A Cottagecore Home: One Vintage Inspired Find at a Time 

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for simpler days, a quiet morning with warm tea, the smell of fresh wildflowers, and the hum of a gentle breeze through open linen curtains, then Cottagecore might feel like home before you even decorate a single shelf.

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a feeling. And for so many of us who crave a softer pace of life, Cottagecore offers a little sanctuary we can create with our own two hands right where we are.

What Exactly Is Cottagecore?

At its heart, Cottagecore is about comfort, connection, and charm. It draws inspiration from countryside living where time moves a little slower and beauty is found in everyday things: a handmade quilt, a chipped mug passed down from grandma, the smell of lavender drying in the kitchen.

You don’t need to live in a literal cottage to embrace this style. Whether you’re in a city apartment, a cozy bungalow, or a fixer-upper farmhouse, cottagecore is more about the mood than the square footage.

A Few Hallmarks of the Cottagecore Look:

• Natural materials: wood, clay, linen, and wool

• Soft, muted colors: sage green, faded rose, cream, dusty blue

• Vintage and handmade items: think embroidery hoops, tea-stained books, or antique mirrors

• Touches of nature: dried florals, fresh herbs, leafy houseplants

• Textured layers: ruffled curtains, cozy throws, old books stacked in corners

The best part? There are no rules. Cottagecore is about curating a space that feels comforting to you.

Where Does the Cottagecore Style Come From?

My love for cottagecore started the same way it does for many...with a feeling.

For some, it’s the nostalgia of reading Anne of Green Gables or watching a Jane Austen adaptation with tea in hand. For others, it’s a memory: baking with a grandparent, picking wildflowers, or slipping into a handmade sweater.

The style itself is inspired by:

• English countryside living

• French country charm

• Vintage nostalgia

• Seasonal rituals like baking, gardening, crafting

It’s not curated like minimalism, or polished like modern farmhouse. Instead, it’s about imperfection things that are loved and lived in.

How to Bring Cottagecore Into Your Home

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to renovate or start from scratch. You can build a cottagecore home piece by piece, layer by layer. And it’s actually more fun that way.

1. Start With Soft Colors

Sage green, buttery cream, pale mustard, dusty rose. These gentle tones invite rest and warmth. Use them on your walls, linens, or accent pieces.

2. Mix in Vintage Decor

Thrift stores, flea markets, and grandma’s attic are treasure troves for:

• Distressed wood furniture

• Mismatched floral plates

• Worn-in armchairs

• Old clocks, lanterns, or framed embroidery

Each vintage item tells a story—and your home becomes the storyteller.

3.  Always Add Nature

Nothing feels quite as “cottage” as bringing the outdoors in:

• Display herbs in terracotta or ceramic pots

• Hang dried eucalyptus or lavender

• Fill pitchers with wildflowers from a morning walk

• Stack wood or pinecones in a woven basket

4. Create Cozy Corners

Whether it’s a nook for reading or a window seat for journaling, these little personal spaces make your home feel like a retreat. Layer it with soft blankets, warm light, and a favorite candle.

5. Celebrate the Seasons

One of the most beautiful parts of the cottagecore life is living with the rhythm of nature. In spring, open the windows. In fall, decorate with foraged leaves or apples. In winter, light candles and curl up under quilts. It’s all about noticing the little things.

How Is Cottagecore Different From Rustic Farmhouse or Shabby Chic?

These three styles get compared a lot—and it makes sense. They all share vintage roots and a love of comfort. But they each tell a slightly different story.

Cottagecore is softer than farmhouse, and more grounded than shabby chic. It’s less about matching and more about meaning. If farmhouse is function, and shabby chic is fancy, cottagecore is feeling.

Real-Life Cottagecore Moments (That Don’t Cost a Thing)

• A candle flickering during a rainstorm

• Hanging your laundry in the sunshine

• Baking banana bread from scratch

• Reading an old book with a wool blanket

• Watching the seasons change from your front porch

The magic is in the mood and not the price tag.

Make Your Home Your Gentle Retreat

If your heart’s been craving a slower pace or a softer space, you’re not alone. Cottagecore gives us all permission to pause to choose beauty, calm, and comfort in our everyday.

Whether you're ready to dive in or just dabble, know that every cozy touch brings you closer to the kind of home that hugs you back.

🌼 Explore our favorite cottagecore-inspired pieces at Luca Innovation—vintage-style finds, homey textures, and nature-loving details that help you create your own quiet kind of lovely. Follow us on Pinterest for more home inspiration.