If we breakdown what style cottagecore really is, try thinking along the lines of whimsical, countryside and simplicity to get the overall idea. While cottagecore isn’t exactly the farm style you’d expect, it certainly lends itself to the whims of meadows and fields with its vintage appeal. The style is warm and homely, making sure a cup of tea is ready all day long.

While some would describe cottagecore as a more romanticised way of life, others would choose to describe it as an escape from the modern city, taking a well-deserved breakaway from the hustle and bustle of life. However, this design aesthetic needn’t be an escape, and can easily be incorporated into your very home with simple touches here and there. We enlisted the help of interior designer, Monya Eastman from Stokperd to help us achieve the overall look.

How to Style your Home

According to Monya, ‘Make the most of your natural light and materials where possible. Natural light is your secret to tricking the eye into rooms appearing bigger, and by making use of your existing furniture and decor pieces, you are learning to incorporate different styles into one, which is the most practical. Not many people buy all their furniture at once for a room in particular, so learning to work with what you have is the best way of introducing cottage core into the home.’

Another top tip by the designer, Monya mentions that ‘Large healthy plants, bunches of flowers from your garden placed in vases and framed prints and art are all ways of including cottagecore without it becoming too overwhelming. You want to maximise on cosiness and create many picture-perfect spots for you to enjoy with a book and glass of good red wine (or tea if that’s your preference).’

‘When the style becomes too overwhelming, consider adding scatter cushions and throws. A natural colour palette with pops of green and yellow contrasted against one another can be combined with cleaner modern furniture pieces to ease the style into your home.’ By adding modern furniture, this brings the style up to the 21st century to avoid it feeling too dated and old.

Colour Palettes

When creating a cool palette for the cottagecore aesthetic, start with your neutrals. From beige to taupe, these should be your base. Add on softer shades, such as pastels from light yellows to pale purples and for that added pop, dark, forest green will add a natural appeal.

Add Those Personal Touches

Nothing says cottagecore quite like a DIY piece of furniture or decor item to the home. Whether it is a painting done by yourself, or a refurbished bookcase, a DIY element is always a great way of bringing in the farmstyle aesthetic.

If DIY isn’t your thing, consider flea market finds at a vintage store that has a little piece of history to the item. Not only is vintage shopping a great way to include the style, but also highly sustainable and environmentally friendly (talk about being up-to-date with eco-friendly trends). Another great way to add a personal element is through aged photos, which you can actually do on your own. Changing the colour of normal pictures from colour to a sepia tone will certainly add a vintage appeal and is considered DIY in our books.

And while you’re at it, pressing and drying some of those beautiful flowers that are on their way out is a great way to preserve them for life. Pressed flowers look great in glass frames, or even dried and applied to a canvas. You don’t need to be an expert to preserve the flowers and put them up in your home. Cottagecore is all about being personal, so don’t be afraid of making a mistake, add that personal touch here and there because it is your home and should be as unique as you are.

Nature is Always in Style

Cottagecore truly embraces the greenery of life. Greenery is always in season and great for that added oxygen boost in the home. Potted plants, wooden rustic furniture and an abundance of florals is the comfort we seek in this design aesthetic. Natural elements shine through as they are made the focus in certain rooms, so everything is not as practical as it should be, but beautiful nonetheless. Jars of kitchen ingredients on open shelving with plants cascading down and a floral tea towel to hang on the oven rail are just some of the ways to incorporate nature into your kitchen that helps bring the cottage core trend forward.

While a cluttered home is not everyone’s cup of tea, a lived-in home is the perfect way to embrace cottagecore. Things don’t always need to be neat and in their place, so the home should feel like it is natural and warm. Freshly cut flowers always add a brightness to the space, and if these are difficult to get, floral wallpaper also brings in some cheer.

Written by Yashna Balwanth

Featured image: Arno Smit via Unsplash