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Although it started as a cozy aesthetic on social media, cottagecore has now become a very trendy interior design style. It’s defined by its close connection to the natural world and embracing a simpler, rural lifestyle. Capturing the essence of this aesthetic through interior design can be done quite easily if you focus on floral patterns, vintage decorations, and various elements that evoke a sense of deep comfort. Cottagecore homes are intended as sanctuaries for both physical and mental well-being.
Many young people are aware of the bleak state of the world and are seeking solace in their home environment. That’s an important reason for cottagecore’s popularity. The aesthetic makes you nostalgic for a rural countryside life far away from the fast-paced and chaotic urban lifestyle. That comfy feeling of living in a cottage, somewhere in the woods close to the peaceful natural world is pretty much the main appeal of cottagecore.
If you’re interested in bringing the beauty of cottagecore design into your own home, check out the following inspirational decor ideas.
1. Displaying Antiques
Cottagecore tends to feature antique and vintage items quite often. These elements seem to tell a story and contribute to the comfortable atmosphere of the aesthetic. The passed-down appearance has a distinctive charm that’s highly treasured by cottagecore enthusiasts. Instead of visiting a modern store full of mass-produced furniture, it’s recommended to search for some rare flea market finds. A vintage wooden table or an antique upholstered chair could be great examples of cottagecore style.
2. Floral Wallpaper
Even if your bathroom has a modern design, you can give it an authentic cottagecore vibe by opting for a floral wallpaper. It’s not surprising that floral patterns are extremely popular in this aesthetic. The nostalgic visual effect created by a vintage floral print creates a homely sensation that takes the coziness of the room to a new level. Many granny chic elements can also be reflected in the style of a cottagecore space.
3. Lace and Natural Fabrics
Textiles play an important role when it comes to cottagecore design. The style is mainly focused on natural fabrics such as linen and cotton. The textural impact is particularly important. That’s why you’ll often see beautiful lace detailing on many textiles used in cottagecore spaces. Country-style or vintage fabrics seem to dominate the aesthetic because they’re practical for living a simple and comfortable life which is central to cottagecore’s principles. These textiles are also attractive together with antique decorations or distressed wooden furniture.
4. Victorian Teacups
Cottagecore is more than just a set of aesthetic guidelines to decorate a home. It’s considered a way of life by many of its ardent fans. Enjoying the small pleasures of life seems to be a common theme in this style. A gorgeous Victorian set of teacups could be a welcomed addition to any cottagecore house. The vintage style of the teacups provides great interest to the home decor. Create a truly charming appeal by combining a classy Victorian teacup and saucer with the textural beauty of lace textiles.
5. Cottagecore Kitchen
If you’re looking to design a kitchen room with the help of cottagecore aesthetics, it’s a good idea to focus on the small details. As opposed to more modern design approaches, cottagecore doesn’t shy away from displaying a wide range of kitchen accessories to achieve a beautiful decorative effect. Items shouldn’t just be stored uniformly and carefully organized. You can add much more character to the space by using open shelves and wall hangers to display all your kitchen paraphernalia.
6. Exposed Wooden Beams
Considering the name of the style, it makes sense that you’d ideally attempt to create an authentic cottage atmosphere in your home. The best way to do this is by relying on architectural features that add a distinctive rustic air to the space. Exposed wooden beams can match the vibe of cottagecore well. Enhance the sense of comfort by mixing wooden elements with a few colorful or patterned accents. This kind of collected look maintains visual harmony in a cottagecore bedroom.
7. French Design Influence
Vintage furniture is a staple of cottagecore. When searching for antique pieces to include in your cozy cottagecore environment, consider favoring those featuring a French design influence. This will help to maintain a more refined air and avoid a dated look. There’s no need to worry about chipped paint or faded fabrics because cottagecore embraces all the little imperfections of antique items. The result is a room full of personality that allows you to escape in the comfort of an older period when life seemed much simpler.
8. Comfort is Key
One of the best ways to describe cottagecore is to imagine your ideal safe space where you feel cozy and truly at home. That’s precisely the feeling that this aesthetic attempts to capture when decorating a room. Focus on making your bed extra-soft and using furniture upholstery that’s particularly comfortable. Layering additional throw pillows and blankets could be a recommended method to maximize the sense of comfort and relaxation. This design approach will make you feel warm both outside and inside because cottagecore contributes to mental comfort as well.
9. Plenty of Natural Light
Establishing a close connection to nature can be done in various ways to introduce a genuine cottagecore vibe in your home. The aesthetic idolizes an agricultural way of life and that’s why tending to a small garden is recommended. Use big windows to reflect the outdoor life inside. The natural elements suffused in natural light can blur the lines between the different environments and create a heavenly mood when you’re indoors. This is one reason why cottagecore is sometimes called a dreamy aesthetic.
10. Whimsical Gallery Wall
Compared to typical rustic designs, cottagecore sets itself apart by incorporating whimsicality. It’s not just a matter of using antique furniture and farmhouse accents. Cottagecore decor plays around with colors, patterns, and textures with the aim of creating a fairytale book scene. The romanticized visual appeal of the style is beautifully reflected in this gallery wall that features plenty of florals and other rich natural elements. The variety of frames and colors matches the whimsical decor pieces on the fireplace.
11. Botanical Charm
Plants have an important spot in cottagecore aesthetics. Botanical elements are able to add the necessary natural touch that contributes to the overall comfort of the room. It’s not really physical, but emotional comfort that plants provide due to establishing closeness to nature. While a few potted plants can bring some subtle cottagecore vibes, it’s recommended to opt for a large variety of different botanical specimens. Trailing vines and indoor trees can all safely belong together in a cottagecore room.
12. Metal Bed
A classic cottagecore bedroom will typically feature a metal bed. The durable frame of this kind of bed provides some nice rustic flair to the space. It’s flawlessly matched by the beauty of paneled walls and wooden furniture. If the naturally dark frame of a metal bed doesn’t feel very inviting, consider painting it to match the brighter color scheme of the room. Cottagecore enthusiasts take a maximalist approach when decorating the bed as they tend to pile up an assortment of textiles in multiple colorful patterns.
13. Soft Pink Color Palette
Cottagecore has a feminine and romantic character that’s often reflected in the use of pink shades. If you’re searching for an ideal color palette to match this aesthetic, you can’t go wrong with delicate tones of pink. When paired with other soft hues, the subtle contrast can elevate the pink look and result in peak cottagecore moodiness. You don’t necessarily have to go for a total soft pink makeover. A few distinctive elements such as patterned curtains and fresh flowers are able to provide cottagecore charm with minimal effort.
14. Colorful Dining Room
A generous pop of color can revamp any traditional rustic dining room into cottagecore territory. The distressed wooden cabinet looks stunning here thanks to its artful display of colorful plates and other charming trinkets. The greenery on the shelves mirrors the natural beauty of the table centerpiece while the large amount of natural sunlight entering the room produces an inviting effect. This feels like a very cozy spot to enjoy meals together with your guests.
15. Clawfoot Tub
Using a clawfoot tub is among the most effective ways to create a cottagecore design in the bathroom. The Victorian appeal of a cast-iron tub is further enhanced by other vintage elements in the room such as the small cabinet with a distressed wood finish. It’s not easy incorporating a clawfoot tub in a modern bathroom without making it appear out of place. That’s why this cottagecore remodel features a rich variety of subtle elements to maintain visual cohesiveness. Great examples include the vintage scale and farmhouse floating shelf.
16. Handcrafted Items
Authenticity and originality are highly prized by the cottagecore aesthetic. Handcrafted items take center stage as opposed to mass-produced things. There’s a distinctive feeling of comfiness provided by a handcrafted object that took considerable effort and creative skill to make. It’s recommended to decorate your cottagecore interior with the help of beautiful ceramics, stylish artworks, and other handmade stuff. Combining various handcrafted elements together can result in a truly charming vignette that offers strong cottagecore appeal.
17. Wood-Burning Stove
No cottage feels complete without a wood-burning stove that represents a major influence on the coziness of the ambiance. This is a good design idea if you want to bring an authentic cottagecore vibe into your home. A working stove puts you in a relaxing mood while contributing to a charming aesthetic together with floral prints and comfy textiles. This room shows off a prominent Scandinavian inspiration that puts a fresh twist on typical cottagecore aesthetics.
18. Moody Paint
Once you’ve decided on the right furnishings and decor accents to use for your cottagecore space, there’s still the problem of tying all the elements together. This can be achieved with the help of a moody paint makeover. Check out this earthy tone of green that adds a new dimension of beauty to the wall and fireplace in this cottagecore room. It provides the perfect nature-inspired backdrop to display an assortment of vintage decorations or rustic furniture.
19. Detail-Rich Display
Subtlety may not be cottagecore’s strongest point. This aesthetic thrives on a multitude of rich details to make an authentic visual impact. Using just one or two vintage decorations won’t be able to properly evoke that cozy cottagecore vibe. It’s recommended to create a more complex display like it’s done here with this stylish collection of vintage items such as apothecary bottles, prints, and crafting accessories. The whimsical details are important because they often tell intriguing stories.
20. Magical Kitchen
A few well-chosen decorative accents can magically transform a rustic kitchen into a cottagecore space. Hanging things from the roof in baskets or using chunky storage jars on the countertop are just a few notable details of this charming kitchen. The farmhouse sink is a pleasure to use considering the gorgeous view of the garden outside. Thanks to the sage green cabinets and rustic ceiling beams, this kitchen invokes a potent cottagecore vibe.
