What is Cottagecore?

Imagine living a slow life where you spend your days taking long walks and picnics in the forest, baking your own apple tarts and bread and tending to your carefully grown plants in the garden. Sounds dreamy doesn’t it?

Welcome to the world of cottagecore, a lifestyle trend inspired by the best parts of living in a cottage in the rural countryside. The fairy-tale like, romanticised mood that this trend evokes has grown in popularity in recent times, as more people seeking comfort in nostalgic and back to basics activities.

If you too would like to try out the #cottagecore trend and experience for yourself the wholesome delights of a natural lifestyle, here are three activities that you can pick up.

Feel like you are living in a country home by baking your own sourdough bread or pastries, so that the tantalising scent of these freshly made treats will waft through your home. Newcomers to baking can also consider using a bread maker to bake loafs according to your own recipes with ease. For best results, start with a healthy, fully-developed sourdough starter (give it about five days to be ready) as this will give a good rise to your bread. 

You can’t go wrong by investing in gorgeous and sturdy bakeware such as those from Le Creuset. Its signature cast iron French oven is a versatile classic that can be used for casseroles, stews, pot roasting. It is also recommended for baking as it provides a moist, humid environment that allows the dough to rise well and develop a good crust.

Complete the set with a matching spatula, an essential kitchen tool that carries out a wide range of kitchen tasks from blending ingredients to cleanly scraping surfaces - and is aesthetically pleasing when styling photographs as well. 

Bring a bit of the rural outdoors into your home with a small indoor garden so you can enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing your favourite houseplants. From beautifying your personal space to having a calming effect and even keeping the air in your home clean, there are many benefits to bringing a bit of nature into your abode.

If you wish to savour your own garden-to-table meals, you can try growing some edible plants too. Start with herbs that are easy to care for, such as basil or mint and as you get more accustomed to caring for your plants, you can gradually add more to your garden - and eventually your plate. For best results, find out what plants thrive in your local climate.

The cottagecore aesthetic can be further achieved by using a variety of decorative planters and stands to organise your garden. To stay true to this theme, stick to items in earth-toned colours and are made of sustainable materials such as recycled wood or recyclable woven fibers like the Scene Shang weave planter. 

Even if you live in a modern city apartment, you can still enjoy the cottagecore aesthetic with a few well-chosen additions to your home. Bring a bit of that country life simplicity into your personal space by picking furnishing and home decor items that are in neutral tones and come in a variety of natural textures.

The wooden furniture by Scanteak is great for the rustic-style look and a few curated pieces, such as a teak wood bench or a sturdy bedside table will transform your space effortlessly.

If you have children, consider adding a few pieces of rattan furnishings in their rooms for a whimsical touch.

Complete the cosy ambience with a jute rug and bamboo garden scented candles and you are all set to snuggle in with a warm cuppa and a book for some relaxing slow living.