No cottage would be completely charming without the use of shutters both inside and out. They are often available at garage sales and flea markets for those on a dollarwise budget, and the more worn the paint, the more charming!
Here are 10 ways to creatively decorate with shutters:
1. Clever Cut-Out. Shutters with a shape cut out of them are simply irresistible on your outside windows. How about a crescent moon shape, circles, hearts, or perhaps a simple fish shape for a beach cottage?
2. Fireplace Finesse. Shutters can be used in place of a fireplace screen. Paint them a lively color, or free-hand paint an artistic scene on the front.
3. Savvy Screen. A tall set of folding shutters can work as a screen to cover a radiator or act as a room divider.
4. Patio Panache. Paint a decorative scene on a pair of shutters with outdoor paint, spray with a clear sealer, and place in your patio garden for a charming touch.
5. Happy Headboard. Hang a painting above your headboard and put a single shutter on each side. I did this in our bedroom and received many compliments.
6. Outdoor Wall Wonder. Paint a lively decorative scene on a flat stucco wall of your home outdoors, and hang a single shutter on each side for charm.
7. Purely Pleasing. Stand up a pair of shutters in a corner to hide your room’s air purifier and add a decorative touch.
8. Take the Plunge. Hide that ugly bathroom plunger behind a small pair of shutters placed in a corner of your bathroom.
9. Plant Pizzazz. Stand a single shutter up in a corner and place a potted climbing plant such as ivy in front of it. Let the vine grow up the shutter.
10. Litter box Leverage. Stand a pair of tall shutters on the floor in front of the litter box to hide it. Leave room on the side for the cats to get through!