If you have been on social media recently, you may have noticed a trend for a cottage style aesthetic that feels cosy and slow-paced. This trend has become known as Cottagecore. In this post, I will share what exactly is Cottagecore and why it is so charming.
How do beautiful and aesthetic cottages far away in the middle of nowhere sound that has a rural charm to them along with loads of wildflowers? There are hanging flower baskets full of flowers and a home that feels cosy, have a safe and inviting look, and provides an escape from the loud and busy outside world? Sounds ideal in our busy world.
I think the reason Cottagecore became so popular was due to the collapse of hustle culture. People are waking up to the overworking, busy life that social media was selling us the past few years.
While running off to the woods to live in a cute cottage may not be realistic for everyone, you can incorporate some of the Cottagecore ways into your life to add some balance.
What is Cottagecore?
In simple words, Cottagecore is a movement that started last year during early lockdown times to bring back the agricultural life and look.
It is a concept of bringing skills and crafts to the surface and embracing a simpler life and sustainable existence methods that do not require much effort.
It is similar to the English countryside living style that includes a hint of nostalgia, romance, and poetry. It reminds me a bit of the shabby chic trend from a few years ago.
The main idea behind it is of pretty countryside cottages in a beautiful and healthy environment and greenery that is far away from the loud and bustling city life.
The Internet has recently filled up with inspirational images on the Cottagecore lifestyle, and it includes multiple designs of how you could design your house according to your taste.
It includes photos of flower-laden trellises, wooden pathways to the cottage decorated with beautiful stones and flowers of different colours and sizes.
Why has Cottagecore become so popular?
While the Cottagecore trend started to emerge back in 2017, many people were still unaware of what it was. In 2019, it began to gain popularity on Tiktok when people started posting videos of cottages that were decorated with a romantic aesthetic.
Since then, it became a large part of the community and began trending on Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest. It helped create a concept amongst people living an ideal farm life that was wholesome yet simple and endearing, connecting them back to the roots and old times.
Ever since Taylor Swift embraced the Cottagecore charm in her recent album Folklore, the Cottagecore concept reached out to many people.
In one of her music videos, she was seen posing in the woods wearing cosy clothes that had a raw and pure feeling to them instead of being too glamorized as music videos usually are. Her video created the perfect Cottagecore aesthetic along with a touch of romanticism.
What is the philosophy behind Cottagecore?
By definition, Cottagecore is the idea of an aesthetic of living a simple and dreamy life that is far away from the harsh realities. It encourages investing time in a fun and old-school activities that most of us have forgotten today, such as baking, pottery, decoration, and gardening.
It encourages individuals to strengthen their basic life skills by connecting with nature, staying away from a processed and robotic life, and creating a cosy and lovable environment to live in with comfort.
Also, it helps you celebrate an idealistic rural life that is in harmony with nature.
How to get a Cottagecore look in your home?
If you would get to jump in on the Cottagecore trend and want to transform your home to make it look a bit more lively, cosy, and inviting, then there are a few things you will have to do.
While it might be difficult for you but reducing technology use in your home will bring a huge positive impact. Bring in different plants and herbs in your house to introduce more fresh air and fresh scents.
If possible, build a small outdoor garden that includes herbs and plants of your choice, as well as an outdoor place where you can relax and have your morning tea.
Cottagecore decorating tips
Below are a few more decorating tips in detail for your house according to the Cottagecore aesthetic theme.
- Use natural materials
If you want to create a look that is similar to a cottage and closer to nature, then it is recommended that you use natural materials at home. When setting up your bedroom or the living room, go for wooden or vintage furniture, use baskets for placing things inside, and use vintage decoration pieces for the tables and walls.
- Change the colour and texture
The wall colours and texture play a crucial role if you want to pair up with the Cottagecore aesthetic and look. Go for wall colours that are more calming, close to nature, and have earthy tones such as white, cream, and brown. Hang different coloured baskets on the walls with beautiful flowers inside, and opt for lace cloth on tables and pastel-coloured throws on your sofas and chairs.
- Add in soft décor
We’re sure no one likes to live in a place that is cluttered or decorated with extra furniture or items. Keep in mind that you have to stay minimal and add in soft furnishing to create an appealing look. Include scented candles on your dinner table, hang minimal art frames on your wall, set up lamps with soft and cosy lighting, and place green plants in every room of the house.
Cottagecore: As an Internet Fashion
You might be surprised to know that the Cottagecore trend is not only restricted to home décor and nature, but it has become widely popular as an internet fashion. There are people today who choose to dress up and style themselves the Cottagecore way.
This includes wearing a peasant blouse, old-style maxis, and dresses. Girls prefer to opt for pastel colours such as greens, blues, yellows, and whites, along with keeping in mind the floral range and the style of the popular check.
There are popular stores today that are selling Cottagecore style outfits as well as Cottagecore boots that include slip-on, booties, rain boots, and floral soft laced shoes, which give off princess vibes.
I have noticed the likes of H&M embracing Cottagecore charm with their Summer dress collections.
Why I love Cottagecore
While I feel a bit old for jumping on Tik Tok trends, I love the idea of Cottagecore because it promotes feminine energy. The energy of slowing down, allowing, and just being.
I think we all have had information hangovers from our devices the past year, and I have wanted to run off to the woods at times and live off the land. If you want to read more posts about the impact of social media, click here.
While we can’t all run to the woods to live, I have found ways to be in nature since restrictions have lifted. I love visiting the woods, hiking when I can, and visiting cute gardens.
I also love that the Cottagecore trend promotes recycling and reusing furniture and textiles. To learn more about furniture upcycling, click here.
Let me know if you are a fan of the Cottagecore trend and what it is about it that you find so charming. Comment below, or head to my Instagram to share.
Thanks for reading! Catherine.
I love this new style, calm, feminine, elegant without been too girlish. As for the first picture of the Stone Cottage, that is my dream house, with the beautiful entrance of lavender leading up to the front door.
Hi Catherine! I have embraced the cottage aesthetic over quite a few years. It takes me away from a world that is often hard to to make sense of and visually surrounds me with things that are simple and peaceful. It’s always a pleasant way to start my day by looking at beautiful cottage photos on IG and the majority of pages I follow on FB are focused on the topic. I know that social media has a dark side but I believe that you can make these sites work for you by carefully choosing who you follow. I’m just a big believer in bringing simple beauty into your life and the happiness that comes with it. Thanks for another lovely post. ~ Johanna
I love this trend. I think I was cottagecore before it was a thing. Lol but I have always wanted to feel like I’m stepping into another world when I come home.
The first time I heard “cottagecore” was from an american youtuber, and I honestly cringed; it was another “label” on a style that seemed natural/organic to some, and so forced for those trying to follow a trend.
Your article has made me shed my first impression on the word, and start an appreciation to the the style!! You wrote this blog post so poetically 🙂 Your description of cottagecore made me automatically feel cozy, and brought the word “fairytale” to my mind 🙂 When people ask me my decor style, I always say “I aim for magical and want it to feel like a cottage in the woods in a fairytale” :-p (even though my house is most certainly not a little magical cottage in the woods lol but I try). I honestly ADMIRE your home, I’ve said it many times lol it is so cozy, lived in, and obviously filled with things that you love 🙂 Thanks for sharing Catherine, can’t wait for your next video! 🙂
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It is so pretty isn’t it, that is of a house I seen a few years ago when I stayed in the station house x
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Lol me too! Im obsessed with cosy cottages x
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Thanks so much for reading and sharing that Johanna x x x
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I love that Ashley! Thanks so much for sharing that x I know, I don’t think your home should be a “trend”, it should be full of all the magical things that you enjoy x
I am moving from the middle of a city, to a cottage in the country which we have just purchased in the next few weeks, I can’t wait to embrace cottagecore! It has exposed stone walls in the sitting room as it was an old stable. I have no idea how to style it, so I am looking forward to getting started! Thanks for the tips!
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Aww this sounds so romantic, congratulations! Enjoy every minute of it x
I will. There’s a particularly ugly coloured fireplace surround in the kitchen! I think that will be the first job i tackle! I will be stalking your page!! Thank you
Catherine – I think you are the perfect example of cottage aesthetics! My friend and I chat about how we adore your style, decor and ease to life. I would love to have my own little cottage someday. ❤️
Hi Catherine, I’ve commented on your videos in the past (and recommended you to a few folks!). I’m a Brooklynite of “a certain age” (I think I may be old enough to be your mum!), and love how you just sort of dive into things and if they don’t go well you shrug it off.
This caught my eye for a different reason, though – have you heard of a different movement called “Cabincore”? It’s similar to “cottagecore” in its feel – but it’s a little more…rustic, where it’s reminding you of a cabin in the woods as opposed to a cottage in a meadow. If Cottagecore had a tomboy for a sister it’d be Cabincore.
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OOOH I have never heard of this but I am all for it! I am off down. Pinterest rabbit hole of cabincore! Thanks for sharing Kim
I have always loved the cottage look. My taste in clothes when I dress up is and has always been old fashioned. My BFF always told me that I dressed to old. However, it always makes me happy to find something old that I can use in my little cottage. I love to go to the pickers because they usually have great finds taken out of old houses. I truly believe that I am leaving less of a footprint in the world by up cycling.
I have forayed into cottagecore, I think, from a love for vintage and having a few of my Memaw’s things and a desire to decorate with them but not in a “theme-y” way. I do not want everything in our house to be part of a “mass produced” look, even though it is impossible to avoid mass produced items, like I want dishwasher safe dishes, for example, not antique ones as the everyday dishes. I do not embrace everything cottagecore but the aspects that work well realistically. I have 50 houseplants, and I love the slow sweet tea-on-the-porch lifestyle. Home is a sanctuary and place to slow down. I love the vintage items and the cozy restful news here at home. I like the white and light colors and do not veer into bohemian or maximalist with the look. This has always been my look with white and light pops of color and I think cottagecore. I was never shabby enough for shabby chic, never the other cottage types for any of those types, either, though I am in a one level rancher with a cottage feel. It is just nice
Wish I could send photos: Just remodeled/redecorated my French Normandy home in fav pinks, teals and whites. All new wallpaper everywhere, antiques and traditional furniture, china of every kind, handcrafted teal backsplash in mermaid design teal, blush stools and chairs and oversized teal sofa, it is a French/English Cottage, GLAM, Coastal look and I get raves. Much more entertaining. Made my first Cottage Pie yesterday. YUM!