Creating a Country Feel in a New Build Home
Are you updating your home? Country-style décor can be a beautiful addition to a new build, evoking warmth, comfort, and a connection to nature.
Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet suburb, adding country-inspired elements to a modern property can make your home feel calm. This guide provides tips to transform your new build into a charming retreat.
Natural materials
Authentic materials like wood and stone introduce a rustic quality, creating an earthy, enduring look. Wood is a hallmark of country style, bringing warmth and richness to any space.
For floors, cabinets, and even ceiling beams, natural wood is the perfect choice. Reclaimed wood is ideal for a rustic touch too. A reclaimed oak coffee table or a distressed pine dining table, for example, can give a lived-in feel that’s key to this look.
Along with wood, stone is a core natural material that features in a country-style home. A stone fireplace surround can add a traditional effect in the living room, while stone cladding on exterior walls or around garden areas helps establish a cohesive country look from the outside in.
Neutral colour palette
A neutral colour palette creates a tranquil environment that connects the indoors with the outdoors. The warm, honeyed neutrals that have been trending this year are set to return in 2025 and are the ideal shades to incorporate.
These soft neutrals like cream, beige and taupe work well with earthy olive greens, sage, and browns. These hues complement natural materials, helping spaces feel larger and more inviting.
Introduce subtle colour accents with accessories and textiles. Choose colours inspired by nature, such as deep greens, warm reds, or golden yellows. A few pops of colour, like a patterned throw blanket or vintage pottery, can provide contrast without overpowering the overall aesthetic.
Rustic details
Antique or vintage pieces, such as a farmhouse dining table, a well-worn rug, or a distressed wooden sideboard, add character and a story to the space. These pieces bring a touch of nostalgia.
Also, opt for natural, textured fabrics such as linen, wool, or corduroy for upholstery, curtains, and throw blankets. These materials create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Draping a wool blanket over a leather armchair or adding linen cushions on a sofa captures the rustic feel effortlessly.
Plants, dried flowers, or natural materials like wicker and rattan work well with this style too. A woven rattan chair or a wicker basket adds both texture and functionality.
Cosy furnishings
Choose plush, oversized sofas and armchairs in soft fabrics. Consider upholstery in wool or cotton blends, which are both durable and comfortable. Pairing a neutral-coloured sofa with a patterned armchair adds to the mismatched feel of a classic country home.
Lighting
Use warm-toned lights around your new build home. Swap out cool-toned bulbs for warm white or amber ones to create a softer, more relaxing glow. Floor lamps with fabric shades or table lamps with dimmers can help maintain an ambient, cosy atmosphere.
Installing pendant lights over dining tables or kitchen islands can also add a touch of rural charm. Vintage-style or industrial-inspired pendants can be both functional and stylish.
Outdoor living
A cottage-style garden filled with wildflowers, herbs, and vegetables can extend the country theme to your outdoor space. Raised garden beds, a quirky birdbath, or even a small herb garden on the patio can all help transport you to the heart of the countryside.
Set up comfortable outdoor seating too, like a wooden bench or a hammock, where you can enjoy the garden and relax in the fresh air.
Take the time to plan your home décor in a way that works for you. Get to know the layout of your new build and find ways to enhance the space you have.