Cottagecore decor has become extremely popular in the last decade or so with several factors being the cause; however, cottagecore actually dates back much further than many realize. Roots of this aesthetic can be traced to ancient Greece, 19th century France, and others, leading up to today’s modern take on it.
The decor style has evolved, but the core elements of it remain the same – warmth, comfort, nostalgia, escape, and a fairy-tale feel. But how did it get popular in recent years?
Cottagecore’s Rise During the Pandemic
Pre-pandemic in 2020, cottagecore started to see a rise due to social media channels. An emphasis on this aesthetic was highlighted by a popular TikTok account. But during the COVID-19 lockdowns, people found themselves wanting an escape within their own homes. Everyone wanted something soothing, familiar, and warm. Roots of this aesthetic can be traced to ancient Greece, 19th century France, and others, leading up to today’s modern take on it.
As Better Homes & Gardens noted, “While at home throughout the pandemic, many of us reconsidered our spaces and spent time on domestic activities like cooking, gardening, and hobbies like needlepoint”
This aesthetic also took off with people showing off their new and improved (and vintage) decor updates.
The Ancient Origins of Cottagecore
As Recollections explains, “Most of the reputable sources I used for my research pointed to Ancient Greece as creating the first cottagecore craze”.
Although cottagecore seems to be a recent phenomenon amongst interior designers and housekeepers, it has its roots as far back as Ancient Greece. Places like Arcadia became country getaways, especially with the metropolis of Alexandria.
Marie Antoinette and the Fantasy of Rural Life
Move centuries later and the same aesthetic and reasoning for this decor are realized in the 19th Century, by the famous Marie Antoinette. The French queen famously sought refuge from the pressures of court life in her personal retreat, Hameau de la Reine.
Marie even adopted a wardrobe of flowing cotton dresses, much like the feminine, vintage-inspired fashion associated with cottagecore today. As Recollections states, “Besides creating her own little piece of domestic heaven, Marie Antoinette also famously adopted a country wardrobe that is quintessentially cottagecore still today”.
How Cottagecore Became a Modern Trend
As Architectural Digest explains, “Some saw cottagecore emerging as early as 2017, but most say that it really came into its own in 2019, thanks in part to its popularity on TikTok”. On top of that, the 2020 pandemic gave a lot of lockins the chance to try out this warm and cozy aesthetic. If they were going to be at home for long periods of time, might as well make something of it. Roots of this aesthetic can be traced to ancient Greece, 19th century France, and others, leading up to today’s modern take on it.
Years after the pandemic, the aesthetic has not lost popularity but continues to make waves, even with a dark cottagecore aesthetic for a dark woods vibe. For those looking to incorporate this style, exploring cottagecore decor is the perfect way to start.Roots of this aesthetic can be traced to ancient Greece, 19th century France, and others, leading up to today’s modern take on it.
