2023’s hottest interior design trend will be English country house style with a contemporary twist. The style has been popular for decades and is famed for its earthy rustic feel, embracing imperfections and the fusion of different furniture and antiques. Expect to see a modern take on country house within the next 12 months, as minimalism and “outdoors in” add a modern spin to this timeless classic. In this post, we’ve collated 17 easy-to-follow tips to bring a contemporary country house feel to your home.
- Use light and neutral colour schemes for your backdrop. These shades make your interiors feel more spacious and airy, as well as adding a touch of modernity. At Pointers Antiques, we suggest using cream, beige, taupe and light greys to achieve the contemporary country house vibe.
- Brighten your spaces using pastel colours. Adding soft colours to your light neutral interiors will liven up your country house interiors. Rugs, throws and cushions work well, as do decorative pieces and antiques. We expect mint green, rose pink and lilac to be popular pastel colours this year.
- Make use of metallic colours for a touch of modernity. Light bronze and copper are perfect for adding a sense of warmth to your country house interiors. You can do this by decorating with lighting and fireplace accessories such as club fenders. This medical lamp is just one of many items in our collection that will help you to achieve this look.
- Decorate with patterns. Incorporating patterns is another way to add detail to the light and neutral feel of country house interiors. Patterns add a sense of depth, creating the illusion of a bigger and roomier space. For modern country house interiors, we recommend rich colours, classic stripes and floral patterns as these will remain on trend in 2023.
- Hang large prints on your walls. As well as patterns, prints are another way to add accents, depth and focal points to your neutral country house interiors. Over the next year, we expect monochrome and plant-based prints to be popular. In our collection, you’ll find a wide selection of prints, such as this monochrome French cycling poster.
- Focus on wood furnishings. Incorporating exposed wooden beams, floorboards and doors will help you to achieve this style’s natural feel. Wooden furniture is another way you can create an organic feel and our collection includes a variety charming wooden tables, storage and seating that fit perfectly with this trend.
- Make use of rustic aesthetics to highlight imperfections, creating a worn and weathered look that fits perfectly with this style. Decorating with antique and vintage pieces, like these 1930s merry-go-round horses, can also help achieve this look.
- Mix old and new. Country house style embraces uniqueness and incorporating different styles is one way to achieve this. Juxtaposing vintage and modern pieces helps create a sense of personality and becomes the talking point of any interior. Browse our collection for more inspiration.
- Choose organic textures. To add a sense of natural warmth to your home, make use of organic textures, such as woolen fabrics, linen textiles and distressed leather. The use of handcrafted furniture, such as this Orkney chair is a perfect example of incorporating organic textures into your home.
- Add detail and colour by using layers. Warm, inviting interiors can be created through the use of layering items such as rugs, cushion and throws. In keeping with the organic feel, source natural materials and don’t be afraid of mixing styles.
- Introduce plants and garden furniture. “Outdoors in” has been a popular theme in interior styles, and country house is no exception. Adding plants and garden furniture brings the “outdoors in” and creates a sense of space and personality to any home. Take a look at our garden section for more nature-inspired pieces.
- Choose comfortable seating. Comfort is an important aspect of country house, so be sure to choose warm and comfortable seating, such as club chairs or deep-seated sofas and armchairs. Opt for classic upholstery, floral patterns and weathered leather for the perfect country house feel. For example, this club chair would be right at home in your country house living room. To find out more about the most popular antique chair styles, read our recent post here.
- Use furniture to divide spaces. Open-plan, multi-purpose rooms have been a big feature in interior design over the past few years, as we now often work, relax and dine in the same space. Make use of large furniture to separate rooms into different “zones”. For example, a large sofa like this 19th-century Victorian sofa, can separate the living area from the workspace.
- Make use of industrial lighting fixtures. Industrial lighting brings a touch of modernity and urbanism to contemporary country house interiors, look for warm metallic colours, such as copper, to create an inviting feel in your home. You’ll find a wide selection of industrial lighting in our shop, such as this industrial French floor lamp. Explore this and more industrial lighting fixtures in our lighting collection.
- Position large tables as the centrepiece in your country house kitchen. Large dining tables work well in country house kitchens as they evoke a sense of warmth and comfort. We recommend farmhouse tables with mismatched chairs for the ideal country house style. Browse the table and chairs in our collection for more inspiration.
- Incorporate statement pieces. Adding “unique finds” is one of the best ways to create a sense of personality and character, which are important parts of the country house aesthetic. Don’t forget, the contemporary country house style is less cluttered, so stick to just one or two pieces for a tidier feel. Peruse our decorative section to find your personality piece.
Now you know how to incorporate a contemporary twist to the traditional country house style, set to be a key interior design trend in 2023. Our collection at Pointers Antiques can help you achieve the country house aesthetic, to view this and other interior style ideas click here. Sign up for our newsletter and get 10% off your first purchase!