Handpicked wildflowers and delicate lace deserve a spot in your home…
But what if you have more styles that you love?
Styles that are dark, moody, bright, airy, spunky, steamy, dreamy, and everything in between(y)
Let’s rewind a bit, and remember what cottagecore really is for a second.
Cottagecore: that sweet, pastoral vibe.
The fairytale of living in a quaint cottage, surrounded by the sounds of chirping birds and the smell of fresh pie cooling on the windowsill.
And as with all beautiful stories like the ones we watch that are cottagecore-esque— think Little Women, Anne of Green Gables— there’s another energy that might want to blend right into it.
Why we love cottagecore ?
You might love cottagecore for its quaint, simple-living, and feminine feeling.
In a world where the rocket ship emoji and the ⚡️entrepreneur⚡️ vibe is definitely rampant over the internet, sometimes, it’s nice to have a space that feels soft, gentle, unassuming, and warm for you to relax in. And while many of our readers enjoy the cozy work-from-home lifestyle (I know I do), it’s even better for relaxing and not having to worry about anything that stresses you out.
Cottagecore really feels more than just a strictly interior design style, but a lifestyle that you can follow, practicing calmness, patience, and presence in every little life moment.
But while I’m a forever fan of the cottagecore dream, the world is a mosaic of different styles, so we’re blending ‘em.
1. Dark academia
Wandering through the endless corridors of ancient universities and getting lost amidst towering bookshelves under the warm, muted glow of a desk lamp is the vibe.
It’s romance, history, and a deep, dark creativity mixed up into work. Creaking wood floors, walls lined with portraits of long-forgotten scholars, the distant echo of a violin, and you, clad in a tweed jacket, scribbling away in your faux leather-bound journal.
Dark academia vs. cottagecore
SIMILARITIES
- Nostalgic
- Cozy
- Handcrafted objects
DIFFERENCES
Cottagecore
- Light colors
- Light woods
- Nature, meadow, and floral influences
Dark academia
- Shadowy, moody colors
- Dark woods
- Literature, art, and philosophy influences
Related: 7 steps to nail your cottagecore house interior vibe
2. Goblincore
If you’ve ever found joy in the patter of rain, been enchanted by the glossy sheen of a pebble, or found happiness in spotting a frog on a dewy morning, you’re already knee-deep in the world of Goblincore.
Goblincore interior design is less about the curated beauty of a sunlit room filled with dried flowers and more about the wild, unruly charm of nature in its rawest form.
It’s the merriment of moss-covered logs, earthy, raw, and beckons a bit more of a curious heart, with a love for nature’s smaller, more off-beat delights that might not be the prettiest things but are quirky and spunky, just like the dwellers in its space.
Goblincore vs. cottagecore
SIMILARITIES
- Nature-inspired
- Quirky
- Wild
DIFFERENCES
Cottagecore
- Nostalgic
- Vintage
- Light and airy
Goblincore
- Otherworldy
- Unexpected
- Dark and shadowy
3. Fairycore
A world bathed in soft, dappled sunlight, where iridescent wings catch the light, and whispers of age-old tales float through ancient woodlands.
Here in a fairycore interior design-styled home, everything is touched with a hint of magic – from shimmery curtains to twinkle lights to butterfly artwork. If we were to invite these two sisters to lunch together, they’d have a lot in common, but have their own unique little personalities all their own.
SIMILARITIES
- Nature-inspired
- Floral
- Soft and feminine
DIFFERENCES
Cottagecore
- Nostalgic
- Classical
- Graceful
Fairycore
- Otherworldy
- Whimsical
- Playful
4. Forestcore
Let’s head over to the heart of the woods with forestcore.
If you yearn for that cabin underneath the trees, where rustling leaves and birdsong are the loudest sounds you hear, you’re already halfway there to the essence of forestcore.
This aesthetic is all about immersing yourself in the beauty, serenity, and timeless wisdom of the forest. Interiors are marked by wooden textures, leafy green plants, and motifs that echo the forest’s rich, beautiful tapestry.
SIMILARITIES
- Nature-inspired
- Cozy
- Rustic
DIFFERENCES
Cottagecore
- Light wildflower bouquet vibes
- Focus on pinks, yellows, oranges
- Light woods
Forestcore
- Dark green draping plants
- Focus on greens, blues, and oranges
- Dark woods
Related: How to achieve the cottagecore bathroom aesthetic (upgrades from $ to $$$)
5. Witchcore / Witchy
Now to a realm where the veil between worlds is thin, and magic is always afoot: witchy.
Cottagecore embraces the feminine and nostalgic.
Witchy interiors embrace the mystical and the arcane.
Think dark, moody palettes infused with deep purples and blacks, candles casting flickering shadows, crystals emanating their energy, and shelves adorned with ancient tomes and dried herbs.
Witchy is all about tapping into the older, deeper rhythms of the earth and its mysterious, beautiful energy.
SIMILARITIES
- Nature-inspired
DIFFERENCES
Cottagecore
- Whimsical
- Graceful
- Pastels and muted colors
Witchy
- Otherworldly and magical
- Imaginative
- Bold blacks and darker colors
How to mix and match your perfect style
So, you’re thinking, “I’m totally a bit of everything!” That’s okay— so am I.
The real magic isn’t really about fitting neatly into one box, but about grabbing little treasures from each and creating your own unique style and little homey wonderland.
You know, that one rule of designing your interior? That’s right. There isn’t one.
Here are some fun tips to get you started on that blend:
- Use only everything that sparks joy. This might mean you need to explore one of Marie Kondo’s books, *The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up* and Spark Joy.
- Spend as little money as possible at the beginning: See what you have around your home that can make your space beautiful before dipping into your wallet.
- Start small (like one room), so it’s not overwhelming. Plus, it can feel crazy to design your entire home all at once and not have any organized place to run to.
- Start going to thrift stores and estate sales. Get familiar with finding things and negotiating the prices. It feels so different when you’ve earned things you hang up in your home rather than buy off a rack at a store.
- Know what to look for on Facebook Marketplace. Take time to browse through listings on Facebook Marketplace. See how much people are selling items for, and do a reverse-image search to see what they cost full-price.
How will you blend the beauty of cottagecore with some of your other favorite interior design styles? Remember: at the end of the day, knowing interior design rules helps you know how to break them, so have fun, and bask in the beauty of nostalgia, whimsy, and otherworldly wonder.
