If you've spent any time online over the past few years then you've no doubt seen examples of cottagecore: a cosy interior trend based around a rural aesthetic. But what exactly is cottagecore and how can you incorporate the look in your home? In this interior style guide, we'll be answering all your cottagecore questions and offering our essential tips for getting the look. We'll cover:
What is cottagecore?
Cottagecore is a popular internet aesthetic that encompasses the rustic elegance and lifestyle of the countryside, and the English countryside is a particularly strong inspiration. Cottagecore celebrates simple living and self-sufficiency as well as homely hobbies such as baking and gardening, alongside pastoral themes — think floral motifs, handcrafted homewares, and vintage-inspired pieces. Thanks to its simplicity and idealism, the cottagecore look offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, which is perhaps why the trend really started to take hold in 2020, only growing in popularity since then.
What's so great about cottagecore décor is that it can be styled no matter the season. Whether it's fresh spring florals or cosy autumn leaves, this trend makes for the perfect interior design choice all year round.
Key features of cottagecore
Because cottagecore is centred around pastoral living, natural motifs and rustic finishes are predominant. Key features of the cottagecore aesthetic include:
Floral patterns | Botanical motifs | Pastel colours | Weathered furniture | Clutter
Floral patterns
Floral motifs are perhaps one of the main defining characteristics of the cottagecore aesthetic and cottagecore interiors. Ditsy florals are most commonly associated with the trend to add a not-so-subtle nod to sunlit wildflower meadows. Whether it's with wallpaper, cushions, blankets, or tableware like Constance, layering floral patterns is a mainstay of cottagecore décor.
Alongside florals, natural elements such as freshly cut flowers and potted plants help to evoke a sense of the self-sufficient countryside lifestyle in any space. Traditional English garden flowers such as roses, foxgloves, lupins, hydrangeas, delphiniums, poppies, daisies, and dahlias work particularly well for the cottagecore look, as well as foliage like ivy.
Botanical motifs
Nature weaves its way through the cottagecore style so, along with plenty of florals, you'll commonly see other botanical motifs. Mushrooms are particularly prominent with this look, as well as fruit displays to give the illusion of freshly picked produce. In spring and summer, strawberries, peaches, and cherries are most usually seen alongside cottagecore interiors, while apples, pumpkins, and mushrooms make for natural décor pieces in the autumn. Of course, you don't have to forage these yourself. Shop-bought fruits can be turned into homely décor if displayed in beautiful serving bowls in the centre of your dining table. If you do decide to forage, just make sure you do so responsibly. You can take a look at the Woodland Trust's guide to responsible foraging for more information.
Pastel colours
Cottagecore represents a romanticised version of country life, so you'll most commonly see natural and pastel-toned colour schemes which add a delicate sweetness to a space. Pastel pink, blue, sage green, and buttery yellow are particularly prominent in a cottagecore colour palette, alongside stony greys, fresh shades of eggshell and cream, and warmer tones like brown and forest green.
Weathered furniture
The cottagecore aesthetic takes a lot of inspiration from traditional farmhouse and cottage interior design. Imperfections are celebrated with this trend and weathered furniture is a common staple among cottagecore décor. You'll often see distressed painted wooden furniture among other vintage pieces to create a look that seems to have been curated over time.
Curated clutter
Finally, clutter can add character and charm to your cottagecore interior décor. Think of this aesthetic as an offshoot of maximalism, with carefully chosen collections dotted around your home. As cottagecore is all about simplicity and simple living, practical objects are often used as ornaments. To get this look, display your favourite tableware, glassware, teapots, and teacups in a freestanding cabinet, combine your favourite art pieces on a gallery wall, or arrange your book collection on open shelving.
How to get the cottagecore look in each room
Cottagecore interiors can add a homely touch to any room, and you don't need to go all out to get the benefits. With a few cosy cottagecore touches, you can get the same look without switching up too much of your interiors. Here, we'll share our ideas for getting the cottagecore aesthetic in your:
Kitchen | Living room | Dining room | Bedroom
Cottagecore kitchen
As the heart of the home and the ultimate space for cosy activities like cooking and baking, the kitchen is the perfect room to inject a touch of cottagecore décor. To get this look — and to show off your cosy hobbies — display all your kitchenware essentials on open shelving.
When storing kitchenware, it helps to group similar items together and add a few decorative extras. For example, keep cookware such as cast iron pans, oven dishes, bakeware, and cake tins together alongside accessories like cookbooks, decorative oil bottles, and other cooking essentials. Not only can this add visual appeal, but everything will be in one place when you need it.
Stylish tableware sets can also make lovely accessories on open kitchen shelving. If you have some extra space in your kitchen, store your tableware in a rustic freestanding cabinet. For a truly cottagecore aesthetic, pick floral ceramics such as Constance, or those with rustic finishes like Kiln, Kiln Green, and our Heritage ranges. Our guide to styling kitchen shelves will give you plenty of inspiration for arranging your kitchenware beautifully.
Keeping pans at the ready on a pan rack is another way to add a decorative yet functional element to your cottagecore kitchen. If you don't have space for a hanging rack, you can install a short curtain rail and add some hooks to get the same rustic look. Alternatively, stack your pans together on your shelves next to the rest of your cookware.
If you’re using plenty of open shelving, allude to a sense of self-sufficiency by keeping any packaging to a minimum. Decant as much as you can into decorative jars. Small sugar bowls can be used to hold sugar as well as tea, coffee, and spices, while jugs can be used to store utensils.
Finally, you can add a few houseplants to finish off the look. Lots of herbs are very easy to grow yourself at home and these make perfect kitchen accessories. Simply pinch a few leaves off as you cook. Our guide to growing herbs at home will offer plenty of growing tips and recipe inspiration to get you started.
Cottagecore living room
A comfortable and cosy trend, cottagecore décor works incredibly well in living rooms. Layering patterned fabrics is the perfect way to get this look in your home, so make sure to add plenty of scatter cushions and blankets across sofas and armchairs. Try to incorporate a few different patterns, including a variety of floral designs as well as rustic gingham prints.
Decorating with tableware around your home also adds to the cottagecore look. Consider how you can use your ceramics in alternative ways in your cottagecore living room. For example, ramekins and cereal bowls can be used to store keys, spare change, and other assorted items. Dinner plates and serving platters can keep decorative items such as candles grouped together and mugs and glasses can be used to store pens, pencils, and other essentials. This is a great way to repurpose your old pieces and breathe new life into tableware that you no longer use to serve food. For even more inspiration, take a look at our tips for using Denby around the home.
Cottage-style living rooms are the ultimate place to show off your furniture collections. A mixture of styles and time periods adds some character and charm to your space, so don't be afraid to incorporate vintage pieces. If you're feeling creative, you can upcycle older styles with a lick of paint, sanding them down to create the distressed look often seen in cottagecore interior design.
Cottagecore dining room
Cottagecore isn't just for your main living spaces. With its focus on cooking and the kitchen, cottagecore can easily be incorporated into the dining room as well. Whether it’s a weeknight meal with your family or a Saturday night dinner party, cottagecore home décor can add an instantly welcoming feel to this space.
Set the table with floral and pastel tableware in shades of pink, blue, green, and grey as well as neutral white and cream. Don't worry about matching — a mixed collection adds to the laid back cottagecore look, and you can easily add a few individual pieces to your current collection. For example, our Heritage Piazza, Orchard, and Veranda ranges can all be mixed and matched to create a unique edit that's perfect for this aesthetic. Alternatively, combine neutral ranges like Kiln with other subdued collections like Studio Grey and White Speckle to create a loosely put-together look. Add to the mismatched décor with a selection of drinkware in different shapes and colours, as well as different napkins, coasters and placemats, and dining chairs or seat cushions.
A natural centrepiece will tie your cottagecore dining room together. Flowers are a simple but highly effective centrepiece option, especially when displayed in a large jug or cafetiere for a more rustic cottage interior aesthetic. However, don't be afraid to think outside the box and use other natural and organic centrepieces such as bowls of seasonal fruit, vegetables, or mushrooms. You can take a look at our table decoration ideas for even more inspiration.
Cottagecore bedroom
Add even more comfort and warmth to your bedroom décor with cottagecore pieces. Just like in your living room, layering floral pieces such as a duvet, blanket, and pillows will add depth and cosiness to your space. If you're up for a bit of DIY, you could make your own patchwork quilt from fabric offcuts or old pieces of clothing.
Alternatively, if you prefer your bedroom décor to be a little more subtle for a sound night's sleep, opt for all white bedding, decorating with other cottagecore pieces. Add a vase of flowers to your bedside table and adorn your walls with pictures of the countryside. Again, you can find alternative uses for tableware pieces by using mugs to store makeup brushes, hand cream and nail files, and cotton pads.
Finally, adding plenty of candles will introduce some cosy countryside lighting. Choose scented candles in relaxing fragrances such as freesia and jasmine to help you unwind at the end of the day, or opt for classic countryside scents like white tea and wisteria or blackcurrant and apple to transform your cottagecore bedroom into a serene cottage garden.
Cottagecore interior design can add some cosiness and rustic charm to your space. Whether you choose to go for full cottage décor or a more pared back style, the tips and ideas above should help you incorporate the essence of cottagecore home décor into any room of your home.
To truly bring the Cottagecore charm into your space, consider enhancing your décor and dining experience with the perfect tableware. Just as Cottagecore celebrates the simple pleasures of life, your choice of tableware and serveware can accentuate the rustic elegance of your home. From delicate floral patterns to earthy ceramics, you'll find a wide choice of beautifully crafted pieces here at Denby. Alternatively, browse the rest of our guides and how tos, where you'll find even more decorating tips for transforming your home into a Mediterranean oasis or a breezy coastal escape.