Countryside cottages have long since had a certain appeal that has many attempting to replicate the style in their homes. Whether you have a cottage yourself or are emulating the cottagecore aesthetic in your property, you might find that there is a delicate balance to ensure it is updated for modern living, without compromising on the rural feel. But, don’t worry, here are 6 tips to help you strike the right balance.

1. Keep a rustic aesthetic, even with new appliances

Cottagecore properties are meant to be imperfect and quirky. On the other hand, when renovating any property, you will no doubt want to have the highest quality, perfect finishes. This can be a hard balance to strike.

When opting for new appliances or new paint work, don’t stress too much about getting everything perfect! This will allow you to get that country appeal, but without sacrificing the quality of the finish.

2. Opt for an electric fireplace

A fireplace is the focal point of any country cottage - it's where the whole family can gather around to warm themselves on the fire. However, open fires can be dangerous to children and pets, as well as producing a lot of smoke, and not being super eco-friendly. That said, you don’t need to sacrifice the aesthetics of a log burning fireplace just to make the functionality more updated.

Instead, opt for an electric fireplace with a log burning flame effect. You can even find heaters that are designed to look like a log burning stove, except without the need for any wood, fire, or chimney. This way, you can benefit from modern heating technology, without compromising on the cottagecore aesthetic.

3. Reuse, reupholster, upcycle, or buy second hand

Gather together your old furniture and items you have inherited over the years. Some of these things will likely find a new home on display in your renovated cottage. If not, you can easily reupholster chairs and sofas to give them a new lease of life, or upcycle cabinets and furniture with a lick of paint.

If not, you can always pop down to your local antique store or charity shop to get the same effect.

4. When exposing raw materials, double check your insulation

To get that cottage aesthetic, you’ll likely have exposed beams on your ceiling, exposed wooden floorboards or tiles, and exposed brickwork on your walls. Though this can be aesthetically pleasing, the issue that might arise is the loss of heat.

So, to ensure your energy bills don’t increase even further, find ways to ensure that your home is properly insulated.

5. Choose comfort over style

The beauty of cottagecore aesthetics is that nothing has to match! Choose your furniture with comfort in mind, and the style will come naturally.

6. Books are the ultimate design accessory

Install open shelving onto one or two walls of your home and fill it to the brim with books. You can even place stacks of books under your coffee table, on your mantelpiece, or displayed in cabinet cases. This will make your cottage look more homely and relaxed, as well as tempting you to curl up and dig into your next big read in front of the fireplace.

And there you have it - 6 tips for keeping a cottagecore aesthetic when renovating a country-style property.