If you love a country decor but can't choose on a certain look, maybe you can find the information you need below. Country decor has been around for a very long time. The American country style is what we hear the most about today however, the country style decor actually started in Europe, as a more traditional look. Later, the French Provencal created a country style that became very popular. All three styles have similarities in them such as muted colors, painted finishes, and they used handmade accessories such as baskets and flowers to complete the look. The main colors were calico print, checks, and striped fabric.

The floors were hardwood and accented with area rugs. Southwestern rugs were very important as well as solid color rugs. The main idea was to have a simple and clean look, not cluttered at all.  

English Country Decor

This style decor used oak, elm, ash, walnut, and occasionally mahogany wood to create the furniture that goes with the decor. They were more concerned with the function of their finished product. The use of patterns and colors that you would see in the garden was also popular. The colors would be incorporated in china for the kitchen, curtains, and pillows.

The look was soon part of home decors everywhere. This look was part of the decor that was past down from generation to generation because the look was well built and would withstand years of use.  

The French Provencal  

The furniture was simple and function as well for the French. The pieces were created locally instead of purchased from a business. The most popular wood used was cherry, pear, chestnut, poplar, walnut, and ash. They would be completed with a marble or wrought iron embellishment. Vibrant colors were used along with natural finishes. The look for the French was more casual. Instead of placing upholstery down on the chairs, they used cane and rushed chair cushions. The accessories for this look included stone and terra cotta.  

Window treatments were simple but they could be very elegant if you choose. Wood tables with marble tops were very important with this look.  

American Country

The American style is simple and very clean. It was influenced by the English look. The woods used were walnut, pine, and maple. Textured fabrics, including leather, were used. The look was homespun and not commercial.  

Today, the American country look is blended into other looks in homes everywhere. It blends well with the cottage look, western look, rustic or lodge look, and the Victorian style.  

If you want to create a country decor start with a simple look. Don't place too many items on the walls and keep the floors open and spacious. You want to have simple window treatments as well. There are several ways that you can incorporate this look into your decor. If you don't want to change your current decor completely, keep the country look in your accessories. This will give you enough decor in your room and let you have more than one look. This may be hard to do with some looks but if you already have a cottage look, rustic or lodge look, or Victorian look, then it will be easy to incorporate the country look too.