Love cottagecore? Here’s how to pull it off.

Are you charmed by floral prints, an eclectic mix of vintage furnishings, and richly layered spaces that exude warmth and romance? If so, your aesthetic is decidedly cottagecore. And while decor can certainly set the scene, don’t overlook the power of windows and doors to bring your look to life in a more architecturally authentic way. We’ll show you how to make the right selections whether you’re starting fresh in a new construction home or remodeling a country manor.  

Cottagecore is a rising design trend that gets its name from the bucolic 18th century English countryside cottages. The aesthetic reflects a perspective favoring authenticity, imperfection, and nostalgia — think of cozy manors and eclectically curated spaces reminiscent of 90s romantic comedies.

Characteristics of a cottagecore home include timeless, natural materials; warm palettes and classic patterns; thrifted decor and heirloom furniture. Elements that are purposely well-loved — slightly worn furniture, faded textiles — and when layered together tell a charming story. It’s a definite departure from the all-white minimalism that’s dominated home design in recent years. 

Cottagecore is rooted in traditional style so the windows that suit it tend to harken back to a more historic look. Here are some suggestions that’ll help you get started.

Double-hung and single-hung windows are a natural fit but don’t overlook casement windows either. Windows with thicker, more ornate frames and detailed trim (also called casing or millwork), which is the decorative woodwork around a window, can complement this style. We also love the traditional charm that grilles can add, particularly with a colonial (rectangles) or diamond pattern. 

A good place to start? Look at the windows available through the 400 Series and the A-Series product lines.

A cottage sash window is a double-hung window that has a shorter top sash than bottom sash. Double- and single-hung windows have two sashes that are usually the same height (called “equal”). Selecting a varied height cottage sash is a design decision that you understandably might not have considered, or even have been aware of, but you should know it’s a perfect way to add historic charm to your windows, especially when the difference is emphasized through grilles. It’s a subtle detail that will add polish and sophistication to a traditional home with a cottagecore aesthetic. Find this option available with our 400 Series, E-Series, and A-Series. (Ratios between the two sashes vary depending on product line.)

Although we often think of windows as functional elements that, very importantly, bring in light and fresh air — they also play an aesthetic role. Their arrangement on a home’s exterior can help create a composition that establishes your home’s style. On a cottagecore home, you might want your windows arranged in a symmetrical composition as that’s one aspect of more traditional design. One statement-making way to do that is with a bay window, as discussed above. Another way is by adding dormer windows. Dormers are windows that protrude from a roof. They serve a function by letting more natural light into the upper story, but they also add to a home’s character in a way that’s perfectly appropriate to a cottagecore aesthetic, especially when they line up with windows on a lower story — for that pleasing symmetry.

Other considerations to keep in mind when picking out windows to complement a cottagecore exterior are line and color.  

• Pick out arch-top windows or select prominent grilles that are applied to the exterior of your window glass to nod to the detail and craftsmanship of this aesthetic.  
  
• Consider a more intricate grille pattern, for example diamonds or a 6-over-6 (or even 12-over-12) colonial pattern, to add historic flair.  
  
• Let nature inspire your exterior color palette to hint at the rural roots of this style — maybe it’s warm whites with natural wood tones or rustic browns with woodsy greens.  
  

Whatever window shape, grilles, or color you select, consistent application is key to grounding your look in a cottagecore aesthetic.