There’s something equally sweet, spunky, and nostalgic about the cottagecore aesthetic that caught my eye ever since it started lining the Pinterest alleyways.
Here it is, a world that’s so naturally beautiful, but with lots of added aesthetics through filters and edits to make nature-engulfed beauty feel like heaven on earth.
A sweet, loving atmosphere that speaks of simpler times and the irresistible charm of rural life is what comes to mind when thinking of the lovely cottagecore style, which is why I’ve also incorporated some of its elements as our own home decor! We truly believe that one of the big paths to living a creatively inspired life is having a home that reflects and inspires you, and that means, having a home that sparks joy. And if cottagecore wall art, decor, and the overall aesthetic make you feel inspired too, then you’re in the right place!
What is cottagecore?
Cottagecore, a term recently popularized on social media platforms like Tumblr and TikTok, evokes rural nostalgia, engulfed by sweet florals, pastel colors, and the sweetest moments of nature all in one.
These themes of escapism and living simply were captured far beyond our age of evolution, though not coined as what we know and love cottagecore to be today, akin to the ancient Greek’s gaze on Arcadia, a nostalgic space that became an idea more than it did a tangible destination.
Then, between 316-260 BCE, Theocritus of Sicily started writing “pastoral poems,” which longed for the idyllic escape into a magical, natural world.
Today, we can see it is a way we romanticize rural living, placing a particular emphasis on things homemade, floral, freeing, and community-driven.
Some believe it to be a countercultural movement to things moving so fast, yearning for a time to let them slow down. At its heart, it feels like a collective yearning to return to self-sustainability, wholesome practices, and the charm of the pastoral.
There’s something equally sweet, spunky, and nostalgic about the cottagecore aesthetic that caught my eye ever since it started lining the Pinterest alleyways.
Here it is, a world that’s so naturally beautiful, but with lots of added aesthetics through filters and edits to make nature-engulfed beauty feel like heaven on earth.
A sweet, loving atmosphere that speaks of simpler times and the irresistible charm of rural life is what comes to mind when thinking of the lovely cottagecore style, which is why I’ve also incorporated some of its elements as our own home decor! We truly believe that one of the big paths to living a creatively inspired life is having a home that reflects and inspires you, and that means, having a home that sparks joy. And if cottagecore wall art, decor, and the overall aesthetic make you feel inspired too, then you’re in the right place!
Related: 5 dark + moody interior design tips + ideas we love
What is cottagecore?
Cottagecore, a term recently popularized on social media platforms like Tumblr and TikTok, evokes rural nostalgia, engulfed by sweet florals, pastel colors, and the sweetest moments of nature all in one.
These themes of escapism and living simply were captured far beyond our age of evolution, though not coined as what we know and love cottagecore to be today, akin to the ancient Greek’s gaze on Arcadia, a nostalgic space that became an idea more than it did a tangible destination.
Then, between 316-260 BCE, Theocritus of Sicily started writing “pastoral poems,” which longed for the idyllic escape into a magical, natural world.
Today, we can see it is a way we romanticize rural living, placing a particular emphasis on things homemade, floral, freeing, and community-driven.
Some believe it to be a countercultural movement to things moving so fast, yearning for a time to let them slow down. At its heart, it feels like a collective yearning to return to self-sustainability, wholesome practices, and the charm of the pastoral.
What are the elements of a cottagecore aesthetic?
Think picturesque and nostalgic: airy rooms filled with floral patterns, antiquated china, vintage books, handmade crafts, lace and gingham fabrics, and plenty of indoor plants.
For witchy souls like us, there’s also a sense of whimsy to it, adding a faerie lore element to it as well. When combined, many have found this as an atmosphere that is at the same time cozy, warm, nostalgic, idyllic, whimsical, and earthy.
When it comes to designing in this space, everyone designs with different intentions, but I’d like to think that people draw inspiration from the energy of a quaint bookstore; you’re welcome anytime in its cozy, rich, enlightening, warm walls to learn, grow, explore, or simply sit in the beautiful glow.
So, to narrow it all down, the elements of a cottagecore aesthetic are:
- Pastels and natural colors like lavenders, pale pinks, sage greens, and creams
- Glowing and heaven-like filters
- Natural elements, sometimes even blended together (like flowers directly underneath a life-sized moon)
- Vintage and second-hand furniture and wall hangings and sets show the rich, intentional history that can be found in even just one piece, like toile, vintage wooden tables, and lace and thick linens
- Handmade room decor like quilts, candles, patterns, and other earth-centered elements
- Warm metals, like golds and bronzes
- Toile, floral, and gingham patterns are used in wallpaper, bedding, curtains, and rugs
- Soft and charming arrangement styles and colors
Idea #1: Pink and purple
Color scheme
A sweet, feminine touch, these colors involved a deep and bright purple, a light and bright pink, and a light, blushy, warm white to balance it out. I imagine a purple wall (either the dark purple or the brighter purple, although you could definitely go with either of the lighter pinks or even the bright one if you like bold colors!) paired with a deep, berry rug, soft, linen pink curtains, and gold accents throughout to bring out the warmth.
Decor aesthetic
You can enhance the feminine qualities of this color palette with scalloped designs like the sconce and a whimsical chandelier like the butterfly one. Add warm gold or bronze wall plates to complement the lighting for your cottagecore room and wall art with aligning color schemes like this piece (credit unknown! Please let me know if you know the artist).
♥️ Featured products to shop
Cotton Bedding Shop Blush Pink Curtains @ Etsy | $46.96 +
Scalloped Daisy Shade Sconce @ Shades of Light | $313.00
Terra Cotta, Rosewater + Lavender Bedding Bundle @ Bed Threads | $488 (queen)
Joan Switch Plate @ Anthropologie | $22
Idea #2: Natural pastels
Color scheme
This slightly more earthy cottagecore style mixes gentle greens with mystical purples and pinks. I love this idea for a little kid’s room, a light and airy bedroom, or if you want aesthetic room and wall decor that isn’t as drastic as the first. I’d love to see the darkest green color on a wall, because I’m a huge fan of deep, dramatic walls, especially paired with the middle taupe color for adding a natural element. I’m not a huge fan of tan walls, because I personally think it’s too safe.
Decor aesthetic
I added a few more obvious natural elements, like the adorable little moths and the beautiful, crown-like chandelier that complements the flowers on the earthy green rug. For a bedroom, you could have fun playing with a pattern on the bed, as it still has the taupe undertones, and I adore these bohemian curtains that would go great in really any room that needs character, especially next to the branch-like sconce that could add a warm glow to a room.
♥️ Featured products to shop
Amber Lewis for Anthropologie Rosebury Euro Sham @ Anthropologie | $58
✨ Handmade Tassle Curtains from The Cotton Duvet @ Etsy | $37.43
Flourish Sconce @ Anthropologie | $148.00
Idea #3: Violets and gold
Color scheme
I’d say this is the more dramatic cottagecore decor mood board out of the bunch! I found some deep violets with bright gold to make it have a little more contrast compared to the other more muted cottagecore room decor ideas. I think the gentle pink/purple could give it a gentler edge on the walls if you’d like, or you could go full drama and get them the darker purple. I have a color on my wall very similar to the lighter purple called Hydrangea by Benjamin Moore.
Decor aesthetic
I learned towards a more dark and mysterious vibe with this one, while also having bright fun pops of colors with things like candlesticks, dried flowers in vases (you can make them colorful) and a gallery wall filled with thrift finds or memories that spark joy for you. A snack tieback, a branch-like table, and earthy elements mixed in with some sleek glass like the table and sconce. This could be great if you like adding a little bit of edge to your space.
♥️ Featured products to shop
Serpentine tieback @ Anthropologie | $58
Cylindrical Crystal Wall Sconce @ Clearhalo | $235.14
English Garden Hand-Painted Candle @ Persephone’s Hearth | $19.50
Purple Glass Vase @ Etsy | $30
EmeisonCOM Linen Coverlet with Ruffles @ Etsy | $208.22 +
Tree-Dwelling Side Table @ Anthropologie | $448
My 5 favorite apps and tools to bring aesthetic decor and cottagecore decor ideas to life
- Spoak, to help me create beautiful room layouts for when I want to executive measurements for a real-life scope-out
- Canva, to create beautiful mood boards, graphics, and Pinterest pins to inspire me.
- Pinterest + Shuffles, to pool mood boards together and find products I love.
- Adobe Lightroom, to edit photos for a beautiful graphic feed on websites and social media.
- Notion, so I can draft up my blog posts and write them to share it with all of you. ♥️
