There’s something about that allure of cottagecore on Pinterest…
That it sometimes seems so far away.
But all you really need is a little bit of strategy, and you can seriously transform your living space of monotone, boring, “adult” looks into a cottagecore lifestyle and home that actually makes you feel like you can create, be your best self, get cozy, and just have a little bit of magic in your home.
The thing is, you don’t have to be an interior designer, or even an expert or obsessive in interior design in order to get these looks. It’s all about finding the patterns in what you love, from the pins you save to the pictures you adore in magazines to your favorite colors. Let’s get into how you can get that perfect cottagecore look in your home!
What is cottagecore?
Think of cottagecore as a combination of feminine, rustic, and florals blended together. In many authentic cottagecore designs, especially those you’ll see people on Pinterest post, you’ll see things like:
- Floral textiles and botanical prints
- Antique furniture pieces, especially chairs, tables, and lighting fixtures
- Vintage decor like books and lanterns
- Intricate picture frames
- Warm lighting
- Warm color palettes, floral prints and nature-inspired wallpaper
- Wicker, wooden, and other natural materials for baskets, storage, and organizing
- Dried or fresh flowers
The overall energy in a cottagecore vibe and space is going to ultimately make you feel:
Nostalgic Simple Homey Warm Cozy Nature-inspired Whimsical
Related: How to achieve the cottagecore bathroom aesthetic (upgrades from $ to $$$)
1. Decide on your color palette.
Before we delve into all the fairy lanterns and vintage treasures, let’s talk about colors.
Setting the right baseline for your space is ultimately going to narrate every choice you make with furniture, decor, textiles, and more.
When it comes to cottagecore, we’re talking light, airy, earthy, and warm colors, like soft lavenders, sage greens, creamy whites, and muted roses. One way I love to do this is by finding images on Pinterest of nature and extracting their colors or by using the colors of an image I already have.
Here are 3 cottagecore color palettes to get you started:
2. Plan your space or room’s arrangement.
After you’ve got your colors figured out, it’s time to plan out the arrangement of your space.
If you’re planning for your whole house, then you’ll want to do something like Julia Marcum does, which is whip up an entire home color palette.
However, it’s probably more likely that you’re just hitting an individual room, in which case you’ll be arranging your furniture specifically in that room. Here’s a quick way to plan out how you’ll arrange your room:
Step 1: Choose the furniture pieces you’ll want to use in this room. Make your decisions based on functionality (you’ll likely need a desk in a home office), storage, and movement.
Step 2: Measure out each furniture piece and input their sizing into a tool like Spoak, which will help you have measurements accurate so you can see what pieces fit where.
Step 3: Arrange and rearrange your pieces in Spoak until you’ve decided which one you’ll want to use. If you’re a member, you’ll be able to ask for advice in their Slack group, which is a great resource for getting second opinions on your space.
Throughout this process, you might want to learn a little bit about Feng Shui principles, which is about creating a more harmonious flow in your rooms.
On a basic level, Feng Shui has you embrace textures, energy, balance, and proportions so you have clear pathways and a free-flowing space. On a more specific level, it invites you to situate your room in a way that brings positive energy to your space, through things like making sure you can see doorways from your desk and using the Bagua Energy Map to arrange your room.
3. Find your grounding rug.
Now that we’ve got our furniture arranged, it’s about time to get grounding.
If you have a rug that fits your home’s color palette already, then great. If not, here’s your time to pick one out that perfectly fits your cottagecore space.
Look for nontoxic brands: Fast fashion doesn’t just stop at clothes. The cheaper rugs, are, it’s likely the more synthetic materials you’ll find in them, like polypropylene and latex. Stick to more natural materials like cotton, wool, and jute, and find brands that mention a more natural approach to dyes, to boot.
Adhere to the 60% Rule: This is basically a ratio to create harmony in your color scheme. Your rug should represent 60% of the room’s color, setting the primary tone. So, if you’ve chosen a soft lavender and sage green palette, a muted lavender rug might just be the ticket!
4. Add natural design elements (natural or dried).
Nature lovers, this one’s for you! The essence of cottagecore is drawing the outdoors in, so it’s definitely important to incorporate naturalistic elements in your cottagecore design style.
If you’ve got a green thumb, you’re looking to add indoor potted plants to be a part of this aesthetic. Ferns, ivies, and pothos can add a lush, wild touch and add that cottage-style vibe. Position them where they catch some soft sunlight, maybe by a window or on a side table.
If you’re not much of a live plant parent (or prefer it when they live outside) I personally swear by this:
Grab a eucalyptus bundle from Whole Foods (or any local farmer’s market), hang it upside down to air dry, give it a gentle spray with some natural, non-aerosol hairspray, and voila! Pop it into a vase just like a bouquet, and you’ve got a gorgeous, fragrant, and lasting touch of nature.
Related: These cozy cottagecore kitchen ideas were MADE for your home
Throughout this process, you might want to learn a little bit about Feng Shui principles, which is about creating a more harmonious flow in your rooms.
On a basic level, Feng Shui has you embrace textures, energy, balance, and proportions so you have clear pathways and a free-flowing space. On a more specific level, it invites you to situate your room in a way that brings positive energy to your space, through things like making sure you can see doorways from your desk and using the Bagua Energy Map to arrange your room.
5. Thrift at least 1 piece of artwork or decor.
There’s magic in giving an old piece a new life, and cottagecore definitely brings that out.
When looking for artwork, it’s about a few things:
- Does it spark joy? Channel a little Marie Kondo energy! If an item makes your heart flutter when you look at it, that’s a keeper.
- Does it fit with your color scheme? Keep your room’s vibe in mind. Will that pastel floral frame match your lavender and sage theme?
- Is it cottagecore? Look at an item and just ask, “Is this cottagecore?” You’d be surprised how quickly you’ll become a pro at identifying pieces that fit the aesthetic!
A few must-visit spots for you can be Habitat for Humanity Restore, Goodwill, and estate sales.
6. Add Etsy accents to your space and furniture.
They’re conversation starters, they’re bespoke touches, they’re handmade creations that make your home more than just a Crate and Barrel catalog. Here are some of the little touches that you can peruse Etsy for that added touch:
- Cabinet hardware: Not just any handle or knob will do in cottagecore— it has to be intentional and a little whimsical. Porcelain ones with hand-painted floral patterns can transport you to a vintage English kitchen and rustic iron handles can add a little more of a functional feel but still keep that cottagecore aesthetic.
- Wall additions: Grab some low-toxic paint if you’re ready for a big change, find some wallpaper (or peel and stick) for a more patterned option, or find some cute wall decals in case you want a change but don’t want it to be a whole-weekend project.
- Pull accents: It’s fascinating how a simple pull accent can redefine a space, but seriously… imagine antique brass or hand-carved wooden ones from an existing piece of furniture.
- Vases: Don’t just opt for a vessel to hold flowers; find one that feels more handcrafted from a big-box store. Soft earthy glazes, perhaps with a hint of speckle or an abstract hand-painted design could fit right in.
- Sconces: Lighting matters (both in the actual lighting and in the fixture) so go for sconces with brass finishes or those that hold candles for a true old-world charm.
- Curtain rods: It’s not just about holding the drapes, it’s about what’s actually holding them up, too! Opt for rods with finials that have intricate designs, or even better, ones made of reclaimed wood for a rustic feel.
7. Add cozy-fication.
It just got warmer in a space, but you didn’t adjust the temperature. How did it happen?
Cozy-fication.
Let’s break it down, layer by sumptuous layer:
- Fabrics: Linens that whisk you away can be brought as table runners, wool blankets, curtains, and more.
- Pillows: Look around your home— is there a place you can add a pillow or two? I bet. Think about your couch, your accent chairs, or even your bed. They aren’t just there to add more comfort, but to add to the visual comfiness of your space.
- Warm lighting: Lighting is literally the difference between walking into a warehouse and a teahouse. Grab color-changing lights like Wiz where you can make all your lighting warm, which immediately makes your space more cozy without having to add any piece of furniture.
Products
Block print black floral pillow cover
Single border pink floral embroidered cotton
With these simple steps, you can really instill that cottagecore home design that you dream about when you’re gazing at those Pinterest pics. Yes, you can make it a reality— and it’s just a tea, a bundle of flowers, and a cozy tablescape away!
