Summer Cottage Bedroom Ideas: Light, Cozy & Timeless Decorating Tips
Introduction: Welcoming the Summer Season
I’ve long identified summer as my season. The moment the weather heats up I find myself opening the windows a few more notches, opening the blinds wider, letting the sunshine pour in, and wishing to create a light, airy, and comforting milieu. Winter consists of chunky knits, inviting textures, and resting by the fireplace, and summer brings that look to a whisk-away and this isn’t to mean straw and hemp–it’s a lighter, more airy, and yet equally cozy feel.
Summer coziness does not require layering dense fabric on. It’s a matter of introducing soft colors, lighter materials, and natural textures that appeal you to rest. Everything is ingoing in one direction; when we say cozy or coziness in the summertime we always imagine fabric, we think wool, not linen, we think heavy drapery when we can have light airy, natural application, we think dark hues when we’d like a sun washed easy palette
For the purpose of this tour, I would like to share my summer cottage bedroom with the doors open. I am excited for it to change in a few ways as it embodies my appreciation of changing seasons. This space is going to have some big moments over the next few months, yet before that arrives, I’m going to share how I’ve styled it in a summer variety– some tips along the way on how to create the perfect summer cottage bedroom.
Tips for the Perfect Summer Cottage Bedroom
Bring in Florals and Greens
There’s nothing quite like summer blooms and greenery. One of the beautiful aspects of cottage decor is that it can be flawed and casual—the most charming or delightful details are often the most spontaneous and unassuming! I often like to arrange dried hydrangeas or faux greens in my woven baskets, straw bags or tucking them into little spots that otherwise wouldn’t be decorated.
For instance, I have a bunch of dried hydrangeas I placed at the foot of the bed and it enlivened the space. The trick with decorating with greens is repeating elements and mirroring greens throughout the space so your eye travels from one vignette to another, allowing your space to flow and feel cohesive.
Keep Things Light and Fresh
When it comes to Summer decor, lightness in color and texture is where it thrives. And really the easiest way to invite a light and breezy cottage-like feel is just to exchange heavy fabrics for lighter ones.
- Replace the knit throws with cotton or linen.
- Replace the pillow covers with breathable materials in pale neutral colors.
- Add cozy textures sparingly (a faux fur rug draped over your headboard as an example adds some interest without being heavy).
Of course I keep quilts and blankets close by because frankly, sometimes summer nights can be a tad chilly. But harmony and that feeling of lightness – it is about creating comfort, not clutter.
Add Small Collections
Throughout history, defining ‘cottage style’ has been associated with using collections to impart nurdling charm. Whether a small stack of vintage books, a few vintage brass candlesticks atop the dresser, or a gallery wall of love, collections create character.
The trick is to use small collections, or intentional items. For example, maybe you throw a vintage frame on your nightstand, a grouping of candlesticks on dresser, or a collection of few pieces of crockery in curio. These intentional and thoughtful touches add warmth that is casual without feeling cluttered. At best, cottagecore celebrates these collections while telling a story.
Add Vintage Pieces
It’s essential to bring a sense of history to all cottage bedrooms. Vintage items all have stories attached to them, and they help add some character to an overall space. For example, in my bedroom, I included milk glass, a wood and brass lamp, and a vintage wall clock.Even better, it can be done inexpensively.
Thrift stores, antique fairs, or even some family hand-me-downs can go along way in adding cottage soul to your room!
Layer, Layer, Layer
Even in summer, don’t be afraid of layering.Layers are what distinguishes a thoughtfully styled bedroom from one that looks flat. I have layers upon layers of pillows stacked on my bed, and I also have some light-weight blankets at the foot of the bed. I layered the frames on my curio shelf to also add depth to the room.
This technique works beyond bedding. Think about layering mirrors with wall art, or adding a textured rug over a sisal one. Each layer adds depth and gives your eye something new to discover.
Bring Texture to Your Walls
If you’ve ever been in a cottage and taken notice, you’ll likely recall that walls are rarely flat. Textures added by wainscoting, beadboard, paneling or wallpaper, create a structural coziness that flat walls can’t echo.
In my bedroom, I have used 3 different textures among 4 walls, and it’s a subtle but powerful effect! You don’t have to go for a whole room–an accent wall would do a great job. The only thing you need to worry about is keeping it cohesive with the rest of the room!
Add Textures Throughout the Room
When layering bedding and walls are covered in the summer cozy mood, textures are very important. The layering of various textures helps achieve that layered cozy summer vibe. Natural textures like the jute rug and woven baskets provide warmth, and the wood accents and stacks of books provide a natural earthy balance.
Once you add soft textures; a tufted floor cushion or quilt at the foot of the bed you have your last few pieces. This type of tactile diversity creates a perfect balance of markings of comfort but also interest.
Add a Little Surprise
Every room should have one element of surprise. In this bedroom, I have something new in progress. I am excited to share it with you: a surprise can be large pattern in a neutral room, unexpected pop of color or a fun shape of furniture that inspires conversation.
The goal is to reflect you in the space; a space that tells a story and is visually pleasing.
Conclusion: Your Summer Cottage Retreat
Thank you for stopping and taking this small tour of my summer cottage bedroom! I hope I have inspired you to refresh your bedroom for the summer—whether that is layering linens of texture and weight, adding florals, or finding something fabulously old and vintage!
If you want even more inspiration, be sure to check out StoneGable to see Yvonne’s representation of summer style or bounce around the full blown tour schedule that is happening each day this week. There are so many beautiful representations to get your gears turning!
Summer is a time of lightness, heat, and happiness—and with a few simple tweaks your bedroom can be a sanctuary celebrating all of that and more.
