Cottagecore style has grown in popularity recently and is all over social media. The design style includes everything from home decor to fashion. Similar to shabby chic and farmhouse styles, cottagecore celebrates the comfort and charm of country life no matter where you live. If you’re interested in learning more about this fun and popular trend, here are the basic elements of cottagecore.
For furniture, cottagecore is all about comfort mixed with a lived-in feel. Vintage or second-hand furniture is a popular choice, but only if it’s as comfy as it is attractive in the space. Elements you’ll find in cottagecore furniture include curved lines, soft upholstery and rich wood stains. Wood and metal surfaces that show their age with patina or imperfections from normal wear-and-tear are perfect for a cottagecore room.
In keeping with the theme of celebrating country life, floral patterns are key to the cottagecore aesthetic. This also includes using fresh or dried flowers as decor. Artwork depicting flowers, needlepoint throw pillows and delicate floral prints are essential. Mixing florals with the simple and comfortable furniture gives a cottagecore room a relaxed and natural vibe even with a mixture of colors and patterns.
A key to creating the cottagecore aesthetic is the color palette. Mismatched furniture, prints and an emphasis on florals can combine to create chaos easily. However, the cottagecore style keeps neutral color palettes at the forefront to create a sense of harmony among the eclectic mixture. Opt for warm, neutral tones like beige, brown and woodsy green. Adding in pops of color, especially in pastels, will add vibrance and depth while keeping the foundation laid-back.
One of the basic philosophies behind the cottagecore style is the idea of collecting furnishings. This means that the more vintage decor, the better. Some of the best ways to add some vintage flair to a cottagecore room include chandeliers, fine china and decorative vases. Try hanging your favorite artwork in vintage frames with some patina to show off well-worn charm.
Is cottagecore style right for you? If you love the simplicity of the farmhouse style but want a little more detail and vintage flair, consider trying it in your space. Keep these major elements in mind and you’ll be able to make your very own version of cottagecore that works for you.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
