One need not consider remodelling their residence in a manner replicating a 14th-century cottage (exposed timbers, stuttering chimney) to inject a sense of the countryside into their home. Whilst undoubtedly, grander remodels can prove transformative, the need to bring a hint of rugged rural charm or manorhouse grandeur into a living space may not necessarily involve such drastic measures.
In our current time of minimalist interiors and uncluttered living spaces, less, does quite often equates to more. Thanks to the design of many modern living rooms, either a few simple or occasionally bold choices are all that is needed to make the most of the space at hand, and uplift it to befit a more rural aesthetic. The following suggestions are among the top trends to replicate a country living room in any urban environment.
Create an Interior Illusion with Reclaimed Wood and Timber
The bones of many country living room aesthetics are often the same. Exposed beams, original floorboards and fireplaces are not just structural details, but a chance to tell a story. In converted farmhouses or barn renovations, retaining existing beams is a rite of passage, but in a more modern residence, adding them injects immeasurable character. Structurally, they may contribute nothing, but adding claimed oak lintels above fireplaces or engineered wood floors finished in a brushed oil to mimic centuries-old wear, are relatively straightforward steps to transforming your living room aesthetic to hold unbridled countryside appeal.
Where possible, opt for irregular or imperfect finishes as these lend a sense of authenticity that belies a countryside origin. Cracks, splits and knots in the wood add to the narrative, giving more weight to its supposed provenance, although too much may make it look like it came from a salvage yard and break the illusion. Vertical tongue-and-groove or horizontal plank panelling has long been a hallmark of the English country look. Often painted in muted chalk-based tones such as Farrow & Ball’s ‘Light Blue’ or Edward Bulmer’s ‘Drab Green’, the effect lends a quiet sense of sophistication and formal purpose to sitting rooms that might otherwise feel sparse and lacking in function.
To that end, opting for built-in cabinets and cupboards around the room, be it by an armchair or window, mimics the feel of older homes where exposed shelving was a strict no-no, and didn't beguile a refined setting. Hand-painted cupboards with Shaker-style doors and antique brass latches, hinges and knockers will work beautifully to create a time capsule-like space that maximises a smattering of period furnishings to transform a living room into something far grander.
Adding Elements that Inject an Air of Unmistakable Grandeur
Country style thrives on upholstery that feels lived-in. British-made roll arm sofas with turned legs on castors and scatter cushions are a staple, ideally upholstered in brushed cottons or faded florals that nod to 19th-century drawing rooms, adding an air of culture. Drape cashmere throws across the back of a chair, stack kilim cushions with floral chintz and contrast herringbone with faded velvet to create a real sense of space. Far from appearing cluttered or tacky, a mismatched pair of chairs or a frayed lampshade adds a bit of much needed soul and character to any space.
No true country living room is complete without an assortment of antique or vintage pieces that suggest a life well lived in a suitably well-kept home. Whether that is an old steamer trunk repurposed as a coffee table, a 19th-century cabinet to fill out a corner or a spindle-leg side table that draws the eye from across the room, a well-placed antique always adds a touch of rustic to any space. Gilded mirrors can illuminate even the darkest corners, while vintage oil paintings cement the rural narrative effortlessly, with carefully selected pieces that match the aesthetic.
A mix of ceramic jugs and mismatched candleholders along mantels will do well to complement the look with items that look like they were produced centuries ago, yet still serve a practical purpose. But what country living room is complete without a fireplace? Whether it's a woodburning stove, open hearth or even an Arga, the goal is to find a fitting yet functional source for heat that is the centrepiece of the room. Stacked logs, wrought iron pokers, vintage coal buckets and leather bellows lend further authenticity to the space. All that’s needed to complete it is a pair of Howard armchairs on either side of the hearth to weather long winter evenings spent basking in the warm glow of the embers, and reflect that countryside elegance.
Let Nature Decorate
Unlike more modern living, countryside aesthetics are much more closely tied to the changing seasons. Bringing the outside in is one of the most enduring country design principles that one can use to furnish their living space with. A stone jug of picked hedgerow flowers, a bundle of dried lavender on the hearth or a basket of pinecones by the fire immediately grounds the space in the sights and smells of the British countryside.
Collections of feathers, foraged branches or pressed flowers make for great accessories to bring character to the space, rotating displays with the seasons to capture the mood. Framed botanical prints from antique books make for wonderful wall décor in the place of oil paintings and canvas, while dried hops or eucalyptus garlands are excellent seasonal additions that bring the fresh smell of the outdoors, indoors. Even an old pair of Wellington boots caked in mud and smelling of musk tells a story of a life well lived, taking part in pursuits one only finds in the great British countryside.
