Trend Focus: What Is Cottagecore?

By Ana Zuravliova

Trend Specialist at Blinds Direct

Tue 5 Jan 2021

As eagle-eyed readers may have already seen in our Interior Design Trends 2021 blog, Cottagecore is a trend sweeping the world of interior design. An amalgamation of muted neutral colours, intentional clutter and a twist of nostalgia, Cottagecore has been a hit on social media that’s rapidly filtering into homes both near and far.

Where did Cottagecore come from?

Before we delve in to the nitty gritty of Cottagecore it’s important to understand its heritage and where it came from.

Cottagecore isn’t an island in of itself – it’s part of a wider trend. This trend includes the likes of increased use of florals, finely decorating your homemade ciabatta and taking up embroidery in your free time.

In a world dominated by screens, instant food and online dating, a movement is developing that places importance in the home made over mass produced, hardback books over smart tablets and slow food over fast. An offshoot of this phenomenon is Cottagecore interior design.

The philosophy underpinning this school of design is a romanticised vision of countryside style for those usually found living in the urban communities. Born out of the 2020 misery of coronavirus lockdowns sparked by the demands of 21^st century living, Cottagecore brings us back to a simpler, more comfortable time.

cottagecore conservatory interior design layout

How to get the Cottagecore look in my home?

There are three key components to integrating Cottagecore into your home. The first is colour selection.

Neutral and muted colours should be the foundation of Cottagecore-inspired spaces. Navy blues and dusky pinks accentuating eucalyptus greens and slate greys are great starting positions.

Such colours don’t need to be placed in blocks however, consider incorporating these tones through patterned items, from patterned curtains to cushions, to really nail the look you’re aiming for. The patterns that best enhance Cottagecore relate to nature. Florals from vintage flower prints to traditional woodland vistas are in order – more angular shapes such as geometric and gem designs are less suitable.

Minimalism is also out – carefully considered clutter is our second essential thread in this trend. We’re not advocating a hoard mentality or things being plain chaotic, the clutter we showcase should be thought out. Take a kitchen for example, instead of having your items tucked away in cupboards, have them placed on shelves in a relatively hodge-podge fashion. Picture beautiful identical soup bowls stacked wonkily atop a short pile of matching plates, flanked by a glass water jug and potted succulent. This can be replicated in your living space with a smattering of cushions and lamps enhanced with beautiful lampshades.

As a theme that harks back to a pre-plastic era, its unsurprising that natural materials also feature heavily in Cottagecore. As a result, consider using woods throughout the home from work surfaces and chairs to wooden blinds and cabinets. Likewise, consider using wools and linens to achieve variety of material which harmonise well through their shared natural origins.

Before wrapping up, it’s important to remind you that Cottagecore is about making your space your own. The points above will provide a foundation for such an aesthetic but don’t be afraid to add your own personal touch. If you’ve been growing plants in your garden, bring some small items indoors; likewise if you’re a budding painter or embroider, have your work nicely framed and get it on the walls – if you think it’s cool, that’s all you need!

To make your selections even easier, we’ve created a dedicated Cottagecore collection which you can enjoy. All our items are made to you’re exact specifications by our team of craftspeople here in Yorkshire.