Picture this: a cozy, 19th-century cottage nestled in the English countryside. The stone walls are covered with climbing vines, there is a homemade blackberry pie sitting on the windowsill, and the garden is filled with ripe vegetables and fresh flowers ready to be hung and dried.
If that imagery fills you with a wistful delight, you’re not alone. Countless people have been bringing that same imagery to the modern era. How do they do it? One word: cottagecore.
What Is Cottagecore?
Cottagecore encompasses many things for many people. In most cases, “cottagecore” refers to an aesthetic or style that embodies the idealized images of life in the countryside, especially the 18th to 19th-century English countryside. This aesthetic often emphasizes ideas such as:
- Vintage-inspired clothing, such as long skirts, aprons, and sunhats
- Nature inspirations such as wildflowers, gardens, and birds
- Home skills like baking, gardening, canning, and embroidery
- Items that emphasize comfort, like knit fabrics
Some people have taken this beyond an aesthetic and turned it into a lifestyle that embraces simplicity, minimalism, and doing things yourself. But for our purposes, we’re focusing on what makes a cottagecore aesthetic and how to achieve it.
Why Cottagecore Is So Popular
There isn’t one answer as to why cottagecore is so popular, but we may find an answer by looking at the Transcendentalist movement. Back then, people responded to the rapidly changing world of the Industrial Revolution by idealizing bygone days and turning back toward nature and simplicity. And with the recent rush of bleak events, people seem to be longing for a time when things were simpler.
Tips for Pulling Off a Cottagecore Style
Once you know what the cottagecore aesthetic is, knowing how to pull it off isn’t especially difficult. All it takes is combining the elements already mentioned in a tasteful way. Here are some simple ways to do it:
Incorporate Vintage Styles
For some, a vintage-inspired home means adding whimsical, patterned wallpaper and antique furniture pieces to a room. But you can add a vintage flair without decorating like Laura Ingles Wilder. Simply adding a few statement pieces like an older art piece or smaller accessories like lanterns or old books will add plenty of old-fashioned charm to your space.
Embrace Nature
One of the hallmarks of a cottagecore room is plant life. Hanging dried flowers from the ceiling or bringing in potted plants is the most obvious way to do this. But you can also “embrace the natural.” Highlighting the woodwork in your home or emphasizing natural lighting will also add a natural, cottagecore air.
Bring in Comfort
Cottages and coziness go hand in hand. When you’re decorating, look for little ways to add comfort to the room. Consider things like decorating with quilts. Soft, gentle mood lighting is also a great way to make any room feel like the cottage of your dreams.
