Turn your home into 'vintage English charm' using 10 easy ways without renovating

Cottages have been part of the English ideal since the late 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution sparked a longing on the part of city-dwellers for the rural life. It's still a dream for many today, with many hoping to incorporate the'vintage English charm' into their homes.

For many, English cottage interior design includes a cosy, warm, and inviting atmosphere, often featuring a mix of antique and contemporary pieces, layered textures, and a focus on natural materials. While it's often idealised, it can be confusing and overwhelming to know where to start if you want to make your home feel like an old English cottage.

To help, interior design enthusiast and vintage decorator Elle Hervin shared her top tips on how you can make your home feel like a vintage English cottage without having to renovate your home - and it's easier than you might think.

"10 super easy ways to create vintage English charm," she wrote on the first photo in her Instagram post.

She went on to explain in the caption: "The easiest and quickest ways to create vintage English charm. Scroll through to see how my colour palette and aesthetic works all together."

1. Think about the details

For her first tip, she urged people to let the details in your home tell the story. She explained: "Add vintage kitchenware, antique ceramics and curios."

In the photo behind, she shared what her kitchen looked like. And while she still had modernised the room with white subway tiles, and blue cabinets, the details still made it feel vintage-inspired.

These details included white mouldings, vintage-looking prints and wall décor and appliances, and old ceramic plates that had been put on display.

2. Balance old and new

As seen in her kitchen, Elle went on to recommend mixing older elements with new.

"Use a mix of both and don't overdo any particular balance," she said, emphasising the importance of finding the right balance with everything.

3. Don't be scared of whimsicality

While the English charm aesthetic is usually described as cosy and vintage, some people might not realise there's also room to be a bit whimsy when it comes to decorating.

Elle went on to urge her followers to play with the whimsicality as she suggested picking out fun cushions, colourful candles, and art when decorating your home.

4. Add bookcases

Next up, Elle recommends adding floor to ceiling bookcases in your home that's filled with books, which she said will make the home feel older and more lived-in.

She said: "Add a striking focal point whilst giving the space an aged, lived-in feeling."

The good thing is you can pick whatever books or other items you want to display on your bookshelf, as they don't just have to be old classics - unless that's what you want, of course.

5. Add colour and flowers

While the sound of 'vintage' might sometime entail dull and more neutral colours, this is not always the case for getting the 'vintage English charm' feel into your home.

Elle urges you to add interest, charm, and character into each room of your home by adding colourful elements and flowers. While you don't have to go all-out with colourful walls, don't be afraid to pick a more colourful artwork or details to your home.

6. Create a romantic charm

If you don't want to add crazy colours to all your rooms, a good alternative could be to add a romantic touch to some rooms.

For this, Elle recommend adding soft pinks, florals, and layered fabrics to a room for a vintage romantic feel.

7. Curate your shelves

Next up, Elle urged people to take advantage of any shelves they might have in their homes in order to add even more details to add to the charm of your home.

"Use open shelving to display antique kitchenware, ceramics and jars," she said, as she described it as 'practical and visually nostalgic'."

8. Add statement vintage pieces

While it's important to add lots of smaller details to embrace the vintage English charm feel in your home, you can also add in a bigger statement vintage piece that will work just as well.

Elle recommend adding larger statement wooden furniture, which she said will provide texture, history, and a sense of being collected over time.

9. Add vintage art

Just like adding older, vintage furniture to your home, Elle also recommends looking for vintage art pieces that you like to add to your home.

It doesn't have to be original paintings, as prints you can buy online would work just as well, and are often a cheaper alternative.

"Search on Etsy, eBay, or flea markets for affordable pieces," she said.

10. Be playful with fabrics

As she said previously, layering different kinds of textiles can be a great way to adda cosy, vintage feel into your home. For her final tip, Elle also recommended not being scared of mixing patterns, fabrics, and materials for the textiles in your home.

She went on to say that this will help add a collected aesthetic that's both colourful as well as unique and curated just for you.