What to Know About the Style

At its, well, core, the aesthetic is a combination of classic country utilitarianism with a twinge of twee. Patchwork quilts, delightfully patinated primitive wood furniture, and handwoven baskets are all tenets of the style because they were once the quintessential pieces of a quiet, resourceful country life. Intrigued yet? Here’s how to give the look the old cottage try.

The Six Tenets of Cottagecore

Storybook Exteriors

“Good cottage exteriors are known for their cozy and rustic look,” says architectural designer Heather French of French & French Interiors. They should have a whimsical and worn-in feel, influenced by classic British cottage architecture. Favored finishes include weathered woods, limestone washes, and locally sourced masonry. Rooflines are steep and trim is ornate-yet-folksy (think gingerbread trim on a Queen Anne), giving the exterior a fairy tale-esque feel. While thatched roofs are common across the pond, in America cedar shake or similar wood shingles are the way to go, says Heather.

Another key to making your exterior feel quintessentially cottagecore is to focus on landscaping. “It should look like someone plopped the house down in the middle of a garden,” says Heather. Climbing, blooming flowers add a good dose of English charm with relative ease. (We’ll get more into cottagecore garden design below!)

This charming Catskills cottage uses symmetry to achieve that quintessential storybook look.

Pea gravel paths add subtle British-garden flair.

Flowering roses charm up this Nantucket cottage exterior.

While cottagecore exteriors often feature shingled or thatched roofs, this Virginia cottage shows that tin can be equally charming.

A white fence with welcoming double gate sets the scene for this house to be happiest on the block.

Timeworn Architectural Quirks

Inside, eccentric architectural elements are prized. Low or sloped ceilings, warmly worn floors, and exposed wood add personality to any interior. Though some styles might dictate that you remodel or hide those imperfections, cottagecore demands you celebrate them.

While these architectural aberrations are often built-in when you purchase an older home, you can still bring them to life inside a new build. Wood beams bring instant patina. Beadboard adds historic texture. Painting your wood floors with a classic checkerboard pattern is one of our favorite ways to charm up a space—just don’t forget to sand away some paint to give it that walked-over feel before you seal it.

Low-ceilings with wood beams are often best paired with white walls, or, in the case of this kitchen, a white Zellige tile backsplash.

In a small house, it’s important to have as much seating as possible. Here, an under-the-stairs nook serves up cozy charm.

Painted floors, especially ones with a pre-worn look, add instant cottage style to any new build.

Fill Your Cottage with These Finds

Gingham Pillow

Brass Duck Statue

Botanical Prints

French Country End Table

Strawberry Fields Recipe Box

Yellow Vintage-Style Glasses

Wicker Mushroom Basket

Floral Bedding

Lively, Layered Interiors

Happy patterns, frilly edges, and a mix of colors are the hallmark of good cottagecore interiors. “The room should give you the same feeling you had when you were at your grandparents’ house, except everything is current and put together in a modern, relevant way,” says interior designer Marynn Udvarhelyi of Wildflower Home Interiors. When it comes to textiles, seek out ditsy florals, and pair them with more crisp and tonal graphics such as gingham (Marynn’s favorite) or ticking stripes. And, of course, an heirloom quilt or two.

While textiles do most of the work to make interiors feel layered, paint plays a significant role, too. Going all white is a classic choice (try one with warmer undertones), but soft earthy pinks and terracottas are also quite popular with this set. As long as you balance your use of color with layers of patina (chippy furniture, faded oil paintings), you’ll be in good shape.

Floral patterns such sa this have a habit of melting away into a cohesive background.

Decorative baskets hung from the ceiling bring a sense of playfulness to this breakfast nook.

A woodland creature wallpaper adds a fun flair to this cottage bathroom.

A soft, happy palette in this upstairs bedroom offsets the small-space feel with bold choices.

Checkered tile backsplash adds a whimsical flair to this 230-year-old kitchen.

Patina, Not Perfection

The patina from passed-down furniture or freshly picked pieces is where cottagecore gets its soul. “Antiques are an essential part of country interiors,” says Audrey Gelman, who founded Brooklyn’s cottagecore emporium The Six Bells. “Without them, the look will fall flat.” She recommends seeking out pieces such as spongeware ceramics, Shaker baskets, steel pails, and other types of primitive decor. Embracing a mix of eras and styles contributes to that acquired-over-time look that cottagecore enthusiasts crave, even if you happened to purchase it all online on the same day. (Check out our other favorite online antique stores to get a head start!)

In a pretty-and-proper bedroom, a faded, hand-painted trunk adds texture.

Repurposed furniture adds timeworn charm with ease.

Piles of books topped with fresh-cut flowers are signs of a lived-in and loved-on room.

Prettied-up potting sheds are the perfect spot to toil away the hours.

A sunroom-turned-work room serves as the perfect artist’s respite.

Gardens Gone Wild

Out back, cottagecore lovers embrace whimsical plants grounded in traditional British-garden style. “Stick to old-fashioned, nostalgic throwbacks,” says Country Living’s Senior Food & Garden Editor Chris Michel. “Think tea or climbing roses, foxgloves, tall spires of hollyhock, lavender bushes, and fragrant sweet pea, climbing a garden trellis or trailing along a wonky wooden fence.” But, flowers aren’t the only thing you’ll need. Traditionally, English gardens were places where ornate flowers grew next to subsistence plantings. “It wouldn’t be out of place to have a spot for some vegetables—cabbages, carrots, etc., or even a small fruit tree,” says Chris. Just be sure to leave space for a small cafe table to sit at and enjoy hard work.

There are a few plants you are probably best to leave out of your garden, Chris notes. He suggests avoiding invasive, fast growing plants such as English ivy and wisteria that can choke out other plantings. (“If you really love wisteria, try to get American wisteria, which is native, and much less aggressive,” says Chris.)

Happily overgrown pathways bursting with flowers are cottage to the core.

Bunches of blossoming hydrangeas add whimsy to an otherwise quiet exterior.

Happy hollyhocks that reach to the sky are the perfect addition to a cottage garden.

Everything You Need for a Cottage Garden

One Gallon Watering Can

Thorn-Proof Gardening Gloves

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Wicker Gathering Basket

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Garden Clog

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Berry&Bird Wood-Handled Tool Set

Cottage to the Core

Now that you’re all up to speed on this decorating style, you can get your (literal) ducks in a row. Just remember: Cottagecore decorating is all about embracing whatever makes your home feel happy and cozy. Think of it as permission to fill your space with the things you care most about and to not fret over how and if they perfectly fit together.

Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!