Defining Cottagecore, the Homespun Design Style We Love

It's not farmhouse and it's not euro-rustic, though it may lie somewhere in between. So, what exactly makes a space cottagecore? Here's what designers say.

By: Caroline Alkire

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Photo By: Jeff Herr Photography

Photo By: Erin Kelly

Photo By: Marian Parsons

Photo By: Margaret Rajic

Say Hello to Cottagecore

We won’t let Taylor Swift and her Folklore album take full credit for the current cottagecore movement that’s diminishing our bank accounts as we stock up on dried flowers, brass accessories and vintage furnishings. It’s always been around; HGTV designer Leanne Ford says so (therefore it must be true). But these days, it's everywhere — and for good reason. Cottagecore is nostalgic, cozy, homey like your favorite duvet. “It’s the dream,” says Leanne, “the downstairs in Downton Abbey. It’s Anne of Green Gables, and it's always in style.” But exactly what makes a space cottagecore? We’ll break it down for you.

From: James Farmer

Vintage Accessories

Let’s start with the basics. Anything vintage goes when it comes to cottagecore. “It's all about warmth and easy and budget friendly,” says Leanne. “Accessories that will never go out of style.” Raid your grandma’s attic or hit up your favorite second-hand store. There are some gems to be found — and by gems we mean old (but super cool) furniture.

Vintage-Style Appliances

When it comes to vintage, true vintage technology isn't the way to go. Luckily we've been blessed with brand new appliances that look retro (think Smeg or Big Chill), and they come in muted cottagecore-approved colors. Here, designer Kate Marker brightened up the kitchen in her vacation cottage with a salmon-colored Big Chill fridge. Voila! Instant cottagecore.

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From: Kate Marker Interiors

Muted Earth Tones

Choose any color palette, any color palette at all — but make it muted and earthy. Cottagecore is subtle, as is its color scheme. Cottagecore doesn't scream, “Look at me!” Instead, its soft shades slowly roll over you like a warm blanket. Miss Mustard Seed blogger Marian Parsons associates cottagecore with shades of green, “...because of its relation to the gardens and fields that surround traditional cottages.”

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Exposed Ceiling Beams

Rustic ceiling beams add an extra layer of artful warmth to a space. They’re traditionally common in cottages, and therefore a pivotal part of cottagecore design. Not every space has them, but believe it or not, they can be installed.

From: Kate Marker Interiors

Trinkets

To Marian, cottagecore is all about “filling your home with things that are homemade and beautiful.” In a word: trinkets. Here, designer James Farmer filled his sideboard with blue and white dishware, then added his own special touch: barley twist candlesticks he DIYed into matching lamps.

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From: James Farmer

Open Shelving and Curly Brackets

Speaking of trinkets, you’ll want to show them off with open shelving. Extra points if your shelves boast cute and whimsical brackets like the ones in Leanne’s kitchen. Stack on pretty bowls, vases, books (anything that makes you happy) and your cottagecore kitchen vignette is complete.

Homey Textiles

So, what makes cottagecore different from similar styles? It’s not a modern iteration of a once-popular aesthetic (grandmillenial) and it’s not entirely specific in its furnishings (French vintage, farmhouse). “Cottagecore has a homespun feel,” says Marian, who brings this idea to fruition in her own space with layered, hand-stitched quilts and cozy textiles.

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From: Marian Parsons

Plates as Accessories

Hang them on the wall or lean them up against the back of a bookshelf. Plates and platters are for more than eating and entertaining when it comes to cottagecore. They tell a story. Plus, they’re just as pretty as a painting.

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From: Marian Parsons

Brass, Copper and Gold Touches

Bring that nostalgic, cozy cottagecore mood into a space with glistening touches of brass or copper. Use whatever feels natural: candlesticks, lamps, cabinet hardware. Here, Kate Marker layered copper pots and pans over clean white walls (and check out her vintage-style Big Chill stove).

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From: Kate Marker Interiors

Simplicity and Familiarity

Whether it’s homemade art, carefully stitched quilts, vintage dishes, a new gold-rimmed mirror or a combination of it all, cottagecore design speaks simply to its homeowner. It’s familiar in a way not all styles are. Cottagecore doesn’t just feel like home — it is home. Says Leanne, “It always has been and always will be here.”

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