Here’s the secret: the cottagecore lifestyle isn’t about productivity. It’s about joy. Sometimes I braid my hair and wear a flowing dress for no reason. Sometimes I draw, arrange flowers, or write letters I’ll never send. These little “childlike” habits help me stay close to wonder and whimsy.
There’s something about the idea of living in a storybook cottage that just makes my heart sigh. The slow mornings. The scent of something baking. Lace curtains dancing in the breeze. While I may not live in a real-life forest hideaway like something out of Howl’s Moving Castle (yet), I’ve found that with the right rituals, details, and mindset… I can feel like I do.
Here are the little things I do (sometimes daily, sometimes seasonally) that help me romanticize my space and embrace the cottagecore lifestyle. Whether you’re in a city apartment or a quiet home in the woods, these soft touches can turn any space into your own dreamy escape.
1. I Bake Something Simple (Even Just Bread or Biscuits)
Fresh or dried flowers, bundles of herbs, fallen branches, pressed leaves… nature makes the best décor when living the cottagecore lifestyle. I place little bits of greenery in old mason jars, hang eucalyptus in the shower, and keep a tiny dish of foraged treasures near the window.
Try this: Make a “seasonal shelf” where you swap in natural elements from the current season. Spring cherry blossoms, summer lavender, autumn leaves, winter pine… let your home tell the story of the year.
2. I Decorate With Nature (Not Just for Aesthetics, But for Peace)
Fresh or dried flowers, bundles of herbs, fallen branches, pressed leaves—nature makes the best décor. I place little bits of greenery in old jars, hang eucalyptus in the shower, and keep a tiny dish of foraged things near the window.
Try this: Make a “seasonal shelf” where you swap in natural elements from the current season.
3. I Keep a Morning Basket for Slow Starts
A cozy morning basket embodies the cottagecore lifestyle perfectly. Mine holds a pretty journal, a floral mug, dried lavender, and a rotating stack of books or magazines. I pull it out when I want to begin my day in softness (with tea, quiet reading, and absolutely no pressure to be productive).
Think Anne Shirley sipping tea while journaling about her dreams—that’s the energy we’re going for here.
4. I Light Candles and Twinkle Lights Constantly
Ambient lighting transforms everything and is essential to the cottagecore lifestyle. Even washing dishes or folding laundry feels magical when the room is glowing. I use beeswax taper candles for that rustic touch and keep fairy lights draped across shelves and windows year-round.
Soft light = soft mood. And soft mood = instant storybook energy.
5. I Romanticize the Everyday With Vintage Touches
The cottagecore lifestyle is all about finding beauty in simple moments. I try to add one “old-timey” thing to every space: a thrifted teacup on my nightstand, a lace doily under my plants, an embroidered hand towel in the kitchen. These small details add layers of charm and texture, making the ordinary feel precious.
Little things I love:
- Antique keys as decoration
- Floral tea towels
- Handwritten labels for pantry jars
- Vintage books stacked on side tables
6. I Listen to Nature or Cottage-Inspired Sounds
Instead of constant background noise, the cottagecore lifestyle embraces gentler sounds. I often play forest ambiance, rain sounds, or soft piano music. Sometimes, I even play a “cottagecore kitchen” playlist while cooking. It completely shifts the mood from rushed to romantic.
What I listen to:
- Forest sounds on YouTube or Spotify
- Crackling fireplace audio
- Folk music and acoustic covers
- Cottagecore ambiance videos with light rain
7. I Surround Myself With Scents That Feel Earthy or Nostalgic
Scents are one of the fastest ways to transport yourself, so they’re perfect for the cottagecore lifestyle. I diffuse essential oils like rosemary, cedar, or wild orange, and love natural perfumes with notes of rose, vanilla, or moss.
Scents I love:
- Linen spray that smells like fresh air and lavender
- Handmade soap bars with floral or herbal blends
- Incense sticks for evening wind-downs
- Simmering pots with cinnamon and orange peels
8. I Let Myself Play (Even If It’s Just for a Minute)
Here’s the secret: the cottagecore lifestyle isn’t about productivity—it’s about joy. Sometimes I braid my hair and wear a flowing dress for no reason. Sometimes I draw, arrange flowers, or write letters I’ll never send. These little “childlike” habits help me stay close to wonder and whimsy.
Magic Lives in the Details
You don’t need ivy-covered walls or a garden full of roses to embrace the cottagecore lifestyle. You just need intention. A little softness. A slow cup of tea and something blooming on the windowsill.
The cottagecore lifestyle shows us that romance exists in the everyday… in the ritual of morning coffee, in the way afternoon light filters through curtains, in the simple act of choosing beauty over efficiency. Let yourself lean into this gentle way of being. You deserve that magic, especially on a Monday.
What’s your favorite way to bring cottagecore vibes into your daily routine? I’d love to hear about the small details that make your space feel magical.
Related posts:
Your Complete Cottagecore Aesthetic Guide: Creating a Life of Simple Beauty
The Ultimate Fairytale Packing Guide: 10 Whimsical Essentials for Your Weekend Getaway
8 Cottagecore Habits That Will Transform Your Fall Into Pure Magic
Embracing Mindful Living This Autumn: A Cottagecore Guide to Soft Girl Serenity
Cottagecore Living: End-of-Summer Edition