The cottagecore aesthetic has become a bit of a movement over the last year, it’s lived in, whimsical and romanticises rural, slow living. But the good news is that you don’t have to own an idyllic cottage in the countryside to revel in the beauty of this laidback design trend.
Backed by a soft, muted colour palette, the design trend pivots on soothing colours that feel good to be around, with lots of natural materials and vintage touches for that nod to traditionalism, and lived in spaces.
What Is Cottagecore?
Think cosy cottages, vintage charm, whimsical prints and a connection to nature. This design trend is an interior and lifestyle aesthetic that romanticises rural, slow living.
Characterised by a soft, muted colour palette, creating a warm, living in space that feels nostalgic, whimsical and comforting. Pattern play is key with florals playing an integral part in pulling this scheme together.
Cottagecore Paint Colours
Unstimulating, soothing colours are at the heart of cottagecore design. Soft muted colours such as sage green, dusty rose, cream and warm whites are welcomed.
1.Pattern Pairing
A true cottagecore interior is one that is drenched with pattern, and plenty of it. Floral, dainty delicate patterns and stripes are the most predominant type of patterns.
Employ pattern through upholstery and textiles such as through curtains, cushions, chairs and rugs. It creates a wonderfully tactile and lived in space.
2.Lived In Modern Neutrals
Warm off-whites and elevated neutrals are the perfect starting point to help you build out your cottagecore scheme.
Lean into whites with yellow, red and pink undertones that will bring natural warmth to any room. Oxford Stone by Farrow and Ball is one of my favourites.
3.Leaning Into The Period of The Property
Owning a cottage is not an essential for this design trend, but it can be easier to lean into the inherent quirks of a cottage property.
Exposed wooden beams and embracing authentic natural wooden flooring help to blend English countryside charm with a whimsical aesthetic. And, if you’re committed to the cause, you can create realistic looking wooden beams yourself, finishing with a wood stain such as the Frenchic Browning Wax.
4.Wooden Accents
Natural materials, specifically wood feature heavily throughout cottagecore design. I adore this sweet kitchen design, swapping popular quartz or laminate for an authentic, lived in wooden worktop.
Wood is something that can easily be incorporated into a room be it with shelving (like the below) or a wooden piece of furniture.
5.Flowers, & Plenty of Them Are A Must!
One key thing about cottagecore design? A connection to nature is so important for that idolised rural escape. Whilst houseplants are important inside, a floral filled pathway to your front door and beautifully kept planters will create a whimsical, colourful feel.
6.Embrace Soft Colours
Sage greens, pinks and duck egg blues are all accepted here. Keep your walls and ceiling grounded with a warm neutral, and bring in soft muted shades in a few accent areas to add to the warmth and overall character and whimsy feel of the room.
7.Stripes, Plaid & Ruffles
If you find the thought of pairing patterns daunting, you really can’t go wrong with these simple guidelines, and in fact, you can get away with a little more in cottagecore design anyway.
Pairing a simple, delicate floral print with a more structured stripe is a fail safe pattern combination, yet it will allow your interiors to look super styled each and every time. Don’t forget ruffle trimmed fabrics and cushions too, they help to add to that sense of feminism.
8.A Cosy Log Burner Fire
English countryside charm is very much about those ambient, and super cosy wood fires in the winter, and they just help to build up that cosy, traditional aesthetic.
Don’t have access to one? No bother! Focus on introducing lots of lovely kinetic lighting instead through tapered candles, pillar candles and beyond to build a warming, cosy aesthetic.
9.Sage Green For A Connection To Nature
Not only is sage green one of the easiest colours for us to perceive visually, but it keeps us in connection to nature, especially important in a cottagecore interior.
Lean into the softest sage green tones through textiles, lighting and paint. Houseplants are another beautiful way to introduce some natural touches of green too.
10.Kitsch Sink Curtains
With a touch of nostalgia, sink curtains /lower cabinet curtains are a must have feature when pulling your kitchen design together.
They’re fab for hiding a multitude of sins, or plumbing, and you can engage with a pretty floral pattern to add to your overall colour scheme.
11.Vintage Touches For A Lived In Feel
Mismatched furniture, old books, antique style decor – vintage touches are your new best friend here.
Scour Facebook marketplace or flea markets for odd frames, vases, and pieces of furniture to create a warm, lived in space that is full of character and blended memories.
12.Dainty Wallpaper
Dainty, delicate patterns are key in a cottagecore interior. Consider using wallpaper to elevate a bedroom for a cosy, warm and interior led space.
Dainty sweetpea florals are a popular choice, combining soothing colours such as greens and pinks for a wonderful base to work from.
13.English Countryside Charm
Create a cottagecore inspired kitchen like the below, adding brick slips for a backsplash, wooden shelving, dainty patterns and British mugs and tableware in traditional designs for a whole encompassing cottagecore feel.
Cuppa tea and a slice of cake pending.
14.A Connection To Nature
Creating that connection to nature throughout your interior will create that inside, outside feel. Set the tone for what is to come inside with plenty of plants, planters and trees.
If you have unsightly slabs or pathway, elevating with some gravel is one of the most cost effective but beautiful ways to finish it.
15.Floral Patterns Throughout
Don’t shy away from pattern, and be compelled to use it through curtains, cushions, wallpaper, bedding and furniture.
The combination of hues and patterns creates a beautifully British, and very nostalgic aesthetic.
16.Add Some Panelling
Looking for a way to elevate your kitchen, or perhaps entryway? Tongue and groove panelling is enduringly popular and has been used in interiors for decades.
It brings a traditional finish to a kitchen like shown in the photo below, paint in a warm neutral for a cottage inspired look.
17.Natural Materials
Similar to the earthy inspired design trend, natural materials play an integral role in building that warm, cosy aesthetic that cottagecore style creates.
Wood, linen, stone and wicker should be used throughout your design, even small touches from decor accessories such as baskets and lighting are all you need to give that nod to the outside world.
18.An Eclectic Gallery Wall
I love a gallery wall, and they really fall into place here by introducing vintage touches with an array of frames and nostalgic family photos for a warming, lived in ambience.
If you’re looking for tips on building your own, take a look at my post on building and thrifting an eclectic gallery wall.
19.Sweet Window Treatments
Blinds aren’t an option here. Delicate window treatments that enhance your windows will pay dividends.
Think cafe curtain chic, sweet curtains (like the below) and heavily patterned full length curtains to frame a window.
20.Embracing Traditional Details
For those that are lucky enough to have their own cottage, it goes without saying that you should do everything you can to pay homage to the property, and be sympathetic to the details it has.
Think exposing wooden beams, bare exposed brick and adding back in traditional features such as farmhouse shutters that may have originally stood in their place.
21.Soft, Muted Colour Palette
Instead of a clinical bright white, lean into soft, warm off-whites for a muted colour palette that’s uncomplicated, but still cosy.
This gorgeous bathroom below is the perfect example of this, albeit a bright and airy scheme, the natural wooden beams bring some definition with soft touches of colour and pattern through the textiles and wallpaper.
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