English Country Cottage Living Room

The plan

There’s something so special about creating a living room that feels like the heart of your home. In our house, the living room sat untouched for quite a while – it was a cold, lifeless space that never really spent much time in. I wanted a cosy English country cottage living room that would stand the test of time.

We redecorated this room in November 2021, and it was one of our first big projects to tackle after finishing our kitchen renovation. Our vision was to make this room feel as if it had always been this way. With antique furniture, mismatched prints, beautiful old books, and the centre piece, our wood burner fireplace.

As our home is a couple of hundred years old, and originally a farmhouse, we aimed to create a timeless and cosy feel in here. This is after all, the space where we finish our days, with our feet up, cuddled under a blanket in front of the fire. We want this room to be one that stands the test of time, and allows for small changes to be made as the house evolves.

After months of DIY, decision-making, and a few unexpected challenges along the way, the room has been transformed into a warm, character-filled space that we now love spending time in. From restoring the fireplace to layering prints and patterns, it has been one of our most rewarding projects yet.

Prep

We got started with the fireplace first, as this was the main structural change. We brought in Cornwall Stoves and straight had a look underneath the plaster to see if there was an existing granite lintel that we could expose.

The discovery was disappointing, as there was nothing but crumbling stones and bricks. James made the suggestion to use some of the granite from our patio outside, as he knew we were planning to renovate this space. Genius!

They got cutting and digging up in the garden, to bring the outside inside. This was the piece used, as later we renovated this patio completely. It was meant to be.

Paint & colours

Choosing the right paint colour was one of the most important decisions. I wanted something warm and neutral to balance out the bolder fabrics and furnishings we had in mind, while still keeping the space bright and calm.

We eventually settled on a soft clay tone called Slipper Satin from Farrow & Ball – almost like a mix between pale stone and sage green. It feels fresh during the day yet cosy at night when the lamps are on.

The built-in shelves were another challenge. At first, I thought we’d need to rip them out completely. They were poorly fitted, full of gaps, and just looked unfinished. But after some careful filling, sanding, and painting, they’ve become one of my favourite features of the room.

We chose Lick Green 09, a beautiful sage shade, which makes them stand out against the clay walls and adds depth and character. This two-tone effect really helps the room feel layered without overwhelming the small space.

On the floor we decided to sand back the old dark varnish on the pine floorboards using 80 grit sandpaper which I tried not to change too often so as to not damage the floor. I then finished with 120 grit. Finally I finished it off with an antique oil. For more detail on how we restored our floorboards check out my video on Youtube.

Soft furnishings

For me, soft furnishings are what make a house feel like a home. Curtains, cushions, and rugs bring warmth and softness to a room that paint alone can’t achieve.

We had curtains made from a gorgeous leafy print fabric from Truro Fabrics. The colours – soft greens, purples, and touches of yellow – give a slight William Morris feel. We added thick lining and interlining, so not only do they look luxurious, but they also help keep the room warmer in winter.

The rug was one of the boldest choices. We went for a rich, patterned design in reds and pinks. It clashes just enough with the curtains and armchairs to give that “English country house” eclectic look I was after.

To finish, we layered patterned cushions in stripes and florals, mixing colours and textures to make the sofa and armchairs feel inviting. It’s the kind of room where you want to curl up with a book under a blanket.

We chose some lovely soft velvet cushions in warm green and red tones combined with other bolder cushions like a patterned leaf print cushion and a floral blue cushion.

Furniture

The furniture we had in our previous home simply didn’t work here. The living room is long and narrow, and our old chunky sofa and loveseat overwhelmed the space. We replaced them with slimmer, more traditional armchairs and a smaller sofa from Sofa Sofa that fit the proportions of the room much better.

Then we added a new wood burner and exposed the existing granite fireplace. I think this gives the room a beautiful focal point, especially with the granite lintel (actually from our own garden!)

We swapped out the modern radiator for a traditional cast iron one. It instantly makes the room feel more in keeping with the history of the house.

Other pieces we added include an antique games table & piano – both practical and charming, they add personality and make the room more practical.

Decorations

Decorating this room was about finding the balance between new and old. I didn’t want it to feel like a showroom; I wanted it to feel collected, cozy, and timeless.

The wall lights like these from Pooky with simple linen shades give the room a warm evening glow. They feel traditional but not fussy, and they frame the seating area beautifully.

Our Samsung Frame TV has been one of the best investments. With a custom gold frame and artwork found on Etsy, it blends seamlessly into the room as a painting rather than a piece of tech. It sits perfectly between the green shelves, which are slowly filling with books we’ve collected over the years.

Small touches like patterned lampshades, vases of fresh flowers, and family photographs have made the room feel lived-in. Over time, I’d love to add more antique finds so that the room continues to evolve with us.

Next steps

Although the living room is finally at a stage where we can enjoy it, there are still a few finishing touches on the list:

• Adding cupboard doors to the bottom of the shelves to hide away TV equipment and games.

• Bringing in a few more antique or second-hand finds to add to the charm.

• Possibly upgrading the shelves entirely in the future so they’re truly built in.

For now, though, it feels complete enough to sit back, light the fire, and relax. It’s become a room we love to spend time in – reading, playing music, or simply curling up together on the sofa to watch a movie.

Transforming this living room has been a reminder that renovations take time. From sanding floors to repairing old bookcases, it’s been a long process – but the result is a room that feels true to the house, and true to us.

The combination of soft colours, rich textiles, traditional furniture, and a few clever modern touches (like the Frame TV) has created a space that is perfect for our family.

Now when I walk into the room, I don’t see the souless, half-finished space we moved into. I see our home.

If you’d like to see the full transformation, you can watch the living room makeover below or browse our entire renovation playlist for even more behind-the-scenes progress.