How to Bring Cottagecore Style into Your Space

Curious about the cottagecore decorating style and looking to incorporate this popular aesthetic into your home? Read on to learn all about what the cottagecore style entails in terms of design and what materials and accents you’ll need to transform your space into a rural-inspired oasis. The good news is that you definitely don’t have to live in a log cabin or log house to enjoy this aesthetic, we promise!

Below, we’ll highlight the cottagecore decorating style along with tips for achieving the look.

What is Cottagecore Decorating?

Cottagecore decorating romanticizes all things rustic and slow. Think traditional English cottages and the magic they evoke. Cottagecore has an element of nostalgia, a nostalgia for simpler times.

Cottagecore design is all about creating a comfortable, lived-in, and patterned space where you can curl up with a good book and a cup of tea or start baking your latest recipe. Cottagecore lovers love DIY decor—they might sew their own curtains, knit their own blankets, or do some needlepoint—and also take inspiration from nature in their designs.

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decorating ideas, design tips, and more!

Cottagecore Decor Features

Cottagecore is a maximalist style that emphasizes the use of lots of color—often pastel—to create a cheerful, welcoming home.

Cottagecore isn’t about matching furniture sets or streamlined pieces. Instead, bring in some wood, antiques and vintage pieces, repurposed furniture, and mix and match to create your cottagecore design. Cottagecore decorating is a great opportunity to incorporate family heirlooms into your home.

Remember that these items don’t have to serve their original purpose. For example, a secretary’s desk can double as a nice drinks cart in your living room. Ultimately, keep technology to a minimum in your home.

How to Add Cottagecore to Your Space

You can add cottagecore style to your space by using a variety of colors and patterns. Floral designs, checkerboard, ruffles, and more are all welcome in a cottagecore home. Choose vintage-looking finishes over shiny, new options when choosing hardware and other accents for your space. Also, use natural accents and make eco-friendly choices when decorating your cottagecore home. Bring nature into your home and reuse items when possible.

For example, turn empty Mason jars into flower vases or repurpose wooden fruit crates and use them to store everyday kitchen or bathroom essentials. Make the most of leftover fabric scraps and use them to create your own tablecloths or coasters.

Cottagecore Decorating Tips

• Look for old stuff. Thrift shopping and cottagecore go hand in hand. Head to your local antique or thrift store to find affordable items that you can enjoy in your own home. Whether you use the items for their intended purpose or repurpose them to suit your needs is entirely up to you. Ultimately, cottagecore is all about ingenuity and creativity!
• Combine patterns. Cottagecore isn’t about being minimalist and devoid of color and pattern, but about mixing different textures to create a warm, homey look. Don’t be afraid to mix and match textures within a single room—doing so will help you achieve this aesthetic in no time.
• Combine fresh flowers. Even if you don’t have your own garden growing outside your window, you should still try to bring the outdoors in by decorating with fresh flowers. Keep the theme going by weaving all sorts of floral elements (printed pillows, blankets, curtains, etc.) into your space.
• Accept handmade. Make your own crafts to display around your home or visit artisan-run shops. Avoid buying items from big box stores unless absolutely necessary; a cottagecore home is about collectibles and uniqueness, not stereotypes.
• Skip trending posts. Related to the above, cottagecore is less about embracing fleeting trends and more about aiming for timeless designs. You don’t want your cottagecore home to look exactly like everyone else’s, so resist the temptation to buy furniture that you see in everyone else’s home—or if you do go this route, think about how you can customize or alter a piece to make it more your own.