What Is Cottagecore?
If you’ve ever looked at a photo of a bedroom and thought, “this feels like the opening scene of a kid’s fantasy film from the 90s”, you’re already halfway to cottagecore.
In simple terms, cottagecore is an aesthetic built around comfort, natural textures, soft colours and a relaxed, rural charm. Think warm wood, floral fabrics, tea in chipped mugs, and the belief that life probably would be easier if we befriended woodland creatures. It’s a vibe.
Below are ten easy, Insta-friendly and achievable ideas you can use to bring the cottagecore feel into your bedroom, with nothing so obscure that you’ll struggle to find it online or on your local high street. (Though we did briefly consider including a huge taxidermy moose head…)
10 - Soft Pastel Bedding and Natural Textures
Start with the basics. Cottagecore bedrooms lean heavily into bedding that looks like it belongs in a cinematic soft focus moment. Pastel colours, busy florals, natural cotton and linen all work beautifully.
Your space needs to feel warm and sheltered from the kind of weather a flustered suitor might brave for a romantic gesture on your doorstep. Think heavy knit blankets, or even better - a heated throw.
9. Layered Lighting for Evening Glow
Cottagecore is fiercely anti-harsh overhead lights, so swap dentist-white bulbs for warm-toned lamps. Wicker lampshades, lantern-style lamps or warm fairy lights can soften the space instantly.
Soft lighting sets the tone for when you inevitably cosy up to read a handwritten letter or press flowers in leather-bound books. Because that’s what you spend your time doing now, we assume.
8. Floral Prints and Vintage-Inspired Decor
Bring in florals through cushions, curtains, or prints. You don’t need to turn the room into Grandma’s guest room; just add small touches to soften the look. Pair them with vintage-inspired accessories like ceramic vases, framed botanical illustrations or a classic analogue alarm clock. Easy to find, easy to photograph, and comfortably nostalgic.
7. A Cosy Reading Corner
A cottagecore bedroom practically demands a reading nook. A comfy chair, a side table, soft lighting and a stack of fusty books will do the job. Add blankets, cushions, and maybe a basket for throws to get the atmosphere just right for when you melt away into the pages.
Here’s a list of classic cottagecore page-turners to get you started:
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The Shady Hollow series by Juneau Black
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The Cottage Tales by Susan Wittig Albert
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The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
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The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Check out our post on how to create the perfect cosy reading nook for a deeper dive.
6. Warm Wood Furniture and Wicker Accents
Warm-toned wood instantly grounds the room and creates a calming, country feel. A wooden bedside table, shelving, or a chest of drawers fits the look perfectly. Add wicker baskets and shelving for storage, and the whole room starts to feel more Little Women, and less like Little Chef.
5. Houseplants, But Keep Them Low-Fuss
You don’t need to turn the room into a florist's. A few well-placed plants like ferns, ivy or a peace lily are enough to add fresh, natural softness. If you’re historically bad at keeping plants alive, fake ones absolutely count, and no one will zoom in close enough to judge you.
4. Soft Rugs for Instant Warmth
Nothing tops a rug for cosy vibes, there we said it. And we don’t even sell them, so you know we’re being sincere.
A soft rug creates warmth the second you step out of bed. Natural fibres like jute (it’s like soft wicker for your feet) or fluffy rugs in soft neutrals work perfectly.
Rugs also help zone the room if your bedroom has to serve multiple functions as a workspace, dressing area, or gaming (see number 2).
There’s just nothing cosy about ice-cold feet or the shrill cry of a chair being scraped across a hardwood floor. Rugs, rugs, and more rugs are your answer.
3. A Touch of Whimsy with Vintage Trinkets
Cottagecore should feel charming and authentic rather than polished, so add little trinkets that give a bit of a ‘lived-in’ story to the space. Old books, childhood treasures, mismatched ceramic mugs, or an old camera or scrapbook.
You’ll find this kind of thing in dusty antique shops, or on eBay if you’ve got something specific in mind. Just keep your space curated and intentional rather than cluttered.
2. A Cosy Gaming Setup
Stay with us on this one. Cottagecore gaming is absolutely a thing.
While bygone eras and the simple life might not scream d-pads and download codes, cottagecore gaming has been thriving since titles like Stardew Valley helped us survive countless COVID lockdowns.
Spiritfarer, Wylde Flowers, Palia, Cozy Grove and the Story of Seasons franchise all lean heavily into the cottagecore aesthetic - there’s no shortage of great games to reach for when plans get cancelled.
But your bedroom gaming setup should embody embroidered cushions on a vintage chez lounge, not a futuristic cockpit with more gaudy LEDs than a vape shop window display.
Ditch the classic gaming setup look and blend the tech into the softness of the room. Add a cute lamp, pastel desk accessories, soft cushions or a warm-toned desk mat.
And if you’re playing handheld, cottagecore-themed cases exist for Switch and Steamdecks. (On Etsy, of course, because where else would they be).
2. Handmade or DIY Touches
Good news! You don’t need to take up five new crafts. A simple DIY garland, a repainted frame, an upcycled Facebook Marketplace find, or a dried flower arrangement is enough to add some handmade charm. Anything that looks like it came from a village fête and not a draughty enormo-warehouse fits the aesthetic.
Charity shops haven’t quite cottoned on to the cottagecore trend yet, so you might snag a few bargains at your local Sue Ryder. Just don’t tip off Doris behind the till, or she’ll start price-gouging folk for rattan in no time.
1. Bringing It All Together
The beauty of cottagecore is that you can start small. Soft bedding and warm lighting lay the foundations, then you can slowly add textures, plants and cosy corners as you go. The result is a calm, charming bedroom that feels like a small retreat from the pure chaos of everyday life.