When you live in a rural area, it’s hard to keep your home decor from leaning towards a cottage-y style. There’s just something about open air that makes you want to cozy up in front of a fire with a good book and a patterned china teacupful of tea. Thankfully, cottage is a style of decorating and you don’t need to live in the country to have it. The kitchen, being the center of life in a home, is a great place to start bringing in that cozy decorating. Take a look at these 10 tips that will give you the cozy cottage kitchen you’ve been pining for.

When you’re going for a cottage style, it can sometimes be difficult to choose your color scheme. Cream is a given in anything rustic and when you go cottage, you’re in luck. As long as you include a pastel shade with your cream, it’s sure to be a hit. Think mint or lavender or buttery yellow.

You might think this is too French at first, but don’t all good cottage kitchens have exposed beams? If you can manage it, do a little renovation on your ceiling and either expose the beams you have or install some. You’ll adore the cozy rustic feelthey create. (via Savy Home)

Keeping on the wood train of thought, butcher block counters are the best, especially when you’re decorating anything rustic. They’re inviting and warm to look at and add a pleasing touch of wood to your kitchen. Not to mention there is a multitude of butcher block topped kitchen carts that will match perfectly. (via Marta DecoYcina)

If your kitchen has windows, resist the urge to purchase a cliche flowery valance. Opt for burlap or linen instead. The plain fabric will let in all the natural light you want and add a sense of home without feeling dated. It will make you want to replace all the window treatments in your home. (via Cherished Bliss)

You might have noticed a common touch in many of these images. Modern cottage kitchens have industrial lighting nowadays. We’re talking about cages and galvanized metal instead of frilly shades. It provides an interesting and modern pop to your kitchen that will keep you on trend. (via Domino)

Everybody has a pantry space somewhere, whether in a closet or a kitchen cabinet. Invest in some glass jars of different sizes and store them on open shelving for everyone to see. They’ll give the illusion that you are a canner without having to do the work. (via Ella Claire)

Cottage sinks are usually multipurpose. They wash dirty dishes, mud-caked veggies and sandy babies, so you want a sink that’s going to fit whatever challenge you bring to it. A farmhouse sink promises to accept the challenge and more. It’s so large, it will always fit another cup or four dirty paws. (via My Paradissi)

Antiques are a great place to start when you’re decorating your cottage kitchen. Comb over your local thrift store for old jars and cutting boards and pitchers. Just a touch of antique will give you feelings of nostalgia and make your kitchen a place where anyone can pull up a chair for a good chat. (via One Kings Lane)

Don’t forget the china! If you’re going to sit by a fire with a patterned china teacupful of tea, you have to have the teacup first. With another thrifting expedition, collect all the flowery plates and cups and saucers you can hold. Then proudly display them on your kitchen shelves. Don’t worry about the fact that they don’t match! It will make them easy to replace. (via The Kitchn)

Last but not least, every kitchen deserves some greenery. And what would a proper cottage kitchen be without a little indoor herb garden? Whether you plant it in teacups like the image above or in a big pot or even empty old tea tins, you’ll be glad of the greenery and your cooking will benefit too.