Our house isn’t just a place; it’s a personal sanctuary — and the last years made this fact clear. Many people transformed their garages into home gyms, turned their closets into office nooks and made all of their renovation dreams come true. At the heart of these renovations is the idea that our homes should be cozy, safe and inviting space that offers a sanctuary from the outside world.
It’s no wonder that many homeowners are subscribing to designs that emanate this feeling. Take cottagecore homes for example. With cottagecore, it’s all about bringing the rural life to your home with vintage-inspired décor, botanical accents and fresh flowers.
Social media is the reason for this movement’s sudden popularity. To date, there have been 3 million posts tagged with the hashtag #cottagecore on Instagram. On TikTok, videos with the same hashtag have racked up to 10 million views. Many people are searching for ways to cozy up to their homes with some twinkle lights, ivy and the other elements of a traditional cottagecore house.
What is Cottagecore Living?
In terms of aesthetics, cottagecore is all about the English countryside living (hence, the name cottagecore). This way of living creates an idealized representation of farm life. It is often expressed through whimsical houseware and flowy dresses.
Cottagecore is an escape from today’s modern living; it romanticizes the timeless simplicity of farm life. People embodying the cottagecore way of life would rather sip on a cup of tea, tend the garden, forage for mushrooms or perfect a sourdough starter — basically any mundane activity that forces people to pause. Sometimes called “countrycore” or “farmcore,” this aesthetic also explores the natural beauty of farm life, everything from the vegetable gardens to the freshly-laid eggs of chickens.
What is a Cottagecore Home?
A cottagecore home should be a place of reflection, utility and comfort. It is a home that promotes a self-reliant lifestyle, like hanging a wicker basket on the front porch or growing dried herbs in the kitchen. Cottagecore houses are also known for their potted plants, vintage décor, rustic wooden furniture and other nostalgic touches.
While cottagecore houses promote a pared-down lifestyle, it doesn’t share minimalism’s focus on clean lines and negative spaces. Sometimes, cottagecore homeowners embrace clutter in their lives. Things like a stack of books beside your bed, skeins of yarn in baskets, rocking chairs with pillows or ingredients left in jars are considered cottagecore décor.
The key characteristics of a cottagecore home include the following:
- Domesticity and coziness
- Focus on sensual and tactile pleasures
- A type of slow-life living seen through rose-colored lenses
- A romantic and wistful take on rustic simplicity
- Bringing nature inside with plants, flowers and other natural elements
- Sustainability
- Using vintage and handcrafted items for decoration
- A focus on self-sufficiency, such as raising your own farm animals, foraging mushrooms and cultivating your own garden
How Do I Cottagecore My House?
Cottagecore living is perfect for homeowners who want a soothing escape within the confines of their homes. In terms of decorating your home in such a way, it’s all about going back in time to live out the dream life in the cottage.
So, how can you transform your current home design into a cottagecore paradise?
Buy Fresh Flower For Your Tables
One of the easiest ways to cottagecore any room is with a bouquet of flowers. Flowers look beautiful, smell great and make people smile. Also, in almost all of the cottagecore posts you see online, the photos and videos show people displaying flowers in the background or picking the flowers themselves.
Some people associate fresh flowers with luxury. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, in the countryside, flowers are everywhere. You can find affordable bouquets at a local farmer’s market or pick wildflowers from your own yard.
Create a Traditional Cottagecore Kitchen
If you want to create a cottagecore feel in your kitchen, shop for key pieces like a Sheila maid and a butler’s sink. Ditch modern seamless quartz or stainless steel sinks; make the switch to traditional enamel versions (which is a standard installation in any 1930s kitchen). Still popular today, these sinks are available in different sizes and shapes.
Use Vintage Furniture
If you want a cottagecore bedroom or cottagecore living room, go vintage with your furniture. Antique furniture, especially pieces that have a French influence or a rustic farmhouse look, are must-haves in any cottagecore home. Vintage furniture does more than go well with the design; it creates a nostalgic vibe needed for any cottagecore space.
If you spot faded fabric or chipped paint, don’t worry! These imperfections add charm to any cottagecore room.
Hang Up Some Wallpaper
With cottagecore, wallpapers are back in style. Vintage wallpaper creates a stunning background to any cottagecore décor, especially if it’s nature-inspired or floral. If you’re not a big fan of putting up your wallpaper, there are many faux wallpaper options that look just as good as vintage wallpaper. Even if you just cover your accent walls with whimsical prints, you can still enjoy a cottagecore vibe at home.
Put Ingredients on Display
Baking, cooking and other homemaking activities give off strong cottagecore vibes, especially in the kitchen. Leaving out produce, herbs, dry ingredients and other items that don’t need refrigeration can be both aesthetically pleasing and convenient. Keep your spices in decorative jars, hang some dried aromatics above the counter or put your fruits in suspended bowls.
Create DIY Pieces
Personalize your cottagecore home by creating someday DIY pieces. Apart from adopting sustainable habits, people that live the cottagecore lifestyle try their hand at creating homemade elements. Why not give flower-pressing a shot? Or make your own cross-stitched artworks.
Add Soft Furnishings
Long curtains, overstuffed pillows, cozy throws and other types of soft furnishings can make any house feel like a cottagecore home. Make your space comfortable by adding a couple of quilts and covering your wooden floors with rugs. Whatever craft you do, displaying something that you made is a simple way to embody the cottagecore aesthetic.
Make Sure the Spaces Feel Lived-In
While not everyone’s a big fan of a cluttered home, leaving out signs of life in your living space is an important factor in cottagecore. Instead of hiding your pots and pans, why not use them as a décor after use? The same applies to your favorite books. Leave them and let everyone see.
Cottagecore is where aesthetics meet comfort and old memories. If you’re a big fan of this way of living, incorporate it into your home.
