Sand down existing wooden ceiling joists—or install faux whitewashed oak beams—and seal them with a matte finish. Coat the walls in a textured, limewash or chalky plaster paint in a warm ivory shade. Furnish the room with low-profile linen sofas, neutral wool rugs, and minimalist black iron floor lamps to balance the rustic ceiling.
Idea 2: Modern Tongue-and-Groove (Shiplap) Wall Paneling
Step-by-Step Guide
Vertical tongue-and-groove or V-groove wall paneling adds subtle texture and height to cottage walls. Unlike traditional horizontal shiplap, running panels vertically draws the eye upward, giving small cottage rooms a taller, airier feeling.
