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Modern Cottage Style | How to Get the Look

Published February 05, 2024

Meet modern cottage style, 2024’s rendition of the farmhouse trend. Here, a designer takes you through five simple steps to get the look (along with some of the key elements defining it).

simplicity is keyView this Item
1. Simplicity Is Key
When we asked Courtney Marquez, Interior Designer, for the best way to get the vibe for a beginner, she emphasized a basic, minimalist and organic feel. According to the designer, you should “try incorporating natural materials like wood and stone, and using a neutral color palette with pops of bright or pastel colors to add some personality to the space.”

Art With a Modern Cottage Look

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32 Inch Wall Art-Bali
$245
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17X21 Inch Black & White Vintage Botanical Wall Art-Set Of 2
$150
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48 Inch White Wash Arch Wall Art
$215
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Assorted Love Sign
$27
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42X22 Sunday With Champagne Frame
$250
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40X40 White Floral With Gold Frame
$250
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22X26 Elegance With Bronze Frame
$195
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26X26 Head In The Florals II With Champagne Frame
$195
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60X40 Mission Bells
$250
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47X47 Floral Garden I
$475
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38X38 Floral Still Life II With Champagne Frame
$450
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24X24 White Paper Flowers In Acrylic Ii
$195
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2. Focus on Comfort
Another important aspect of modern cottage-style homes is a focus on comfort. Think plush sofas, soft throws and pillows, and plenty of natural light and fresh air. Marquez’s must-haves for the style include “a mix of textures, such as wool rugs, linen curtains, and leather furniture, to create a cozy yet contemporary atmosphere.”
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3. Blending Old and New Home Decor
One of the most interesting things about modern cottage house plans is their ability to blend old and new elements in new and surprising ways. According to Marquez, “one great way to go about this is to restore an antique piece of furniture. Take an heirloom rocking chair or farmhouse table, and pair it with more modern elements like an abstract painting or sleek pendant lamp.”

For a Blue Color Palette

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5'3"x7'6" Rug-Penelope Light Blue
$195
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9'5"x13'1" Rug-Penelope Light Blue
$695
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2'x3' Rug-Sonoma Banded Light Blue
$130
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5'x7'5" Rug-Sonoma Banded Light Blue
$695
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3'5"x5'5" Rug-Sonoma Banded Light Blue
$350
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10'2"x13'7" Rug-Light Blue Paisley Floral
$1,095
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7'2"x8'3" Rug-Sonoma Banded Light Blue
$1,195
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5'x7'5" Rug-Magnolia Home Crew Light Blue By Joanna Gaines
$379
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2'3"x3'7" Rug-Magnolia Home Crew Light Blue By Joanna Gaines
$99
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2'3"x7'5" Rug-Tabitha Light Blue
$149
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7'10"x10'2"Rug-Colbourn Machine Washable Light Blue/Tan
$350
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6'7"x9' Rug-Aleah Machine Washable Cream/Light Blue
$295
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4. Bring the Outdoors In
Cottage style interior design often capitalizes on nature and greenery. Marquez states, “I like to keep a shortlist of go-to accent statements, the ‘quick fixes’ that don’t require a lot of thinking or hassle but can refresh a space in an instant. For modern cottage, these are green and leafy houseplants, fresh flowers, and natural materials like wood and woven baskets.” Going off of Marquez’s favorite things, sheer curtains or raising the blinds for natural light fits right in.
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5. Focus on Natural Materials
As mentioned briefly above, modern cottage home design focuses more on natural materials like wood, stone, glass, and iron. The best materials for the look? According to Marquez, “furniture made of wood, wicker or rattan brings the most natural-feeling texture, and, like a butterfly effect, brings out natural colors within a space.”

Farmhouse Style Living Room Decor

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Wall Decor Distressed Rusted Farmhouse Decor
$139
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White And Iron Farmhouse Milk Can Decor Set Of 2
$59
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9" Black Metal + Brown Globe Decor
$15
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36X12 Grey + White Wood Laurel Branches Wall Panel Decor
$79
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White 30 Inch Wood Mirror Decor
$105
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15X35 Black Gold Gingko Leaves Metal Wall Sculpture Decor Set Of 3
$139
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Silver 17 Inch Aluminum Wood Utensil Decor
$37
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12X36 Inch Brown Wood Wall Decor
$125
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Framed Live Edge Teak Wood Wall Decor-Set Of 4
$189
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24X24 Black Iron Wall Decor
$47
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26X12 Coffee Wall Decor
$35
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Gold 36 Inch Metal Sun Moon Wall Decor
$67
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How Will You Do Modern Cottage?

The approach to take, based on which traits of the style you want to emphasize.

More Modern
More Modern

You like that the style is trending, and want to be able to create an aesthetic that fits in with 2024 just as much as it does classic cottage. You want the newer elements of the style, with vintage bits and pieces thrown in.

Modern Decorative Touches >
More Cottage
More Cottage

Nothing makes you happier than a black-and-white film featuring a horse-and-carriage in a town square. You’re an older soul and prefer stylistic elements that bring out the vintage charm of modern cottage.

Cottage Decorative Touches >
Balanced
Balanced

You realize it’s called ‘modern cottage’ for a reason. Both the modern and the cottage elements are equally as important, and you want a room that feels just right in bringing out that harmony.

Modern Cottage Decorative Touches >

What Is Modern Cottage Style?

Modern cottage style is an interior design aesthetic that blends sleek designs with vintage charm. It’s light, airy and bright, with modern appliances and finishings. An old-meets-new look, if you’re living in the country.

How Do You Make a Cottage Look Contemporary?

You can make a cottage look contemporary by focusing on modern appliances and details. It’s not in the furniture and decor — save those for vintage finds — but in crown molding, wall finishes, kitchen countertops and built-in shelving. Most importantly, focus on minimalism, as less is always more!

What Is the Difference Between Cottagecore and Modern Farmhouse?
Modern farmhouse takes on a more traditional version of interior design: think your mom’s or grandmother’s. Cottagecore looks, well, a tad more whimsical. It’s nostalgic for a bit of youthfulness, seeking out quirky mushrooms, fairies and other forest-critter iconography. This is unlike modern farmhouse which is more conservative in its blending of modern decorations and classic shapes and furniture.

What Makes a Home Look Like a Cottage? 

A home looks like a cottage when it combines floral patterns, white-washed or white distressed wood furniture, lots of natural light and flowy, breezy linens and drapes. It’s a combination of “pretty” and “breezy”, with lots of flowers thrown in! Cottage aesthetics don’t take themselves too seriously or look for perfection; it’s all about the authenticity.

Modern Design Accent Chairs

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Modern Wing Back Accent Chair
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Modern Graphite Black Leather Accent Chair
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Modern Outdoor 26" Yellow Cabana Stripe Accent Chair
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Modern Outdoor 28" Grey + Black Armless Accent Chair
$650
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Modern Outdoor 30" Natural Boheme Accent Chair
$750
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Modern Outdoor 24" Woven Grid Accent Chair
$495
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Twirl Blue Velvet 37" Swivel Barrel Accent Chair
$695
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Brooke 32" II Accent Chair
$595
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Everett Ollie Boucle 30" Accent Chair
$895
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Delano Pearl 32" Velvet Swivel Accent Chair
$795
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Billie White Boucle 35" Swivel Barrel Accent Chair
$795
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Revolve II 34" Swivel Accent Chair
$895
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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.