How to Embrace Cottagecore Summer Decor
There’s something magical about summer that makes me want to throw open all the windows, let the sunshine pour in, and surround myself with the simple joys of nature. That’s why I’ve fallen head over heels for cottagecore summer decor. It’s a style that celebrates the beauty of a slower pace, embraces natural elements, and creates spaces that feel like a warm hug. In this article, I’m sharing my favorite ways to bring cottagecore charm into your home this summer, with ideas that are both practical and dreamy.
What Is Cottagecore and Why It’s Perfect for Summer
Cottagecore is more than just a decorating style—it’s a celebration of a simpler way of life. It draws inspiration from rural living, traditional crafts, and a connection to nature. Think wildflower bouquets in vintage pitchers, gingham tablecloths, and well-loved wooden furniture. What makes cottagecore so perfect for summer is how it embraces the season’s abundance—fresh flowers, garden produce, and warm sunshine.
I discovered cottagecore a few years ago when I was looking for ways to make my home feel more peaceful. The hustle of modern life had left me craving something more authentic. When I brought in my first bouquet of wildflowers and placed them in my grandmother’s old mason jar, something clicked. The space instantly felt more alive, more genuine, and deeply comforting.
Bringing the Garden Inside: Natural Elements
The heart of cottagecore summer decor is bringing nature indoors. I’ve found that incorporating plants and flowers is the quickest way to capture that cottagecore feeling.
Wildflower Arrangements
Nothing says cottagecore like loose, casual arrangements of wildflowers. I love to gather daisies, queen anne’s lace, and whatever else is blooming in my garden or along country roads. The key is to avoid anything too formal—these aren’t structured bouquets but rather casual gatherings that look like you just picked them (because you probably did!).
To display them, I use:
- Mason jars in various sizes
- Vintage milk bottles
- Antique ceramic pitchers
- Mismatched teacups for smaller arrangements
Pro tip: Change the water daily and add a drop of bleach to extend the life of your arrangements.
Potted Herbs and Indoor Plants
Beyond cut flowers, potted herbs bring both beauty and function to cottagecore spaces. I keep basil, mint, and rosemary on my kitchen windowsill in terracotta pots. Not only do they look charming, but I can snip fresh herbs while cooking.
For larger spaces, consider:
- Ferns in woven baskets
- Lavender plants in vintage containers
- Small lemon trees if you have enough light
- Trailing ivy on open shelving
The irregular shapes and varying heights create that “grown, not designed” look that’s essential to cottagecore style.
Light and Airy: Summer Textiles
Heavy fabrics have no place in summer cottagecore decor. I’ve learned to swap out heavier textiles for lighter options that catch the breeze and let spaces breathe.
Natural Fiber Curtains
I replaced my heavier curtains with sheer cotton or linen panels that billow gently in the summer breeze. They filter sunlight beautifully, creating a dreamy, dappled effect in the room. For a true cottagecore look, I sometimes use vintage tablecloths or tea towels as cafe curtains in the kitchen.
Slipcovers and Summer Bedding
White or natural linen slipcovers instantly lighten up furniture. I throw mine over my sofa and armchairs each summer. They’re practical too—most can be washed when they inevitably get stained from all those garden berries I bring in!
For bedding, I can’t resist:
- Eyelet or broderie anglaise duvet covers
- Vintage-inspired floral sheets
- Light quilts in patchwork patterns
- Embroidered pillowcases handed down from my grandmother
Vintage Charm: Thrifted and Antique Finds
One of my favorite aspects of cottagecore is how it celebrates items with history and character. I’m constantly on the lookout for pieces that bring that timeworn charm to my spaces.
Display Collections
I’ve found that grouping similar vintage items creates visual impact. Some of my favorite collections include:
- Vintage teacups arranged on an open shelf
- Old mason jars in various blue hues lined up on a windowsill
- Antique wooden spoons and rolling pins in a crock on the counter
- Vintage botanical prints framed and hung in a gallery wall
Functional Antiques
The best vintage finds are the ones you can actually use. I’ve incorporated:
- An old pie safe repurposed as a linen cabinet
- A farmhouse table that shows its age through nicks and scratches
- Wicker baskets for storage throughout the house
- Antique bread boards for serving summer fruits
The beauty of these pieces is that they don’t need to be perfect. In fact, the scratches, chips, and patina are what give them character and cottagecore appeal.
Summer Kitchen: Heart of the Cottagecore Home
The kitchen is where cottagecore truly comes alive in summer. It’s where garden bounty is transformed, preserved, and celebrated.
Open Shelving with Seasonal Displays
I removed some of my upper cabinet doors to create open shelving where I display:
- Mason jars filled with dried beans, pasta, and grains
- Vintage serving pieces in complementary colors
- Fresh fruit in wooden bowls
- A small collection of antique cookbooks
The key is to keep things organized enough to be functional but relaxed enough to feel lived-in.
Farmer’s Market Display
I dedicated a corner of my kitchen counter to displaying the week’s farmer’s market finds. A wooden bowl of peaches, a bundle of fresh herbs in a jar of water, and a basket of tomatoes not only look beautiful but remind me to use these seasonal treasures before they spoil.
Dining Al Fresco: Taking Cottagecore Outdoors
Cottagecore isn’t limited to indoor spaces. Some of my favorite summer moments happen around my outdoor dining table.
Table Settings
For outdoor dining, I embrace cottagecore with:
- Mismatched vintage plates and flatware
- Mason jars as drinking glasses
- Gingham or floral tablecloths
- Cloth napkins in complementary patterns
- Small jars of freshly picked flowers
Lighting for Evening Gatherings
As the sun sets, I create magic with:
- Mason jars filled with fairy lights
- Vintage lanterns with candles
- String lights draped through nearby trees or along a fence
- Taper candles in mismatched holders down the center of the table
The warm glow creates the perfect ambiance for lingering conversations that stretch long into the summer evening.
DIY Projects to Enhance Your Cottagecore Summer
One of the joys of cottagecore is creating things by hand. Here are some of my favorite summer projects that anyone can do.
Pressed Flower Art
I collect flowers throughout the summer, press them between the pages of heavy books, and then create simple framed art. The process is easy:
- Gather flowers at their peak
- Place them between two sheets of parchment paper
- Insert into a heavy book and weight it down
- Wait 2-3 weeks until completely dry
- Arrange on acid-free paper and frame
These make beautiful additions to a gallery wall or sweet gifts for friends.
Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candles
There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own candles. The warm honey scent of beeswax is perfect for cottagecore spaces. I make mine by:
- Melting beeswax in a double boiler
- Dipping wicks repeatedly, allowing each layer to cool
- Hanging them to dry completely
The resulting tapers are slightly imperfect but beautiful in their handmade quality.
Lavender Sachets
I sew simple square sachets from scraps of vintage fabric, fill them with dried lavender from my garden, and tuck them into drawers and linen closets. The subtle scent is a lovely reminder of summer days even as the season changes.
Color Palettes for Cottagecore Summer
While cottagecore embraces natural elements, color plays an important role too. I tend to stick to a few specific palettes that enhance the summer feeling.
Soft Pastels
Gentle, washed-out colors create a dreamy atmosphere:
- Buttermilk yellow
- Dusty rose
- Pale sage green
- Soft cornflower blue
- Lilac
These colors remind me of sun-faded fabrics hanging on a clothesline and have a nostalgic quality that’s perfect for cottagecore.
Natural Neutrals with Pops of Color
Another approach I love is to start with a neutral base:
- Creamy whites
- Natural linens
- Warm woods
- Woven grasses
Then add concentrated pops of color through:
- Bright wildflowers
- Colorful vintage pieces
- Fresh fruits and vegetables on display
This approach feels fresh and allows the natural elements to take center stage.
Small Spaces, Big Cottagecore Energy
You don’t need a sprawling farmhouse to embrace cottagecore. I’ve helped friends bring this aesthetic into studio apartments and small urban spaces with great success.
Window Gardens
Even with just a windowsill, you can create a mini-garden that brings nature inside:
- Herbs in small terracotta pots
- A single climbing plant on a small trellis
- Microgreens growing in a shallow dish
Focused Vignettes
Rather than trying to transform an entire small space, create concentrated moments of cottagecore charm:
- A small side table with a vintage lamp and a bud vase
- A carefully arranged bookshelf with a few natural elements
- A breakfast nook with a small vase of wildflowers and cloth napkins
These focused areas bring joy without overwhelming the space.
Maintaining the Balance: Cottagecore Without Clutter
One challenge with cottagecore is keeping it from looking cluttered. I’ve learned that editing is just as important as adding.
Rotating Seasonal Displays
I don’t display all my cottagecore treasures at once. Instead, I rotate them seasonally, which keeps spaces fresh and prevents them from feeling overcrowded.
Quality Over Quantity
Instead of filling every surface, I choose fewer pieces that truly speak to me. One perfect vintage pitcher filled with garden roses makes more impact than dozens of smaller items competing for attention.
Bringing Cottagecore to Modern Homes
Not everyone lives in a charming cottage with original hardwood floors and beamed ceilings. I’ve discovered ways to bring cottagecore elements into even the most modern spaces.
Softening Modern Architecture
In homes with sleek, contemporary lines, I add softness through:
- Rounded forms like oval braided rugs
- Draped textiles that break up straight lines
- Organic shapes in artwork and accessories
- Plants that introduce irregular, natural forms
Finding the Middle Ground
You don’t have to go full Little House on the Prairie to embrace cottagecore. I often recommend a balanced approach that honors both the home’s architecture and the desired aesthetic:
- Modern furniture with vintage-inspired textiles
- Clean-lined spaces with carefully chosen antique pieces
- Contemporary art mixed with pressed botanical specimens
- Sleek kitchens with open shelving displaying vintage pottery
Embracing Imperfection: The Heart of Cottagecore
Perhaps the most important aspect of cottagecore is its celebration of imperfection. In a world obsessed with flawless Instagram backdrops, cottagecore reminds us that true beauty often lies in the slightly askew, the lovingly mended, the patina of use.
I’ve learned to see beauty in:
- The scratched farm table that tells stories of family gatherings
- Handmade pottery with slight variations in glaze
- Garden flowers that aren’t perfectly symmetric
- Vintage linens with the occasional mended tear
This embrace of imperfection extends beyond decor—it’s about creating a home that feels genuinely lived in and loved, not just photographed.
Seasonal Transitions: Cottagecore Through the Year
While this article focuses on summer cottagecore, I find joy in adapting the aesthetic as the seasons change. Elements like dried flowers, preserved herbs, and richer textiles can transition a summer cottagecore space into fall and beyond.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Cottagecore Style
What I love most about cottagecore is how personal it can be. My version emphasizes garden elements and vintage textiles, while my friend’s interpretation leans more heavily on antique furniture and handcrafts. There’s no one right way to do cottagecore.
I encourage you to explore what aspects of this aesthetic resonate most with you. Perhaps it’s the connection to nature, the appreciation of handmade items, or the celebration of simple pleasures like a perfect peach ripened in the summer sun.
Whatever draws you to cottagecore, I hope this guide helps you create spaces that feel like a deep breath on a perfect summer day—relaxed, natural, and genuinely you. After all, the true essence of cottagecore isn’t about achieving a certain look, but about creating a home that supports a slower, more intentional way of living through the beautiful summer months and beyond.
So gather those wildflowers, throw open the windows, and let the summer breeze carry you into the enchanting world of cottagecore decor. I promise, your home—and quite possibly your life—will be all the lovelier for it.
If you love home decor and interior design as much as I do, check out these other articles I think you might like.
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