How to Decorate a British Pub

There are over 50,000 pubs in England and while they're all different, there are some themes that are almost universal in pub decorating. From the dog to the Queen, pub decor is eternally cozy.

What You'll Need

Amber colored paint

Souvenirs of the Queen

Football team keepsakes

Flags of England, Wales and Scotland

Pop culture images

Step 1

Start with wall color. Quaint English pubs often have amber hued walls, not because amber is a soothing color or because it unconsciously encourages patrons to drink more beer, but because after years of cigarette smoking the walls become stained with nicotine. Think "warm tobacco" when picking out a wall color.

Step 2

Use wood to create a sense of warmth. Hardwood floors, exposed ceiling beams, mismatched wooden tables and chairs were all the innkeepers of the past had to decorate with. Replicate those furnishings with used or distressed wooden furniture.

Step 3

Pay respect to the Queen. No English pub is complete without references to the Queen in every imaginable incarnation. A framed photo of the Queen, a set of china with her image glazed on, postcards from each decade bearing her image. Go back in time and resurrect old royalty by adorning the walls with their coats of arms, roses or gilded lions.

Step 4

Hang keepsakes of your favorite football team. It doesn't matter what it is, it could be a jersey or a calendar or an autographed team photo.

Step 5

Wave the flag. Whether you choose to hang only the English flag or if you prefer to include the banners of Wales and Scotland, too, be sure to display your patriotism.

Step 6

Honor English rock stars like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones by displaying their vintage memorabilia. It doesn't have to be an enshrined pair of John Lennon's glasses, but button collections, stickers or framed albums will add some glamour.

Step 7

Display prints of fox hunt scenes, hunting dogs and horses to add a sense of nostalgia.

Step 8

Hang a sign out front that captures the essence of an English pub. Traditionally, pub signs are like portraits in their dimensions and imagery. Their graphic nature came about in response to a once illiterate population who looked to the picture for insights into the entertainment inside.