LLStyle Report: A Modern Take on Cozy Cottage-core

At this point, the chances you’ve avoided seeing the word “cottagecore” on some corner of the internet are slim—the age-old design concept took the interior design world by storm in 2020, with stories exploring the trend being published everywhere we looked, including this Architectural Digest article.

Though it’s been deemed a “trend” in the design world, the idea behind cottagecore has been around in some shape or form for centuries, inspired by the humble, pastoral homes found in the English countryside and romantic, fairy tale imagery. Its meteoric rise in popularity around 2020 can be credited to a sudden craving for comfortable, safe spaces in a time of severe un-certainty, when we retreated to our homes en masse and took up old-fashioned hobbies like crafts, gardening, and bread-baking.

A few years since the trend exploded on the scene, we’ve settled into a happy middle-ground—most of us are no longer baking excessive amounts of sourdough and have ditched our plans for a backyard chicken coop—but we’re still in love with the notion of building spaces that feel cozy and unique to our lifestyles.

 
Here are a few ways to incorporate “modern cottagecore” ideals into your home.

Old Meets New

The central pillar of cottagecore design is in the well-worn, vintage decor. If you’re apprehensive of your space looking like your grandma’s living room, start with the more decorative items like wall art, tchotchkes, or colorful knitted blankets that you’re drawn to at your local antique stores. Working in just a few vintage items will quickly inject unique character into your space.

But the key, as with any design scheme, is balance. To make your cottagecore decor feel fresh, ground it in something timeless like hardwood flooring. Going with a distressed finish found in something like the Bellawood Somersworth Oak will give a well-worn look while providing the long-lasting quality and performance of modern hardwood.

Mood Lighting

There are endless ways to design a cozy space, but they all begin and end with using the right lightning. Avoid relying on harsh overhead lighting in your cottage escape, rather turning to lamps, sconces, and candles to provide a softer, more filtered light that will exude coziness all around.

Fabulous Florals

Cottagecore is about your exteriors just as much as the interiors, and bringing the outside in. Whether you have the space or interest in gardening, think about ways to incorporate florals into your decor, whether through wall art, textiles, furniture, or with real-life flower arrangements. It will make your space feel connected to nature all year-round, and give a pastoral vibe that softens your space.

Is there a cottage décor choice you love? Post photos on Facebook or Instagram and tag @LLFlooringOfficial to share!

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In this video, Designer Heather Fox explains a mid-century modern renovation with a remarkable ceiling feature.