When it comes to decorating, I really love treating a small room with a minimal palette. Whether you colour wash the whole thing by having the built-ins, walls and moldings all the same colour, or choose colours in the same family, a monochromatic palette will give the space visual simplicity. Of course, you can have a lot of fun with fabrics and wallpaper if that’s your style. You could wallpaper or upholster just the nook behind the built-in bench, or paper the rest of the room, too, in a stylish mural or geometric pattern. Just remember to keep it in line with the rest of the cottage; if it’s modern, choose paint rather than wallpaper.