This post shows you 20 stunning dark and cozy cottage-core ideas.
We adore @dwelling.small ‘s cozy cottage and after this post we know you will too!
These 20 cottage-core ideas are sure to inspire your creativity to build your very own dark and cozy cottage at home!
Whether you are the owner of a cottage or are looking to get that cottage-core feel in your apartment or house – there are so many ways to incorporate cottage decor and design into your home.
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How to make your home feel cozy
Cottage-core at it’s foundation is all about coziness and it’s easy to achieve that cozy cottage feel no matter what space your working in.
Creating a cozy cottage-core space can be as simple as adding floral or botanical artwork to your walls or incorporating rustic elements such as a reclaimed wooden coffee table.
The extent with which you want to embrace cottage-core is entirely up to you and your style preferences. If you prefer a more minimalist or maximalist design, cottage-core is a great, adaptable style to work with either.
Bring cottage inspired decor and design into just one or all of the rooms of your home- the great thing about cottage-core is it can blend wonderfully with other decor styles throughout rooms.
What does cottage core mean?
So what is cottage-core? Cottage-core is an aesthetic that is heavily inspired by rural and rustic decor. Think a charming and cozy cottage tucked away in the forest, soft light filtering through lace curtains. Vintage furniture and handcrafted items dotted throughout the room, all working together to create a warm and inviting ambiance – that’s cottage-core.
Types of textiles to consider if you’re trying to achieve a cottage-core look in your home.
- Linen, Cotton and Wool
- Burlap, Tulle and Muslin
- Hand-crafted textiles: Embroidery, Quilted Cotton ( woven cotton or linen )
What to include to achieve cottage core interiors
- Kitchen – Incorporate vintage (or vintage-inspired) kitchen appliances to lean into a cottage-core kitchen.
- Bedroom – Opt for warm, earthy colored bed sheets and throw pillows to give your bedroom a cozy cottage feel.
- Living Room – make use of natural lighting or add ambient lighting with candles in your living room space to add to the cottage-core vibes.
Dark and cozy cottage core ideas
1. Bedroom
image credit: @dwelling.small
Bring the cozy charm of a cottage into your bedroom – using soft neutral colored bedding, mixing textures and patterns to add variety and depth. Opt for vintage or repurposed furniture to add to the rural cottage feel.
We love this bedroom gallery wall of vintage portraits and other artwork!
2. Living room
image credit: @dwelling.small
Similarly to the bedroom, incorporating mixed textiles and more earthy, neutral tones will create the perfect cottage ambiance. Display well-loved books and lots of plants to add extra cottage-inspired rustic decor to the room.
Trailing plants are a great way to fill an otherwise empty wall space or across a gallery wall like above!
3. Reading nook
image credit: @dwelling.small
A cozy little reading nook is a must-have when creating a cottage-core home!
Find a quiet corner in your home and create the perfect little reading oasis. Cover a comfy armchair with a soft throw blanket and add some ambient lighting onto a side table to really set the mood for some restful reading.
Related: 15 Dark Moody Bedroom Decor ideas to copy now!
4. Kitchen
image credit: @dwelling.small
Let your cottage-core dreams go wild in your kitchen! The kitchen is the ideal place to incorporate cottage inspired functional decor such as vintage and rustic crockery, mason jars or even rolling pins – open shelving is a great way to showcase your kitchen items as decor. Be sure to stick to soft, pastel colors for cupboards or back-splash tiling.
Consider vintage inspired faucets and cupboard handles to really level up your cottage-core inspired kitchen!
5. Office
image credit: @dwelling.small
Why not convert your study space into a cozy cottage-core hideaway that combines rustic charm with modern functionality. Repurposed furniture for your desk and office chair will create a sense of calming atmosphere for studying. Include decor pieces such as vintage paintings or potted plants to add a personal touch to the space.
6. Wallpaper
image credit: @dwelling.small
When working with a cottage inspired decor theme don’t feel the need to shy away from wallpapers. Opt for floral or botanical designs when searching for a wallpaper to incorporate in your cottage-core home.
Compliment these wallpaper patterns with framed floral or botanical prints.
7. Guest bedroom
image credit: @dwelling.small
Don’t overlook your guest bedroom when designing your dream cottage-core home. Consider soft and subtle patterned bed sheets and throws and compliment these with varying throw pillows. Why not opt for embroidered or crocheted throw pillows for variety. Make sure to remember the type of lighting for your guest bedroom, candles and warmer lighting is the best.
Include potted plants in your guest bedroom to bring life and nature inside!
8. Gallery Wall
image credit: @dwelling.small
Gallery walls are the perfect way to showcase your vintage artwork at home!
Got some empty wall space you’re looking to fill? Why not opt for a gallery wall? Look in antique or second-hand shops for older vintage art, opt for a variety of different colored wooden frames to add a more dynamic look to the wall.
9. Wood Paneling
image credit: @dwelling.small
Elevate your bedroom space with this wall behind bed wood paneling. The perfect way to incorporate a rustic ambiance into your bedroom. Opt for repurposed wood to lean in to that rural cottage-core vibe.
Consider including wall decor around the wood paneling, such as wall-mounted candles or a painting.
10. Coffee Bar
image credit: @dwelling.small
Coffee bars are a great spot for including vintage-inspired kitchen appliances. Opt for marble or stone counter-tops and soft pastel shades for cupboard doors.
We love the incorporation of a mirror at this coffee bar – a unique choice that expands your space!
11. Fall Decor
image credit: @dwelling.small
Love fall decor – cottage-core is the perfect excuse to incorporate the fall vibes all year round.
Cottage inspired decor often incorporates lots of floral or botanical design naturally and this can well if you want to include fall decor seasonally or more permanently.
Give a nod to the fall season with subtle decor pieces like this pumpkin cushion or fall themed artwork, this way you can keep them up all year round.
12. Vintage Decor
image credit: @dwelling.small
We love @dwelling.small ‘s living room set up – the variety of vintage decor pieces blend perfectly.
Contrasting textures and patterns can be incorporated into a living room space with throw blankets and pillows but why with artwork or crockery – bring extra depth and character to your room by opting for a more unusual decor piece, step away from the norm!
13. Hobby Room
image credit: @dwelling.small
Okay, we know not everyone has a piano in their house but we just had to include this image for all of it’s charming decor pieces.
Plants play such a key role in this area and bring a sense of nature and outdoors – inside! Large leaved plants are the best for creating that overgrown garden vibe in your house.
Consider the plant pots you can use to house your plants – why not step outside the norm and pot your plants inside unique and up-cycled decor items like chipped crockery, glassware or even an old typewriter!
14. Mirrors
image credit: @dwelling.small
Working with a smaller space – consider adding a mirror wall to add extra charm and make the room feel more spacious. Similarly to the gallery wall make sure to opt for varying frames to create that cottage-core feel.
Shout-out to the hat in this image – what a great example of a piece of functional decor!
15. Fireplace
image credit: @dwelling.small
When working with a fireplace it can be easy to neglect – fireplaces in themselves feel very fitting with the cottage-core theme but don’t miss out on an opportunity to elevate your space.
Consider the decor pieces you can display on your fireplace mantel, decor crockery, plants or framed artwork can really give a fireplace that cozy cottage feel.
16. Desk Decor
image credit: @dwelling.small
Creating a space that makes you want to work? What could be better!
Little details of cottage inspired decor can go a long way when decorating your desk space. Small, low-maintenance succulents can add a touch of greenery without requiring much care.
Candles can be a great decorative and functional piece but make sure to consider a good lighting source when designing a desk space.
17. Bathroom
image credit: @dwelling.small
When creating a cottage inspired home don’t forget your bathroom – this space is perfect for incorporating cottage-core. Consider the smaller details of your bathroom such as soap dispensers and containers – vintage glass or ceramic elements like these can be a simple way to add cottage-core decor to your bathroom.
If you’re working with a bigger space – why not use a freestanding bathtub, these can be a great functional statement piece and it’s easy to find vintage-inspired freestanding tubs.
18. Shelves
image credit: @dwelling.small
Even more mundane furniture items like shelving can be transformed into charming focal points in your dark and cozy cottage-inspired home.
Be sure to display items that match your cottage aesthetic, choosing neutral toned pieces that will compliment each other and the rest of the space.
If you have less cottage-core inspired artwork or images you’d like to display opt for rustic or vintage frames to help blend them.
19. Christmas Decor
image credit: @dwelling.small
When decorating for Christmas in a cottage-core inspired home aim to use vintage or vintage-inspired Christmas decor. Hand-made dried orange garlands fit perfectly with the vintage cottage-core theme. Avoid excessive Christmas lights, instead find Christmas candles holders to add light but retain the dark and cozy cottage ambiance.
Faux fur rugs or throw blankets are another essential for a cottage-core Christmas!
20. Coffee Table Decor
image credit: @dwelling.small
Make your coffee table a focal point in your living room space by adding unique decor pieces.
We love @dwelling.small ‘s use of a wicker basket as a way to display books – this could also work perfectly for displaying magazines or even for holding coasters.
Cottage core interiors in your home
Bringing cottage-core into your home is all about embracing the dark coziness and charm of cottage decor and interior design.
Whether you’re working with a cozy apartment or a warm modern home – cottage-core can adapt to work with you. From unique kitchen decor to calm little reading nooks – cottage-core is the perfect decor style for creating a dark, rustic warm atmosphere in your home.
Happy designing and bringing cottage-core essence to every corner of your home!
You may also like:
- 15 Cozy Earthy Living Room Ideas to Love in 2024
- 15 Dark Moody Bedroom Decor ideas to copy now
- 12 Best Fall Living Room Ideas for your home
- 21 Gorgeous Coffee Bar Station Ideas (that will inspire)
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This post shows you 20 dark and cozy cottage-core decor ideas.
