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  4. 10 Ways To Add Cottage Charm

10 Ways To Add Cottage Charm

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors
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Chances are, your heart melts a little every time you pass a cottage. They ooze old-fashioned style, but the good news is that you can get the look too. 
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Secrets to Cottage Style

Secrets to Cottage Style
Credit: Photo: Francesco Lagnese

Any inspired change—a crisp white gate, a new door in a bold paint color, or a traditional gas lantern—can lift your home to new heights and instant cottage appeal.

Watch: 7 Ways to Add Cottage Charm

See more of this Charleston Rebuild with Character

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1. Add Full-Swing Shutters

Add Full-Swing Shutters
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A cottage staple, shutters are an instant update for windows and doors. They come in many styles—louvered and paneled—and have lots of options for accessories like hinges and holdbacks, also known as “shutter dogs.” Here’s the key to getting shutters right: They have to be operable (not just screwed onto brick or siding) and should be sized correctly. A good rule of thumb is that a pair of shutters, when closed, should cover a window or door opening completely.

See more of this Modern Georgian Home

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2. Make a Splash with Color

Make a Splash with Color

Craving color in small doses? A front door is the perfect place to show off a bold hue and set the tone for a house filled with style. Whether you go for a traditional shade or think outside the box, a colorful door is sure to make any cottage stand out from the street.

See more Before and After Home Exteriors

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3. Paint It White

Paint It White

Cottage exteriors can come in many architectural styles (Farmhouse, Tudor, and Craftsman, to name a few) and are often clad in brick, clapboard, or shingles. But no matter the look, most of our favorites have one thing in common: a crisp white exterior shell that's timeless and pops against a lush, green garden backdrop.

See more of our Senoia Georgia Idea House

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4. Upgrade the Roof

Upgrade the Roof
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

One of the biggest investments in a house, roofs are often overlooked. Because of its hefty price tag, a roof is a more permanent decision. Choose one that’s durable, long-lasting, and easy on the eyes.

See more of this Home with Colonial Williamsburg Style

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Notice the Details: Sleek Roof

Notice the Details: Sleek Roof
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A standing-seam metal roof is a farmhouse classic.

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Notice the Details: Natural Roof

Upgraded Green Roof
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Asphalt or dimensional shingle roofs come in many colors—green blends into a lush setting.

See more of this Natural Georgia Lake House

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5. Make an Entrance

Make an Entrance
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Cottages are often comprised of simple architectural forms. One of the best ways to add prominence to the facade is to create an entry with distinction. Even if it's as simple as upgrading your front door, don’t overlook the importance of a well-groomed entry.

See more of this Atlanta Cottage Makeover

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6. Plant Boxwoods

Plant Boxwoods
Credit: Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson

If you want a simple and classic landscape to surround your house, choose boxwoods. Evergreen and easily pruned into a variety of shapes, boxwoods are ideal foundation plants and partners to many different ground covers and colorful annuals.

See more of this Atlanta Cottage Garden

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7. Install a Gate, Rail, or Fence

Install a Gate, Rail, or Fence
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Establishing boundaries is often a good thing. Fences and railings help to add a sense of enclosure and define yards and outdoor spaces. Garden gates lend an air of mystery—tempting guests to walk in and explore. To create the illusion of depth in a small space, Birmingham architect Jeremy Corkern suggests installing a fence in the middle of the yard rather than at the sidewalk.

See more of this Southern Craftsman Restoration

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8. Create an Outdoor Living Room

Create an Outdoor Living Room
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When you’re short on space, as you often are in the more modest proportions of a cottage, you have to make the most of every square inch. One of the best ways to do that—especially in the South—is to extend your living space outdoors and take advantage of porches and patios. Decorate them with plush, weather-resistant furnishings for an extra room you can use year-round.

See more of this Farmhouse Remodel

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9. Build Detailed Dormers

Build Detailed Dormers
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Nothing else makes a small space live large like a dormer. Positioned on a roof, a dormer projects out to add extra square footage, ceiling height, and natural light to a room. The key to getting them right is scale—too small or too large and they’ll make the house look bug-eyed. Other finishes like operable shutters and windows amp up the appeal.

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10. Finish with a Fine Piece of Jewelry

Finish with a Fine Piece of Jewelry

The outside of your home deserves to be accessorized, just like the interior. Try adding decorative details like doorknockers, light fixtures, house numbers, and mailboxes that welcome visitors and express personal style. Not only do these accents add flair, but they also say something about the owners. Whether you want to show state pride or announce a hobby, look for small touches that add a bit of whimsy.

Notice the Details: Unique doorknockers add personality. For similar styles, try michaelhealy.com.

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Notice the Details: Gas Lanterns

Notice the Details: Metal Lanterns

Handcrafted gas lanterns provide flickering light and add nostalgic charm.

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Notice the Details: Copper Gutters

Notice the Details: Decorative Touches

Copper gutters, stamped with a decorative star, enrich the street-facing facade of this home.

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Notice the Details: Doorway Accessory

Notice the Details: Signs of Welcome

An oversize carved pineapple, a universal symbol of hospitality, adorns the top of a doorway—welcoming all who enter.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 16 Secrets to Cottage Style
    2 of 16 1. Add Full-Swing Shutters
    3 of 16 2. Make a Splash with Color
    4 of 16 3. Paint It White
    5 of 16 4. Upgrade the Roof
    6 of 16 Notice the Details: Sleek Roof
    7 of 16 Notice the Details: Natural Roof
    8 of 16 5. Make an Entrance
    9 of 16 6. Plant Boxwoods
    10 of 16 7. Install a Gate, Rail, or Fence
    11 of 16 8. Create an Outdoor Living Room
    12 of 16 9. Build Detailed Dormers
    13 of 16 10. Finish with a Fine Piece of Jewelry
    14 of 16 Notice the Details: Gas Lanterns
    15 of 16 Notice the Details: Copper Gutters
    16 of 16 Notice the Details: Doorway Accessory

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