Cottagecore: Your Guide to Achieving the Look

In today’s hyper-connected world, where life often feels rushed and overwhelming, social media has become a place to seek comfort and creative escape. The cottagecore aesthetic taps into this shared desire — offering a return to nature, simplicity, and a slower way of living.

What began as a digital daydream has blossomed into a beloved lifestyle and interior aesthetic. Cottagecore is rooted in a wistful nostalgia for the pastoral pleasures of the English countryside. Think open meadows, warm bread, flower pressing, and handwritten letters. It's a lifestyle that favours creativity, sustainability, and self-sufficiency — expressed through activities like gardening, baking, and making art.

As an interior style, cottagecore rejects the cool austerity of modern minimalism. Instead, it leans into warmth, imperfection, and character. A cottagecore home is layered and expressive — filled with mismatched prints, vintage finds, time-worn textures and a relaxed, lived-in feeling. 

And while its origins may lie in escapist fantasy, cottagecore has found a real foothold in how many people decorate today. You don’t need rolling hills or a thatched roof to embrace its cosy, countryside spirit.

Cottagecore draws from an idealised vision of rural life — a celebration of slower days surrounded by nature, creativity, and self-reliance. Yet this longing for simplicity is far from modern. It echoes through history, from the writings of Ancient Greece to the manicured romance of Victorian gardens.

In the 2010s, millennials and Gen Z revived the sentiment online, giving it a new aesthetic vocabulary. The term “cottagecore” was coined on Tumblr in 2018, and by 2020 — during the global COVID-19 lockdowns — it reached viral status on TikTok and Pinterest. Stuck indoors and craving comfort, many leaned into its slow-living ethos and escapist beauty.

In New Zealand, that yearning translated into action. Data from the 2023 Census revealed significant internal migration: approximately 86,000 people moved from the North Island to the South Island between 2018 and 2023, representing a notable shift towards more scenic and regional areas — similar in spirit to the cottagecore-inspired exoduses seen elsewhere.

Cottagecore interiors offer a kind of dream logic: whether in a suburban apartment or a country home, they invite you to soften your space and reconnect with the rhythms of rural life. Here are some creative ways you can incorporate this style into your space.

Cottagecore interiors fuse classic country warmth with subtle bohemian flair. Embracing the beauty of imperfection and the stories behind everyday objects, this style encourages you to keep things on display — turning your home into a reflection of your personal journey and connection to nature.

Colour Palette: Cottagecore houses typically feature soft and earthy tones. Think hues like sage, peach, butter yellow, dusty rose, and periwinkle blue — layered with whites, beiges, creams, and warm woods. 

Patterns and Textiles: This aesthetic embraces mixed prints — like florals, checks, toile, and gingham — and doesn’t shy away from the “cluttered” look. Linens, crocheted throws, vintage quilts, and ruffled fabrics are all encouraged.

Decor: Cottagecore décor is resoundingly vintage, giving rooms a sense of soul. Antiques, heirlooms, and handmade items are key — pre-loved ceramics, embroidered cushions, pressed flowers, and woven baskets. Greenery is also important: from potted herbs to trailing ivy and dried bouquets.

Cottagecore interiors are humble and unfussy. It’s not so much about stepping back in time historically, but into the warm, comforting feeling that nostalgia presents.

In the cottagecore kitchen, openness is everything. It’s a space where warmth and practicality go hand in hand — with pots suspended from racks, utensils displayed on open shelving, and fresh herbs lining the windowsill. Every item is within arm’s reach, creating a kitchen that feels welcoming, functional, and full of character.

Traditional cottagecore kitchens often feature wooden floorboards, exposed beams, rustic brickwork, and colourful cabinetry to evoke a sense of timeless charm. But you don’t need to source antique fittings to achieve the look. Elements like a classic farmhouse sink and antique brass tapware can bring that homely, vintage-inspired feel into even the most modern homes.

While modern bathrooms often strive for sleek minimalism, the cottagecore approach embraces warmth and individuality. It’s a space filled with natural materials, charming patterns, and an effortless, lived-in beauty.

To enhance the connection with nature, try introducing:

• Potted plants or trailing greenery
• Eucalyptus bunches in the shower (releasing a calming scent when activated by steam)
• Soft floral wallpaper or VJ panelling for a touch of vintage charm

Classic clawfoot tubs paired with tapware from our provincial-style Kingsley Collection will anchor the space in tradition. For a modern take that still feels period-inspired, consider products like our Barre Assembly Taps and Gooseneck Swivel Wall Mounted Spout in brushed brass or brushed copper to express that classic feel.

Softly layered and filled with light, the cottagecore bedroom evokes a dreamlike calm. Plush textiles, sheer curtains, and the twinkle of fairy lights or warm lamplight create a space that feels peaceful and serene. Stick to muted tones like sage green, powder blue, warm cream, or lavender for a palette that’s earthy yet ethereal.

A wrought-iron bedframe sets a nostalgic tone, often paired with weathered timber flooring, reclaimed timber bedside tables, and antique brass cabinet handles to add warmth and character. Layer the space with dried flower arrangements and plenty of greenery to echo the outdoors.

When it comes to wall art, lean into the pastoral. Think vintage oil paintings of countryside scenes, botanical prints, or wildlife illustrations — pieces that echo the cottagecore love of nature and nostalgia.

Often seen as purely utilitarian, the laundry is easily forgotten, but cottagecore reminds us that every room holds potential. With some creativity, even this hardworking space can become a quiet expression of rustic beauty and charm.

Draw inspiration from your favourite cottagecore elements and weave them in thoughtfully. A feature wall with floral wallpaper, woven storage baskets, provincial tapware, an oversized farmhouse sink for easy clothes washing, or ornate glass jars to store washing powder all help transform the space from plain to personalised.

For more interior inspiration, read these blogs:

How to Master Modern Farmhouse Design

What is Maximalism? A Guide to Maximalist Interior Design

How to Design Your Perfect Home Library