Country House Interior Design – Designing Your Dream Country Home

The good life. We’ve all imagined it; swapping busy city streets for fresh country air, sweeping vistas and a little old-fashioned community spirit. For some, their dream country home already exists and is just awaiting a facelift. For others, this mammoth task will start from nothing; a barren field or an empty clifftop, just screaming out for an amazing home with the perfect country house interior design. But, before you pick up that sketch pad, ask yourself why? Is this simply an investment, or is it destined to become your dream country home? If this move is the biggie, read on…

Country House Interior Design – Scrap the mindfulness

We know living in the moment is all the rage right now, but getting your country house interior design right means making sure it works for you in 10, 20 or even 30 years from now. Is that dramatic mezzanine going to work when children enter the equation?

See the potential

Sometimes taking on an existing property can actually seem more daunting than an empty plot. Embrace the challenge; it forces you to adapt and can throw up new ideas you would never have thought of working with a clean slate. This country house in Kent was near derelict when Callender Howorth took it on. Working closely with the owners and the English Heritage, the team embarked on a two-year total renovation of the listed property. Today, the manor house’s traditional, spacious rooms are enhanced by vibrant colours, modern conveniences and personal touches.

Protect the ‘Big L’

Location, location, location. We hate to break it to you, but that beautiful meadow that your plot overlooks now, isn’t guaranteed to be there a few years down the line. You may have your country house interior design down to a tee, but views and setting make a home, so buy a good buffer of land around your property to protect yourself from future building in the area.

Be wary of trends

Love to embrace current trends? Great, do it with elements of your country house interior design that are easy to update, not permanent fixtures. You can achieve an impactful country house and make it timeless. It is far easier and less expensive to overhaul your curtains and art in a years’ time, than to rebuild your kitchen.

Go with the flow

Your country house interior design needs to take your movements in to consideration – nobody wants toddlers running through kitchens or offices. Think about how you want to move around your home, not just how you want it to look. It can be tempting to hide utilities in the depths of beyond, but nobody wants a half-marathon to dry their washing. Make sure offices are tucked away somewhere quiet but with natural light and place playrooms near kitchens to make multi-tasking a breeze.

Ring fence your must haves

Creating your ultimate country house interior design can feel a little bit like being a kid in a sweet shop. Just when you think it’s perfect, you come across a new ‘must have’ invention, model or idea. Unless money is no object, you will need to compromise along the way to make these changes and upgrades. Ring fence your must have features and keep less crucial elements of your design in your back pocket for money saving when needed.

Build your own A-team

No, this isn’t cheating. This is probably the biggest investment of your life. Don’t scrimp when it comes to getting a great interior designer, they are the person that will transform your country house design in to your dream home. Bounce ideas of each other until the plan is just right, speak up when you are not sold and keep up communication throughout.