5 Common English Country Style Elements to Incorporate into Your Apartment

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5 Common English Country Style Elements to Incorporate into Your Apartment

Staff Writer · Sep 30, 2010

You may enjoy a country living decor, but haven’t considered the English country style before. This decorating style is found throughout Europe in mansions as well as small cottages, and people around the world are incorporating its elements into their living space. Perhaps you’ve seen a picture or television show profiling the English country style and want to know what it would take to use it in your apartment. Here are 5 common elements that would work well in an apartment:

1. Floral Draperies

The use of floral patterns in window treatments and elsewhere in the apartment is typical the English country style. Start with the kitchen and hang floral window curtains and valances. Half curtains also work well with window blinds showing underneath. Matching table cloths and table chair covers will complete the look in your kitchen. Next, add draperies with floral patterns in your living room and bedrooms.

2. Wallpaper

Painted walls don’t fit the English country style decor. Wallpaper is used instead, and with the variety of options available today, you won’t have to worry about it getting ruined. For example, you can choose vinyl coated wallpaper which is resistant to water and humidity. You don’t need a floral pattern on the wallpaper, especially if it will make a room look too busy, because of floral window treatments. However, you can use wallpaper with giant patterns to make a room more appealing to the eyes.

3. Floors

You might think that with all the floral accessories that you have to incorporate, an English country style makes use of bright and sunny colors. However, the opposite is true, especially with it comes to floors. Dark brown, red or black and gray work best. Purchase area rugs in darker colors if the carpets you have don’t work.

4. Collectibles

You’ve heard of the saying, “less is more.” This is not applicable to the English country style, where it seems that the more you have to display the better. This is directly opposite from other decorating styles, such as the Asian style decor, that emphasizes space and less clutter. You can’t have enough throw pillows, collectibles, artwork, antiques and china. If you have more things than you know what to do with, and you like it that way, then this is the perfect apartment decor for you. Gather your collectibles out of storage and boxes and place them on tables, fireplace mantles and floors, or hang them on your walls.

5. Leather

Buying the right furniture for an English country style may be the most expensive design element to incorporate into your apartment. The standard is a leather chair, that’s black or red. That’s not to say that you would betray this style if your chair is not leather, but that’s the norm. Velvet is another option, though not as widely used.

Consider these elements as you pick a design style for your apartment. An English country style is not for everyone, especially if you live in a small apartment.

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