31 DIY Cottagecore Home Decor Ideas to Transform Your Space

Is your heart yearning for that cozy, nostalgic cottagecore vibe that’s taking over social media? Well, grab your favorite cup of tea and get comfortable because I’m about to share 31 absolutely charming DIY cottagecore decor ideas that’ll transform your space into the whimsical, nature-inspired retreat you’ve been dreaming of!

These projects are totally doable, budget-friendly, and will give your home that warm, lived-in feeling that’s at the heart of cottagecore aesthetic. Ready to roll up your sleeves and get crafty? Let’s dive in!

1. Pressed Flower Frame Gallery

Nothing says cottagecore like bringing the beauty of wildflowers indoors. Creating a gallery wall of pressed flowers is not only stunning but also preserves those special blooms you’ve collected on summer walks.

Step by Step:

1. Collect various wildflowers and leaves during your nature walks
2. Press them between heavy books for 2-3 weeks
3. Once dried, arrange them on acid-free paper
4. Place in thrifted or vintage frames with glass fronts
5. Hang in a cluster on a prominent wall, alternating sizes and shapes

Picture this: A whimsical arrangement of golden-framed pressed flowers adorning your living room wall, each frame telling the story of a different meadow adventure. The dried blooms—delicate Queen Anne’s lace, vibrant cornflowers, and sprigs of lavender—catch the afternoon light, casting gentle shadows on your cream-colored wall, bringing a touch of nature’s poetry indoors.

Enhance your home with more natural elements by exploring backyard oasis ideas for creating outdoor sanctuaries that complement your cottagecore aesthetic.

2. Mason Jar Herb Garden

Bring the charm of a cottage garden right to your kitchen windowsill with these adorable and practical herb jars.

Step by Step:

1. Collect several mason jars in various sizes
2. Fill the bottom with small pebbles for drainage
3. Add potting soil and herb seedlings like basil, thyme, and mint
4. Tie twine or gingham ribbon around the jar necks
5. Label each jar with a small wooden tag
6. Place in a sunny kitchen window

Picture this: Your kitchen window transformed into a miniature herb sanctuary, where sunlight dances through glass jars filled with vibrant greens. The aromatic herbs reach toward the light, their leaves catching dewdrops after morning misting. Hand-lettered wooden tags sway gently whenever you reach over to snip fresh herbs for your homemade bread, filling your kitchen with the scent of spring regardless of the season outside.

For more kitchen inspiration that complements your herb garden, check out country kitchen ideas that perfectly match the cottagecore aesthetic.

3. Vintage Teacup Candles

Transform thrifted teacups into charming, scented candles that add both light and whimsy to any room.

Step by Step:

1. Source vintage teacups from thrift stores or family heirlooms
2. Purchase soy wax flakes and cotton wicks
3. Melt wax according to package instructions
4. Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or vanilla
5. Secure the wick to the bottom of the cup with a dab of hot wax
6. Pour in the melted wax and allow to set overnight
7. Trim the wick to about ¼ inch before lighting

Picture this: As evening falls, you light your handmade teacup candles arranged on a vintage tray. The warm glow illuminates the delicate floral patterns painted on fine china that might have graced someone’s table a century ago. The gentle scent of lavender fills the room as flickering light dances across the ceiling, creating an atmosphere of timeless comfort and nostalgia that makes even the most modern space feel like a countryside cottage.

For a complete cozy atmosphere, consider pairing your candles with minimalist living room ideas that provide the perfect backdrop for your cottagecore accents.

4. Hand-Embroidered Pillow Covers

Nothing adds personality and craftsmanship to a space like hand-embroidered textiles.

Step by Step:

1. Purchase plain linen or cotton pillow covers
2. Draw or trace simple cottagecore designs (mushrooms, wildflowers, bees)
3. Secure fabric in an embroidery hoop
4. Use different colored embroidery floss to fill in your design
5. Focus on basic stitches: running stitch, back stitch, and French knots
6. Once complete, press with an iron on low heat
7. Place over existing pillows for an instant cottagecore upgrade

Picture this: Your sofa adorned with pillows featuring delicate embroidered scenes—a family of mushrooms nestled in moss, bumblebees hovering over lavender sprigs, and wildflower meadows that seem to sway with the breeze. Each stitch tells a story of slow living and patient crafting, the slightly imperfect lines adding authentic charm that no mass-produced item could ever replicate. Visitors can’t help but reach out to touch these tactile treasures that bring your space to life.

Transform your entire seating area with dark brown couch living room ideas that create the perfect foundation for showcasing your handcrafted pillows.

5. Dried Citrus Garland

Create a stunning, fragrant garland that brings color and cheer to your kitchen or dining area.

Step by Step:

1. Slice oranges, lemons, and limes into thin rounds
2. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
3. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
4. Dry in oven at 200°F (93°C) for 4-6 hours, flipping occasionally
5. Once completely dry, thread dried citrus on twine using a large needle
6. Intersperse with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and dried bay leaves
7. Hang above windows, doorways, or along open shelving

Picture this: Sunlight filtering through your kitchen window catches the translucent citrus wheels, transforming them into stained-glass medallions that cast amber and gold patterns across your walls. The subtle, refreshing scent of citrus mingles with warm spices, creating an inviting atmosphere that welcomes guests and family alike. This natural garland brings the warmth of summer sunshine into your home, even on the gloomiest winter day, its handmade charm epitomizing the cottagecore commitment to natural beauty and simple pleasures.

Complete your kitchen transformation with earthy kitchen ideas that harmonize perfectly with your citrus garland.

6. Botanical Print Collection

Create an eye-catching wall display using vintage or reproduction botanical prints.

Step by Step:

1. Search for free printable botanical illustrations online or in public domain archives
2. Print on high-quality paper with a slight cream tint
3. Distress the edges slightly with tea for an aged look
4. Frame in simple wooden frames, preferably thrifted or antique
5. Arrange in a grid or organic pattern on a focal wall
6. Consider adding actual pressed specimens alongside the prints

Picture this: Your dining room wall transformed into a naturalist’s study, where detailed illustrations of ferns, wildflowers, and mushrooms tell the story of the natural world. The slightly yellowed paper and weathered frames suggest these treasures might have been collected over decades of countryside wandering. Guests lean in to examine the delicate details of each rendering, sparking conversations about nature and beauty that linger long after dinner has ended.

For more display inspiration, browse bookshelf ideas to create the perfect home for your botanical print collection and nature finds.

7. Homemade Beeswax Wraps

Replace plastic wrap with beautiful, eco-friendly beeswax wraps that add cottagecore charm to your kitchen while reducing waste.

Step by Step:

1. Cut cotton fabric (floral prints work beautifully) into various sized squares
2. Sprinkle grated beeswax, pine resin, and a small amount of jojoba oil evenly over fabric
3. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
4. Heat in oven at 200°F (93°C) until wax melts completely
5. Remove and quickly spread melted wax evenly with a brush
6. Hang to dry for 5 minutes
7. Use to wrap cheese, produce, or cover bowls

Picture this: Your refrigerator opens to reveal food wrapped not in clinical plastic, but in fabric adorned with delicate wildflowers, preserved with golden beeswax that catches the light. These wraps mold perfectly around half-cut vegetables and homemade bread loaves, their gentle scent of honey adding to the sensory experience of your kitchen. Even food storage becomes part of your cottagecore aesthetic, blending sustainability with beauty in a way that would make your grandmother proud.

For more sustainable and charming kitchen ideas, explore tiny house kitchen ideas that maximize both function and cottagecore style.

8. Antique Doily Dreamcatcher

Transform vintage doilies into ethereal dreamcatchers that catch both dreams and admiring glances.

Step by Step:

1. Collect vintage doilies from thrift stores or family collections
2. Stretch each doily over an embroidery hoop or bent willow branch
3. Secure with strong thread, pulling taut
4. Attach lengths of ribbon, lace, and twine to the bottom edge
5. Add found feathers, small dried flowers, or wooden beads to the hanging elements
6. Create several in different sizes for a more dramatic effect
7. Hang near windows where they can catch light and breeze

Picture this: Above your bed hangs a constellation of delicate dreamcatchers, their intricate crocheted patterns casting lace-like shadows across your walls in the morning light. Ribbons in muted cream, sage, and dusty rose drift gently in the breeze from an open window, while the doilies—perhaps once gracing your grandmother’s table—have been given new life as protectors of peaceful sleep. These handmade treasures bring together generations of handicraft, their vintage charm perfectly embodying the cottagecore appreciation for objects with history and handmade character.

Create a complete restful sanctuary with minimalist bedroom ideas that provide the perfect backdrop for your dreamy doily creations.

I’ll continue with more DIY cottagecore decor ideas in the next sections!

9. Foraged Branch Candle Holder

Turn found branches into rustic, enchanted-forest-inspired candle holders.

Step by Step:

1. Collect fallen branches during woodland walks
2. Clean and remove bark if desired
3. Cut into segments about 4-6 inches tall
4. Drill holes sized for taper candles or tea lights
5. Sand any rough edges
6. Apply a thin coat of beeswax for a subtle sheen
7. Arrange in groups of varying heights

Picture this: Your dining table centered with an arrangement of wooden candleholders that seem to have grown straight from the forest floor. Beeswax candles rise from their centers, their warm glow reflecting off the natural wood grain that tells the story of the tree it once was. As dinner conversation flows, the dancing candlelight illuminates faces and creates an atmosphere of intimacy and wonder—as if your meal were taking place in a fairy tale clearing rather than your everyday dining room.

For more natural dining inspiration, explore minimalist dining room ideas that create the perfect setting for your handcrafted candle holders.

10. Vintage Book Page Wallpaper

Create a statement wall using pages from old books that can no longer be read.

Step by Step:

1. Source damaged vintage books with yellowed pages from library sales
2. Carefully remove pages with interesting text or illustrations
3. Prepare wall with wallpaper paste or Mod Podge
4. Apply pages in a collage-like pattern, overlapping slightly
5. Seal with a clear water-based varnish
6. Focus on a single wall or nook for maximum impact without overwhelming

Picture this: A cozy reading corner where the walls themselves seem to whisper stories, covered in the sepia-toned pages of novels, poetry collections, and illustrated field guides. Sunlight filters through nearby curtains, illuminating fragments of text—perhaps a love letter from a Jane Austen novel or a description of wildflowers from a Victorian nature guide. This living patchwork of literary history creates the perfect backdrop for afternoons spent lost in books, a tribute to storytelling that surrounds you with the gentle presence of words from another time.

Complement your literary-inspired space with antique bedroom ideas that capture the same timeless feeling as your book page wall.

11. Macramé Plant Hangers

Create beautiful hanging displays for your houseplants using the time-honored craft of macramé.

Step by Step:

1. Purchase cotton cord in natural color or soft pastels
2. Learn three basic macramé knots: square knot, spiral knot, and half-hitch
3. Measure and cut cords to desired length plus extra for knotting
4. Create a loop at the top for hanging
5. Work down in a pattern, leaving space for a plant pot
6. Add wooden beads for extra detail
7. Place potted plants (spider plants and pothos work beautifully) in the completed hangers

Picture this: Sunlight streams through your window, catching the intricate pattern of knotted cotton threads that suspend your flourishing plants from the ceiling. The creamy white cords frame cascading greenery, creating living art that brings movement and life to corners of your home. The slight imperfections in your handiwork add character, reminding you and visitors that these pieces were created by human hands—not machines—connecting your modern space to traditional crafts practiced for generations.

For more ideas to complement your hanging plants, check out sun-soaked spaces ideas that make the most of natural light.

12. Rustic Wooden Cake Stand

Create a statement piece for your kitchen or dining area that showcases your baked goods with cottagecore charm.

Step by Step:

1. Find a slice of log approximately 10-12 inches in diameter
2. Sand thoroughly until smooth, preserving natural edges
3. Apply food-safe mineral oil or beeswax finish
4. Optional: attach wooden furniture legs to the bottom for height
5. Seal again with food-safe finish
6. Allow to cure completely before using with food

Picture this: Your freshly baked sourdough bread or lavender-infused cake sitting proudly atop a platform that carries the story of the forest within its rings and grain. The warm wood tones complement the golden crust of your bread or the pastel frosting of your cake, elevating your baking from mere food to an artistic display. This stand becomes the centerpiece of gatherings, drawing eyes and sparking conversations about both the delicious treats it holds and the natural beauty of the wood itself.

Expand your entertaining space with apartment dining area ideas that make room for showcasing your handcrafted wooden pieces.

13. Lavender Sachets

Create sweet-smelling sachets to tuck into drawers, closets, or to give as homemade gifts.

Step by Step:

1. Cut small squares of cotton or linen fabric
2. Sew three sides with right sides together
3. Turn right side out
4. Fill with dried lavender buds
5. Add a pinch of rice to help absorb moisture
6. Sew the final side closed
7. Add a small ribbon loop if you want to hang them
8. Decorate with simple embroidery if desired

Picture this: Opening your dresser drawer to be greeted by the soothing scent of lavender escaping from hand-sewn sachets nestled among neatly folded clothes. The fabric—perhaps vintage floral patterns or simple unbleached linen with a sprig of lavender embroidered in purple thread—adds a touch of intentional beauty to an otherwise hidden space. These little pockets of fragrance bring the essence of cottage gardens into your daily routine, turning even the mundane task of choosing clothes into a moment of sensory pleasure.

For more bedroom organization with cottagecore charm, explore tiny bedroom ideas that maximize both function and aesthetic appeal.

14. Vintage Teapot Lamp

Upcycle a charming old teapot into a unique table lamp that serves as both light source and conversation starter.

Step by Step:

1. Find a decorative ceramic or porcelain teapot at a thrift store
2. Purchase a lamp kit from a hardware store
3. Carefully drill a hole in the bottom of the teapot for wiring
4. Thread the lamp kit wire through the hole and up through the spout
5. Assemble according to kit instructions
6. Add a linen or cotton lampshade in a complementary color
7. Use a vintage-style Edison bulb for extra charm

Picture this: As evening falls, you switch on your teapot lamp, and warm light spills from beneath a simple linen shade, casting a golden glow across your nightstand. The floral pattern on the porcelain teapot—perhaps blue willow or English roses—comes alive in the lamplight, creating dancing shadows on nearby walls. This whimsical piece bridges function and fantasy, as if you’ve stepped into a world where everyday objects hold magical potential and afternoon tea might include a talking rabbit or dormouse.

For a complete bedroom makeover that showcases your unique lamp, explore blue bedroom ideas that provide the perfect color palette.

15. Vintage Sheet Curtains

Transform thrifted bed linens into charming window coverings with nostalgic appeal.

Step by Step:

1. Hunt for vintage floral sheets at thrift stores or estate sales
2. Wash and iron thoroughly
3. Measure your windows and add allowance for hems
4. Cut sheets to size if needed
5. Fold and sew top and bottom hems
6. Create a rod pocket or attach clip rings
7. Hang with a simple wooden or brass curtain rod

Picture this: Morning light filters through curtains made from once-loved bed linens, casting the room in a soft glow tinged with the colors of faded flowers. The delicate patterns—perhaps small forget-me-nots or sprawling roses—dance on your walls as the fabric moves gently in the breeze. These curtains not only frame your view of the outside world but infuse your space with the comforting nostalgia of grandmothers’ houses and countryside bedrooms, where practical beauty flows from giving new purpose to cherished textiles.

To complete your window treatments, check out minimalist living room ideas that help showcase your vintage fabric curtains.

16. Foraged Wreath

Create a seasonal door or wall hanging using materials gathered during nature walks.

Step by Step:

1. Collect flexible branches (willow, grapevine, or honeysuckle work well)
2. Form a circle by gently bending and weaving branches together
3. Secure with floral wire as needed
4. Add seasonal elements: dried flowers in summer, pine cones in winter
5. Attach additions using thin wire or hot glue
6. Finish with a simple ribbon for hanging
7. Replace elements seasonally to keep your wreath fresh

Picture this: Your front door adorned with a wreath that tells the story of your local landscape—twisted vines forming the base, accented with whatever treasures the current season offers. In spring, delicate blossoms and tender green shoots; in summer, wildflowers and herbs; in autumn, colored leaves and berries; in winter, evergreen sprigs and pinecones dusted with artificial snow. This ever-changing decoration connects your home to the rhythms of nature outside, a circular calendar celebrating seasonal transitions and the beauty found in your own backyard.

Create a complete entryway that complements your natural wreath with outdoor entryway ideas that make a welcoming first impression.

I’ll continue with the rest of the DIY cottagecore decor ideas in my next sections!

17. Honey Jar Candles

Transform empty honey jars into rustic candles that bring warmth and sweetness to any room.

Step by Step:

1. Save glass honey jars, cleaning thoroughly but leaving a hint of honey residue
2. Purchase beeswax pellets and natural cotton wicks
3. Melt beeswax in a double boiler
4. Add a drop of honey for scent (optional)
5. Place wick in the center of jar, securing with a clothespin across the top
6. Pour melted wax into jar, leaving ½ inch at top
7. Allow to cool completely before trimming wick

Picture this: As daylight fades, you light your honey jar candles arranged on a vintage wooden tray. The warm, golden glow emanates through the glass, highlighting the embossed details of the jars. A subtle scent of honey and beeswax fills the air, reminiscent of sun-warmed beehives in flowering meadows. The flames flicker and dance, creating an atmosphere of comfort that transforms even the most ordinary evening into something special—a reminder of simpler pleasures and the natural sweetness that cottagecore embraces.

Enhance your entire living space with family room decor ideas that complement the warm glow of your handcrafted candles.

18. Dried Flower Shadow Boxes

Preserve summer’s beauty year-round with artistic displays of dried blooms.

Step by Step:

1. Collect and dry your favorite flowers and grasses
2. Purchase shallow shadow box frames
3. Cut cardstock or linen to fit the back of the frame
4. Arrange dried botanicals in a pleasing composition
5. Once satisfied, secure with tiny dots of craft glue
6. Close the shadow box carefully
7. Label with the flower names and collection date if desired

Picture this: A wall adorned with a collection of shadow boxes, each preserving a moment of natural beauty—delicate Queen Anne’s lace alongside bold sunflowers, feathery grasses dancing around purple thistles. The preserved colors, though slightly muted from their living brilliance, tell the story of summer adventures and careful collecting. These botanical time capsules keep the essence of warmer days alive through winter months, bringing the outdoors in and reminding you of nature’s ephemeral beauty made permanent through your thoughtful crafting.

For more ideas on natural wall decor, explore living room ceiling ideas that draw the eye upward and complement your botanical displays.

19. Embroidery Hoop Wall Art

Create a gallery of simple embroidered designs that add color and texture to your walls.

Step by Step:

1. Gather wooden embroidery hoops in various sizes
2. Cut natural linen or cotton fabric slightly larger than each hoop
3. Draw or transfer simple designs (bees, wildflowers, cottages)
4. Use basic embroidery stitches to bring designs to life
5. Once complete, trim excess fabric and secure in the hoop
6. Arrange on wall in a pleasing configuration
7. Add small dried flower bundles between hoops for extra charm

Picture this: Your hallway transformed into a gallery of handcrafted art—wooden hoops framing delicate stitchwork that captures the essence of cottagecore. A tiny thatched cottage nestled among embroidered flowers in one hoop, a family of mushrooms sprouting from moss in another, perhaps a buzzing bee visiting lavender in a third. The textured surface of the linen catches the light differently throughout the day, while the imperfect beauty of handmade stitches reminds visitors that in the cottagecore world, character comes from human touch rather than machine precision.

Complete your handcrafted gallery with home bedroom aesthetic ideas that continue the cottagecore theme throughout your personal spaces.

20. Twig Picture Frames

Create rustic, nature-inspired frames for your favorite photos or prints.

Step by Step:

1. Collect straight twigs of similar thickness
2. Cut to desired lengths using garden shears
3. Create a frame shape, overlapping corners
4. Secure with natural twine or hot glue
5. Attach cardboard backing with mounted photo
6. Add hanging twine to the top
7. Consider leaving bark on for extra rustic appeal

Picture this: Your family photos or botanical prints housed in frames that bring the forest indoors. Each twig, with its unique bends and natural coloration, creates a border that seems to have grown organically around your cherished images. Perhaps a family portrait is framed with silver birch twigs, while a landscape photo features darker walnut branches. These frames transform standard pictures into windows to both memories and nature, their handcrafted charm adding depth and character to any wall they adorn.

For more ideas to display your nature-inspired frames, check out rectangle living room ideas that maximize wall space for your cottage gallery.

21. Upcycled Crate Shelving

Transform wooden fruit crates into charming, rustic shelving units.

Step by Step:

1. Source wooden apple or wine crates from farmers markets or online
2. Sand lightly to remove splinters while preserving rustic character
3. Apply wood oil or beeswax finish if desired
4. Arrange in configurations that suit your space—stacked, wall-mounted, or free-standing
5. Secure to each other and/or the wall for safety
6. Display collections of pottery, plants, or books
7. Add small LED fairy lights for evening ambiance

Picture this: Your living room wall adorned with a honeycomb of wooden crates, each telling the story of its former life through stamped orchard names or vintners’ marks. Some crates hold collections of vintage teacups, others cradle potted herbs or displayed treasures found on nature walks. The warm wood tones bring organic structure to your space, while the open design keeps things airy and light. These shelves aren’t just storage—they’re a framework for displaying the small details that make your home uniquely yours, organized within a system that honors the agricultural roots of cottagecore aesthetic.

Find more ways to display your treasures with coffee table decor ideas that complement your rustic shelving.

22. Botanical Wax Sachets

Create beautifully scented wax tablets embedded with botanicals for drawer fresheners.

Step by Step:

1. Melt soy wax flakes in a double boiler
2. Add essential oils like lavender, rose, or lemon
3. Pour a thin layer into silicone molds
4. Press dried flowers, herbs, and citrus zest into the cooling wax
5. Add another thin layer of wax to seal botanicals
6. Once completely cool, pop out of molds
7. Punch a small hole and add twine for hanging

Picture this: Opening your linen closet to discover these translucent wax tablets hanging among stacked towels, their embedded lavender sprigs, rose petals, and lemon verbena leaves visible through the milky surface. Light catches the botanical elements, highlighting their delicate structures while the subtle fragrance perfumes your textiles. These practical yet beautiful creations blur the line between functional fresheners and decorative art, their handcrafted nature perfectly embodying the cottagecore ethos of finding beauty in everyday necessities.

Create the perfect bathroom to display these scented creations with minimalistic bathroom ideas that provide a clean backdrop for cottagecore accents.

23. Painted Terracotta Pots

Transform simple clay pots into personalized planters with cottagecore-inspired designs.

Step by Step:

1. Clean terracotta pots and allow to dry completely
2. Apply a base coat of white chalk paint if desired
3. Paint simple designs: wildflowers, bees, mushrooms, or cottages
4. Use a fine brush for details
5. Allow to dry completely
6. Apply a clear sealer for outdoor use
7. Plant with herbs, flowers, or succulents

Picture this: Your windowsill lined with a collection of hand-painted terracotta pots, each sporting a different cottagecore motif—perhaps a honeybee visiting bluebells, a thatched cottage nestled among wildflowers, or a family of spotted toadstools. The earthy orange of the clay peeks through in places, creating a warm background for your painted scenes. These aren’t just containers; they’re tiny canvases telling the story of your cottagecore dreams, brought to life by plants that grow and change with the seasons, merging art and nature in perfect harmony.

Expand your plant display with cozy balcony ideas that create outdoor space for your hand-painted container garden.

24. Hand-Dipped Beeswax Taper Candles

Create old-fashioned candles with natural materials for a truly authentic cottagecore touch.

Step by Step:

1. Purchase natural cotton wicking cord
2. Melt pure beeswax in a tall, narrow container (a cleaned tin can works well)
3. Cut wicking to desired length plus 2 inches
4. Dip wick into melted wax and hang to cool
5. Repeat dipping and cooling process, allowing each layer to set
6. Continue until candle reaches desired thickness
7. Trim bottom flat and wick to ½ inch

Picture this: Your dining table set for an evening meal, illuminated not by electric lights but by the gentle glow of candles you’ve made with your own hands. Their slightly irregular shape speaks to their artisanal origin, while their honey-gold color and subtle sweet scent bring warmth to the gathering. As they burn, they release the captured essence of summer meadows, their flames creating dancing shadows across the faces of loved ones. These candles transform an ordinary dinner into a timeless experience, connecting your modern life to centuries of simpler living when candle-making was a necessary household skill.

Create the perfect dining setting for your handmade candles with outdoor table decor ideas for magical alfresco meals.

I’ll continue with the final cottagecore DIY ideas to complete your collection!

25. Botanical Pressed Glass Frames

Create stunning transparent displays that showcase the delicate structure of leaves and flowers.

Step by Step:

1. Collect thin, interesting leaves, ferns, and pressed flowers
2. Purchase double-sided glass frames (floating frames)
3. Clean glass thoroughly
4. Arrange botanicals between glass panes
5. Close frame carefully, avoiding shifting your arrangement
6. Hang near windows where light can shine through
7. Change seasonally for an evolving display

Picture this: Sunlight streams through your window, transforming your botanical frames into luminous works of art. The skeletal structure of each leaf becomes visible—delicate veins branching through translucent tissue, the paper-thin petals of flowers revealing their hidden architecture. These suspended moments of natural perfection catch different qualities of light throughout the day, sometimes casting colored shadows on nearby surfaces. The transparent design creates a lightness that traditional framing can’t achieve, making these botanical specimens appear to float in mid-air, preserving nature’s ephemeral beauty in a state of permanent suspension.

Maximize natural light for these displays with scandinavian living room ideas that create bright, airy spaces to showcase your pressed glass creations.

26. Natural Dye Fabric Bunting

Create cheerful fabric banners using plant-based dyes for a quintessential cottagecore decoration.

Step by Step:

1. Cut triangles from unbleached cotton or linen fabric
2. Create natural dyes from kitchen scraps (onion skins for yellow, avocado pits for pink, etc.)
3. Simmer fabric in dye baths according to recipes
4. Allow to dry completely
5. Iron each triangle
6. Sew or glue triangles to bias tape or twine, leaving space between
7. Hang across windows, mantels, or outdoor spaces

Picture this: A gentle breeze animates your handmade bunting, sending the soft fabric triangles dancing against a backdrop of blue sky or whitewashed wall. Each pennant carries the subtle, nuanced colors that only natural dyes can create—the blush pink of avocado stones, the golden yellow of onion skins, the soft lavender of blackberries. Unlike the harsh synthetic colors of store-bought decorations, these gentle hues harmonize with your natural surroundings, telling the story of materials reclaimed and transformed through traditional craft techniques that connect your home to generations of practical creativity.

For more ideas to decorate your outdoor spaces, explore terrace design ideas that create the perfect backdrop for your natural-dyed bunting.

27. Antique Silverware Garden Markers

Repurpose vintage flatware into charming garden markers with handstamped plant names.

Step by Step:

1. Source inexpensive antique silverware from thrift stores
2. Flatten the handles using a hammer and hard surface
3. Purchase metal letter stamps from a craft store
4. Stamp plant names into the flattened handles
5. Bend the necks at a 90-degree angle
6. Polish if desired, or leave tarnished for vintage appeal
7. Insert into soil next to corresponding plants

Picture this: Sunlight glints off silver handles rising from your herb garden, each one telling visitors exactly what’s growing in each patch. The mismatched patterns—perhaps ornate Victorian on one, simple Art Deco on another—create a whimsical collection that adds unexpected elegance to your garden beds. Rain and sunshine gradually patina the metal, telling the story of seasons passed outdoors. These markers transform a simple vegetable patch into a curated garden experience, their previous life as dining implements adding layers of history and meaning to your homegrown efforts.

For more garden inspiration, check out backyard landscaping ideas that create the perfect setting for your silverware plant markers.

28. Preserved Moss Wall Art

Create living art that brings the forest floor to your walls with no maintenance required.

Step by Step:

1. Purchase preserved moss (sheet moss, reindeer moss, and mood moss work well)
2. Find a shallow wooden frame or shadowbox
3. Paint the frame in a natural color if desired
4. Cut a piece of foam board to fit the frame
5. Arrange different mosses and small dried elements like pinecones
6. Secure with hot glue or floral pins
7. Hang in areas away from direct sunlight and humidity

Picture this: A piece of the forest floor captured and displayed on your wall—velvet-soft moss in varying shades of green creating a topography of hills and valleys. The preserved plants maintain their woodland freshness without needing water or light, bringing the feeling of a forest walk into your daily environment. Unlike traditional artwork, this textured creation invites not just visual appreciation but also a tactile response—visitors can’t help but reach out to touch its soft surface, connecting with nature in an immediate, sensory way that paintings can’t provide.

Create a complete nature-inspired room with dark green bedroom ideas that perfectly complement your moss wall art.

29. Vintage Handkerchief Pillowcases

Transform beautiful old handkerchiefs into delicate, nostalgic pillowcases.

Step by Step:

1. Collect vintage handkerchiefs with lace edges or embroidery
2. Wash gently and iron flat
3. Arrange 4-6 handkerchiefs in a pleasing pattern
4. Sew together to create a square large enough for a pillow
5. Fold in half and sew sides, leaving one end open
6. Insert pillow form
7. Close with hidden stitches or decorative buttons

Picture this: Your bed adorned with pillows covered in a patchwork of vintage handkerchiefs—delicate lace edges, hand-embroidered flowers, and monogrammed corners from another era creating a textile collage of memory and craft. These aren’t just pillowcases; they’re collections of stories, perhaps carried in the pockets of brides or gentlemen from decades past. The soft, well-washed cotton carries a lightness that only comes from years of gentle use, while the varied patterns create visual interest that mass-produced bedding can never achieve.

Complete your dreamy bedroom with white fantasy bedroom ideas that create the perfect backdrop for your vintage handkerchief creations.

30. Homemade Potpourri

Create fragrant natural potpourri from garden clippings and kitchen spices.

Step by Step:

1. Collect and dry rose petals, lavender buds, citrus peels, and herbs
2. Add whole spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves
3. Mix in a few drops of essential oil to boost scent
4. Add fixatives like orris root or oakmoss to preserve fragrance
5. Store in closed containers for 2-3 weeks to cure
6. Display in vintage teacups, small bowls, or sachets
7. Refresh with a drop of essential oil when scent fades

Picture this: Visitors to your home greeted not by artificial air fresheners but by the subtle, complex fragrance of your handcrafted potpourri. A small ceramic bowl on your coffee table reveals a beautiful collage of botanical elements—deep red rose petals, purple lavender buds, orange citrus curls, and the sculptural forms of star anise—that please the eye as much as the nose. The scent changes subtly as you move through the room, revealing different notes like a fine perfume. This natural air freshener connects your indoor environment to the garden outside, bringing seasonal scents indoors long after flowers have faded.

Create more sensory experiences in your home with eastern living room decor ideas that complement the natural elements of your potpourri.

31. Repurposed Window Herb Drying Rack

Transform an old window frame into a functional and decorative herb drying rack.

Step by Step:

1. Find a vintage wooden window frame with intact glass panes
2. Clean thoroughly and sand if needed
3. Apply a clear sealer to preserve the aged patina
4. Attach cup hooks to the bottom of the frame
5. Hang frame horizontally from ceiling hooks or mount to wall
6. Tie small bundles of herbs with twine
7. Hang from hooks to dry naturally

Picture this: An old window frame suspended from your kitchen ceiling, transformed into both practical tool and visual centerpiece. Bundles of herbs—perhaps rosemary, thyme, and sage—hang upside down from the weathered wood, gradually drying in the warm air. Their gentle fragrance perfumes the space while their varied greens create a living color palette against the vintage frame. This functional art piece connects your cooking to traditional preservation methods, the herbs gradually transforming under your watchful eye from garden-fresh to pantry-ready, all while adding undeniable cottagecore charm to your daily environment.

For more kitchen organization with vintage appeal, explore country kitchen ideas that embrace practical beauty and traditional crafts.

And there you have it—31 gorgeous DIY cottagecore projects to transform your space into the cozy, nostalgic retreat of your dreams! Remember, cottagecore is all about embracing imperfection, celebrating handmade character, and connecting to simpler ways of living. Don’t worry if your creations aren’t Pinterest-perfect; those little quirks and inconsistencies are what give handcrafted items their soul and charm.

Which project will you try first? Whether you start with something simple like pressed flowers or dive into more involved crafts like candle-making, each item you create adds another layer of authentic cottagecore magic to your home. The best part? Many of these projects use materials you can forage, thrift, or repurpose, making them gentle on both your wallet and the planet.

Happy crafting, and may your home become the cottagecore haven you’ve always imagined—one handmade treasure at a time!