The cottage core trend arrived on the scene a few years ago and is showing no sign of slowing down.

This style embraces the beauty of simplicity, favouring rustic designs and natural elements to create a comfortable, whimsical vibe. Achieve this aesthetic in any space with these easy ideas for a cozy cottage feeling at home.

How to achieve the cottage core aesthetic

1. Go-to colours

Sometimes a simple coat of paint is enough to trans- form a room’s atmosphere. To create the rustic-chic look that’s common to cottages, opt for rich and warm shades. Forest green lends an earthy, organic touch and pairs perfectly with all shades of wood, while copper, tan and cognac embody the cozy charm of a private retreat.

Try: Carob-AF-160 and Forest Green 2047-10 paint by Benjamin Moore

2. Cottage kitchen

Bring the bucolic vibes to your kitchen through your walls. Adorn your backsplash with vintage-inspired tiles in light neutral shades to evoke the relaxed, carefree joy of a weekend away at the cottage. Wooden accents like wainscotting and panel- ling offer a rustic look, especially if you go with reclaimed materials. If wallpaper is more your speed, try a textured variety in a subtle colour or pattern. Add natural beauty to the kitchen by installing shelves to display your favourite plants.

3. Ray of light

Opt for warm, soft lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere. Table lamps, pendants and wall lights can provide the illumination you need while also supplying a decorative touch. Dimmer switches are a great addition to your fixtures to adjust the lighting to your needs and achieve the ambience you desire.

4. Shop secondhand

Go treasure hunting for secondhand pieces that bring originality and personality to the room. Flea markets, antiques stores and thrift shops can be troves of fun knickknacks and quality furniture at the fraction of the price of a brand-new piece. Don’t forget to take your search online, too; social media communities, buy-and-sell websites and apps are full of hidden gems. Mix and match your finds to recreate the laid-back, effortless allure of a homey cottage.

5. Ode to nature

If you don’t have large windows, you can bring the outside in through wallpaper, murals, canvases or posters that celebrate the beauty of nature. For example, an artistic rendering of your favourite animal, season or flower evokes the natural world while making the space personal to you. Wood and stone can also help create this effect, reinforcing the outdoorsy charm by bringing these organic materials indoors to enjoy year-round.

6. Create a cocoon

To bring home the comforting and inviting cottage aesthetic, curate your textures carefully, prioritizing a variety of plush fabrics. Corduroy is seeing a resurgence this year, popping up on armchairs and sofas as well as cushion and duvet covers. Bouclé, a soft, textured fabric, is another trend that brings the coziness, along with faux fur and shearling. If your space has a lot of leather or wood, you can warm up the furniture with throw blankets, pillows, ottomans or rugs in these luxe fabrics without breaking the bank.

7. Work the walls

Create an ersatz headboard by adding reclaimed wooden floorboards (or an inexpensive option like faux wood paper) to the wall behind your bed. The look is chic yet cozy and can also be achieved with exposed brick or wallpaper that mimics the look of other natural materials like marble or stone.

8. Hone your hobbies

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