English Country Cottage Bedroom Tour
It may have taken months of planning, but it was all worth it! Transforming our master bedroom into a room that embodies the timelessness of an English country cottage was no small feat, but I adore how it turned out and I’m so excited to share our renovation process with you here. Inspired by the charm and warmth of countryside living, we focused on creating a space that feels cosy, relaxing and colourful.
The plan
Like much of the house, this room had been painted another creamy beige colour. Although lovely, I wanted to add something with a bit of character that was more Alex and I. Our goal was to craft a bedroom that serves as a peaceful sanctuary—a place where we can unwind and relax. Drawing inspiration from classic English country interiors, we aimed to blend traditional elements with modern comfort.
The first task was sanding the coving, skirting, and doors. Sanding those tiny corners was tricky, but taking the time to prep the surfaces properly makes a huge difference. A thorough prep is key for a flawless finish, even if it’s tedious work.
Wallpaper & paint
I wanted this room to make a statement, and one that made me happy. It is a beautifully sunny south facing bedroom and we chose a gorgeous Sanderson wallpaper called Clementine Deft Blue.
We painted the skirting and doors Lulworth Blue (No. 89) by Farrow & Ball. Some of the other colour options we didn’t end up picking were:
With the painting nearly finished, the next big step was wallpapering. I must admit, I was a bit nervous about this stage—it’s a detailed process, and we debated whether to use lining paper to make things smoother. We didn’t use it in the end and the end result was great.
Soft furnishings
Fabrics play a huge role in softening the look and making the room feel lived-in. We kept the soft furnishings neutral, with a focus on comfort and cosiness over anything too polished or modern.
The headboard is from Silent Night and is in the colour Dove and the bedding on the bed is from Linen Cupboard. Because the wallpaper is so bright and colourful we wanted to complement it with more neutral tones for the bedding and soft furnishings. This resulted in a lovely calm, light and peaceful feeling room despite the bold wallpaper choice.
The bedside table lampshade (and lamps) are from Dunelm and are an absolute steal at only £35 each.
For the curtains we wanted to go neutral again so emphasis the rest of the more bold choices around the room. These were custom made by Truro Fabric using super soft cream fabric.
Furniture
Furnishing the room with vintage pieces added character and history to the space. We sourced a mix of antique and secondhand furniture, including a vintage bedside tables and chest of drawers. Each piece tells a story and contributes to the room’s uniqueness.
The room is a nice size but we chose to have a super king Silent Night bed in there which is why we’ve kept other furniture to a bare minimum. There are two antique pine bedside tables that I picked up from Ebay. When I first bought them I thought they may be a little too orange toned but they’ve actually become more muted since I bought them over a year ago now.
The only other piece of furniture I have is a large antique pine chest of drawers on Facebook Marketplace which is the same as the one we have in our spare bedroom. I think they’re just timeless and the colour is so warm.
Decorations
To further connect the room with nature and match the feel of the wallpaper and prints, we incorporated indoor plants into the décor. I love indoor plants and chose potted geraniums in ages terracotta pots, the greenery adds life and freshness to the room. I got ours from Trevena Cross in Cornwall. I also chose an ivy plant after having such success growing one in our office.
I added a number of antique prints to the room including the pair of vintage bird prints which I sourced from an antique shop in Penzance
Then we have a beautiful pearl laced floral chandelier from Wayfair which is a great place to find lighting at more affordable choices.
Next steps
Looking back on the journey, we’re thrilled with how our bedroom has evolved. What was once a blank canvas is now a cosy retreat that reflects our personal style and love for English country aesthetics. The transformation has not only enhanced the functionality of the space but also created an environment that nurtures relaxation and well-being.
Although the room is mainly finished there are a new additional details I want to add to the room, and the house in general. I want to start adding some newer more modern style wall art alongside our existing vintage prints and paintings. I think this will create a really nice eclectic mix of styles that are special to my husband and I.
In addition, I want to finally get round to printing off some of our favourite photographs and get them framed and mounted to add to our bedroom and other parts of the house.
Remember, creating a space that feels like home is a personal journey—take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy the process.
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