The cottagecore aesthetic movement celebrates the idealized look of nature and country life. This movement has evolved into much more than a design aesthetic; it is now a way of life. The cottagecore aesthetic embodies embracing a simple way of life that gets back to nature and quiet, homey pursuits.

What is Cottagecore Aesthetic Style?

The term can be understood in parts: the word “cottage” is explainable as the style echoes the English cottage design and style. The suffix “core” serves to explain the central nature of cottage life and design in the cottagecore aesthetic.

The cottagecore style became a more significant cultural movement in the late 2010s and early 2020s. This was due in large part to influencers on social media and celebrities like Taylor Swift and the promotional pictures of her album ‘Folklore’. The popularity of the cottage core aesthetic can be seen as a reaction to the creep of technology into our lives, much like the Arts and Crafts Movement at the turn of the 20th century. Also, there is an emphasis on sustainability and personal wellness that is attractive to many people.

Bill Mathews

The cottage design aesthetic is all about comfort and simplicity. Many homes featuring this look utilize vintage and antique items that bring warmth and a homey feel to the space. They also bring the natural world into their home spaces, so fresh flowers and branches are always welcome. In addition, handmade items are given pride of place.

Cottagecore Interior Design

Let’s take a look at some inspirational pictures of classic cottagecore rooms that we have gathered. We will see what some of these gorgeous cottagecore interiors have in common.

The Gamekeeper’s Kitchen

Anya Rice Photography

This kitchen, featured by Anya Rice Photography, is a good example of cottagecore interior design. Notice the open shelves with colorful books and cookware. The wooden chairs have a mismatched style and look like they were collected over time. The wooden beams in the ceiling are a common architectural feature in English cottages and the perfect addition to cottagecore design.

Cottagecore Living Room

Unique Homestays

Here is another quintessential example of cottage core interior style. It features layered surfaces with cozy throws and floral pillows. The designers have incorporated fresh flowers and plants into each room. The wide plank wood floors are ideal for the simple cottage style. Another architectural feature common in cottage design styles is wood paneled walls.

Country Home Bathroom

Vaughan Design and Development

The wooden beams are just the architectural touch to set off the cottage style of this bathroom. Other elements, like the colorful clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, and hanging plants, accentuate its cottagecore style.

Refined Cottagecore Bedroom

M&P Design Group

Not all cottagecore is a riot of color and design. Cottagecore can be more minimal in color and pattern. This bedroom design from M & P Design Group is painted in a subtle shade of sage green. The iron bed with the various textured pillows and wicker light sconces gives the room a quiet sense of comfort.

Colorful Laundry Room

Meet West Studio

Laundry would not be such a tiresome chore in this gorgeous cottagecore laundry room design from Meet West Studio. They have used colorful wallpaper and balanced it with a soft sea green cabinet color. The open shelves with the storage baskets make laundry detergent and other essentials quick to grab.

Cottagecore Design Tips

Cottagecore Design Tips

There has been criticism of the cottage aesthetic as not authentic and too exclusive to certain groups. But cottagecore style can work for anyone who wants to incorporate this design aesthetic into their home and life. Here are a few ways that you can do just that.

Antique and Vintage Items

Incorporate furniture and home decorations that are considered vintage or antique. These items often have a weathered or well-used look that is common to the homey and comfortable style of cottagecore design.

Well-Placed Technology

The design style of cottagecore does not include the cords and screens of modern technology. Therefore, it is important to find ways to hide cords and screens when they are not in use. This can include the use of cottagecore furniture like large cabinets for TVs or well-placed holes to feed cords through.

Natural Elements

The cottagecore style includes the incorporation of the outdoors into the inside of the home. This includes bringing in nature like flowers, plants, seashells, and branches into your home. Consider also adding botanical drawings and objects using natural elements like wood, wool, and leather to the home. In addition to the other elements, use fabrics that portray nature, like fun floral fabrics.

Use Plenty of Baskets

Modern cottagecore is all about the simple comforts of home. Nothing says homey comfort quite like a basket filled with books, cozy blankets, and puzzles. Use large and small baskets anywhere that you need to create storage in living rooms where people gather or in bedrooms near your bedside tables.

Wooden Furniture

If you are looking to create the cottage core style, forgo the modern acrylic side table for a wooden one. Wooden furniture is ideal for cottagecore interior design. It still looks fitting in these rooms, even when it gets dings and scratches in the course of everyday life.

Just Add Books

Curling up with a cup of tea and a good book is cottagecore 101. Incorporate vintage and antique books as well as books that have the cottagecore design aesthetic in style or in content.

Mix Color and Texture

Cottagecore design style takes so many of its cues from English country style. Many of these English cottages feature colorful interiors that layer texture and pattern. This includes a mix of plaid, floral, and toile, all combined together to create a look of “lived-in style.” Try to layer textures, including fluffy wool, nubby jute, woven wicker, and soft cotton.

Wallpaper

Layer more color and texture with the use of wallpaper. There are so many amazing styles of wallpaper these days, from the sophisticated to the casual.

Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes are not necessary for cottagecore, but they can help soften the look of a room and make it appear more romantic in style. Use country style curtains with ruffles or choose more understated cafe style curtains over a kitchen counter or in a bathroom.

Open Shelves

Cottagecore interiors are simple and unaffected. Open shelves are great for this, as you can display colorful dishes and bakeware. Mugs and teacups are always handy when you want to make the perfect cup of tea.

Architectural Features

If you have the time and means, you can accentuate cottagecore style with architectural features in your home. Add faux or real wooden beams to your ceiling to give your home the look of a cottage. Wooden paneling, shiplap paneling, tiled ceilings, and wood floors are another way to bring the simple cottage look inside.