specifically from the Farmhouse collection.
Michelle notes that this collection is the closest style that Canadel has to a cottagecore look. She also says that it has many variations within its custom furniture, including large expandable tables for guests, ornate wooden furniture legs, and full upholstered fabric chairs that can be used as seating in a living area as well.
To learn more about the Canadel Collection, take a look at this article.
What's Next?
Now that you have a better understanding of how to furnish a cottage, you’re ready to start shopping for cottage furniture! With that being said, why not shop at La-Z-Boy?
After seeing some examples, you can see that our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston have a lot to choose from. Visit us at a local Ottawa and Kingston La-Z-Boy location to view our selection in person and take a sit test. You can also schedule an appointment online.
Our sales consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. Additionally, consider taking advantage of our interior design services and working with an interior designer to see how our cottage furniture could fit in your sunroom design.
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