How to bring classic countryside charm into your home - 6 tips from Sophie Allport

You don't need a cottage in the Cotswolds to bring a little countryside charm into your home. In fact, some of the loveliest ways to make a space feel more connected to nature are wonderfully simple: a vase of garden flowers, a linen cushion, a woven basket or the warm glow of a table lamp.

Countryside styling, also known as Cottagecore, embraces all the cosiness that the season needs. It's all about soft greens, gentle blues, woods, and wickers with botanical prints and cosy textures that make your home instantly feel more welcoming.

And nobody styles it better than renowned designer, Sophie Allport. We asked her for her tips on bringing the countryside into your home. She has six simple tricks up her sleeve for getting a cosier look and feel in every room. And if you need a place to start, her new rug collection has been the talk of the woman&home team.

1. Bring the outdoors in with flowers and foliage

Sophie's first tip is also our favourite way to fall back in love with your home, especially if you're on a budget. "I've always believed that bringing the outdoors in is one of the easiest ways to make a home feel warm and welcoming," says Sophie Allport. She recommends starting with something simple, such as a few flowers, freshly cut branches, or even some greenery. You can bring the hedgerow home in a tablescape or dot decorations around the home. "It's such an affordable way to bring colour, texture, and seasonality indoors," she says. And if you can't get access to green space, there are plenty of artificial flowers that have the same effect.

2. Choose natural materials

Whether you're looking at the layers in your lounge or your autumnal bedding, Sophie recommends paying attention to texture. "I'm always drawn to natural materials, such as linen, cotton, wood, and wicker," says Sophie. She recommends choosing soft colours, such as earthy greens, gentle blues, and warm neutrals, layered as woven baskets, cosy throws, and wooden finishes. Sophie explains that natural materials bring an instant sense of warmth and texture when they're layered together, to curate "a space that feels relaxed and lived in."

3. Create cosiness and consistency

Getting cosy is about looking for your simple comforts, but also keeping consistent. Sophie always relies on a soft throw, her favourite mug for a nice cup of tea, and some soft candlelight (we love these autumnal candles for the scent of the season). It's a formula that works for her, but she cautions against overdoing your soft furnishings.

When you're layering cushions, throws and other soft furnishings, more isn't necessarily more. “I like to keep the colour palette fairly consistent and then layer different textures within those tones," explains Sophie. "Linen, knitted fabrics, soft cottons and wool work beautifully together.”

4. Give your hallway some country charm

The entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of your home, which is why it's important to see it as a place for warmth and style as well as a practical space where hallway storage is important.

A few considered details can make the entrance feel welcome before you've even taken your coat off. “I think it's the little touches that make people feel instantly at home," says Sophie, "I love welcoming guests with a beautifully dressed hallway or entrance, soft candlelight and a touch of seasonal foliage.”

5. Lighting makes a big difference

If you only have an hour and a small budget, you don't need to redecorate. Instead, look at the lighting. “I'd start by introducing soft lighting and a few layers of texture," says Sophie, "Simply switching on lamps instead of overhead lights, lighting a candle and adding a cosy throw to a chair or sofa can completely change the mood of a room.”

It's a particularly easy trick to try as the evenings get darker, and one that can make even a modern room feel instantly warmer. I also like to look at LED candles, also known as flameless candles, because these create wonderful ambiance without any fire risk.

Sophie Allport is the perfect person to prove that the beauty of countryside style is that it doesn't require a country address. Her collection of botanical designs and natural colours are an easy way to create a home that feels warm, relaxed and connected to the natural world.

And you don't need to overhaul your interiors to get there. Start with a vase of flowers, a soft throw or a warmer lamp, then layer in the textures and colours you love. And, if you get stuck, just have a browse on Sophie Allport's website. It's where I spend far too much of my free time...