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 puri

fier 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!

Shutters say "cottage” no matter how they are used, and if you put your imagination to work, you'll be sure to come up with more creative uses for shutters in your home.

Tell Your Friend