Create a Sweet Retreat with Cottage Bedding

Walk into any bed and breakfast suite and the first thing you will notice is the bed. It’s not just the bed or the other cottage style furniture that captures your attention. It’s the cottage bedding –layers of dainty floral linens peeking out from under a thick, inviting comforter. And let’s not forget the flirty bedskirt and piles of mismatched pillows.

Cottage bedding speaks of romantic comfort and charm, but you don’t have to spend a weekend at a bed and breakfast to enjoy this nostalgic mood. Creating your own romantic cottage style bedroom is as easy... if you know the secrets.

Cottage style decor is not just one style of decorating. If anything, it’s a decorating style without rules. It can range from the chic to the very nostalgic. And with the variety of bed linens available it won’t be hard to get the cottage look you want. Here’s some ideas to get you going:

Want a cottage chic room, then keep your cottage bedding in monotones, like white, ivory or cream. Forget fussy and stick to simple, clean lines.

If you're looking for a cozy cottage feel, then add lots of layers of bedding in solids, pretty floral prints and even plaids or checks. And add a ruffled pillow or two or three.

Cottage decor is also about the whimsical and playful, so looks for the fun and surprises like a rustic cottage look with bears or moose.

Create a nostalgic look with vintage bedding—or at least new bedding that has a vintage feel. Colors should be toned down with a gentle, time-worn appearance.

Cottage decorating isn’t only about light or pastel colors. Get spirited and colorful from the blues and turquoise of a coastal cottage to the red and greens of vintage rose bed fashions.

The bedroom is your most private space, so indulge yourself. Start with the cottage bedding or your choice and then add the extras transform an ordinary bedroom into a cottage retreat.

One sure way to get a cozy cottage feel to your cottage bedding with lots of layers. Also mix up the patterns. Use solids, floral patterns and even checks and plaids together. The secret to blending is keeping the same colors from one pattern to the next. Bedding pieces can be purchased separately or you can find a coordinated bedding ensemble. Here’s some ideas to get the most from layering your cottage bedding:

Sheets: The style is twice as nice with an extra top sheet. Try a dainty floral with a small check. Just make sure that fold down the sheets to it’s one can be seen.

Bedskirts: They can blend in to the background or kick up a little interest, depending upon the look you’re trying to achieve.

Comforters: They’re not just to keep you warm at night, they really are the stars of the show. Consider carefully the look you want because you can be living with it for a while. But if you find you want a change of scenery, duvet covers can save you lots of money.

Pillows: Add instant cottage charisma with pillows... lots of pillows. Mix up the patterns and shapes—floral patterns and be nicely paired with solids, plaids or checks. Pretty, posh pillows are the icing on cottage bedding.

Katherine Koch (aka Netlexis) is a freelance writer providing copywriting services online and offline. When she's not writing for clients, she enjoys creating hubs here at HubPages, as well as for her own sites and at Squidoo. If you enjoyed this hub, you might also like to read: Beautiful Turquoise Bedding or In the Pink Bedding. Also check out the Hubs below for more decorating ideas.

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