5 decorating tips for your holiday cottage
Furnishing a holiday cottage is different from decorating a permanent home. Here you want to create a relaxed place that is easy to unwind in – without having to spend too much time on maintenance or advanced solutions.�At the same time many holiday cottages have limited space, which makes planning extra important. With a few simple decorating principles you can create a house that feels airy, functional and truly cozy. Here are five tips that make a big difference.
1) Create an airy feel
Start by keeping the color palette light and cohesive. Light walls, natural materials and simple textiles make the room feel larger and more harmonious.
Avoid too many different colors and patterns. In a holiday cottage it's often enough with a few selected details – for example a throw, a cushion or a rug – to bring life to the room. A simple trick is also to let furniture stand a little more spaced out instead of filling every corner. Let walls and larger textiles stay close to each other in tone, and add color in smaller doses (cushions, ceramics, art). That way the whole feels calm even when life is happening.
2) Leave space for calm
It can be tempting to fill the holiday cottage with things, but often the opposite works better.
A few empty surfaces, simpler furniture and fewer details make the house feel more relaxing. A holiday cottage should not feel full – it should feel like a break from everyday life.
3) Choose materials that become more beautiful with use
Many choose a holiday cottage precisely for the proximity to nature. Therefore it is smart to let the outdoor and indoor environments connect. Feel free to use similar materials both outside and inside – for example wood, linen or rattan. Large windows, light curtains and furniture that is easy to move make it easier to open the house up to the terrace or the garden.
The result is a home that feels larger and more alive
Smart choice: washable covers or textured fabrics (like boucl�cl� or heavier cotton) hide small marks better than completely smooth surfaces. In the kitchen and hallway: think durable rugs and storage baskets that can be moved around.
4) Furnish smart when space is limited
In holiday cottages the same room often needs to serve several functions. Therefore furniture with dual uses is especially valuable. For example a sofa bed can function both as a living room sofa and an extra sleeping place when guests arrive. A coffee table with storage can at the same time hold blankets, games or books.
Smart solutions make the house feel more organized without you needing more furniture.
Three storage solutions that always work:
Hooks at different heights (children, adults, guests).
Boxes and baskets for “summer items” (swimming, games, barbecue).
Bed storage or a bench with a lid for extra blankets and cushions.
5) Let the house have a personal story – but keep the selection restrained
A holiday home is warmed by details: a map of the archipelago, an inherited tray, black-and-white photos of the place, a hand-thrown vase. The secret is not the quantity, but the context.
A simple rule: choose 5–10 items to show and put the rest away. That makes it easier to clean, and the rooms feel more intentional. Also think in groups: three objects on a sideboard often go further than ten scattered around.
More inspiration
More inspiration
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