Escape into the nostalgia of those beautiful country houses surrounded by open green fields where you can run barefoot and feel your surroundings awaken your senses. While you may not have personally experienced this, making the ‘nostalgia’ part a little redundant, you can still recreate this feeling in your home. The Cottagecore aesthetic aims to bring the simple lifestyle of rural living to your modern home. With no harsh lines and no minimalist furniture, Cottagecore interiors are all about softness, fluidity, nature and no negative spaces.
What is the Cottagecore Aesthetic?
Imagine the setting of a countryside home from a Jane Austen novel and then try adapting that aesthetic to modern-day architecture. The Cottagecore aesthetic alludes to the old English countryside with varying patterns, earthy tones, light fabrics and some antique or refurbished furniture.
The nostalgic aspect of this style is not based on a memory of something that has happened to you personally but refers to the memory of simpler times; when interior design was not about specific colours, patterns and furniture.
Always Know The Basics
Cottagecore interiors walk on a thin line between bohemian and traditional interior design styles. It is all about putting everything you own out there for the world to see. Whether it is display pieces, artwork or kitchen utensils, Cottagecore interiors encourage a more open and maximalist design. Soft colours such as light yellow and brown, sage and lavender are common but not the only colours you’ll find in this style. Patterns play a very huge role in making up Cottagecore interiors.
As far as the furniture is concerned, focus on furniture pieces with soft edges and simple designs. Refurbished wood and metal are common furniture materials used for this style. Along with that, nature is an important element of this style. Incorporating plants with floral designs and decorations is a must.
Living Room Vibes
There are two ways you can go about setting up your Cottagecore-style living room. You can use super simple furniture pieces like a wooden bench with wooden armchairs or a rocking chair. Pair these up with a lot of plants, flowy curtains, floor lamps, wooden shelves and a rustic coffee table. On the other hand, you can go for a cozy vibe with your traditional couch and armchairs paired with a deep-coloured rug and a fireplace to provide warmth. Add a chandelier and some wall lights, some side tables and a simple coffee table to complete the look.
Keep It All Out In The Kitchen
This style is all about displaying everything you have for everyone to see. Hanging your pots and pans is a common trope in Cottagecore design. To add some more aesthetic value to the kitchen you can hang a few herbs by the windowsill or in the area above the island. Don’t be shy to paint your cabinets a fun colour and add some potted plants around the kitchen as well.
Keep in mind, the Cottagecore style kitchen is about keeping it bare. Leave the walls unpainted, especially if you have brick walls, wooden floorboards, or even concrete floors left bare look great. The word “bare” here does not mean negative spaces. You can leave the area bare by not painting it or covering it with a rug, but you can always hang some wall art, jute basket lids, wood-carving decoration and more. Additionally, you can add antique elements like copper or brass tapware, antique handles for the drawers and cabinets, etc.
A Breezy Dining Experience
A light and breezy atmosphere is the goal here but we would recommend starting out with a heavily patterned rug (Persian or jute) for the dining room floor. A simple metal or wooden dining table will do the trick as you will anyway have to cover it with a dining table cover. The Cottagecore design is not so much about showing off the simplicity of the furniture but more about the display of creativity. A floral dining table covered with some floral arrangements would be perfect for this style.
Additionally, fancy candle stands add a mystical touch to the room and provide excellent lighting for dinners. Furthermore, it is important to not leave the walls bare here. Painted walls or wallpapers are also welcome and can be covered with as many artworks, embroideries and other decorative items as you want.
A Plain Bedroom
Many interior design styles tend to have a lot of ideas that you can try out for the bedroom. However, the Cottagecore style is all about keeping it plain. Soft-coloured cotton sheets on a metal bedframe are basically all you need. For the bedroom specifically, we would suggest getting white or very light-coloured flowy curtains. To complete the look, side tables made from refurbished wood will fit perfectly. The contrast between the metal bedframe, the light-coloured bedding and the rough side tables will result in something truly unique.
For the rest of the room, a wooden dressing table with a mirror attached and a little stool is what you need. You can fill the walls with elegant artwork and add some dried flowers in the room for a pop of colour.
Bathe in Peace
Ideally, a bathtub works best for a Cottagecore style house. The bathroom is where you can let all your gardening desires flourish too. Place as many potted plants in the area around the tub, you can opt for plants that need a lot of water as watering them in the bathroom shouldn’t be a problem. If you plan on putting a curtain separating the bathing and toilet area, go for some unique and colourful patterns.
If you don’t have a bathtub, get yourself a big brass or copper showerhead. If you’ve got a laundry hamper and bins in the room, go for jute baskets with or without lids. For the lighting go for antique wall light fixtures. Furthermore, if you can then try to have a big window in the bathroom for plenty of natural light that would be perfect.
It’s Just That Simple
You really don’t have to do much to achieve this look. Cottagecore interiors are easygoing and soothing to the eyes. From potted plants to an unabashed display of your belongings, this style is meant for those who are ready to embrace country living. So, if you have a knack for making your own furniture pieces from old furniture or just like to have a space that feels like a breath of fresh air, this style is for you!
