10 Cottagecore Kitchens With The Cozy Charm Of Grandma's House

Few things are as comforting as grandma's kitchen. It's the ultimate place of warmth, delicious smells, and old-school cooking hacks. There's a lot of cooking mastery happening on the stove and in the oven, but it's the special aesthetic that people are now trying to embrace in their own kitchens. Cottagecore is the term that describes the visual style of a farmhouse cottage, centering around connection with nature and a slower pace of life. For younger generations embracing it, the design pays homage to the nostalgic aesthetic our grandmothers used to embody, so it's often called grandmacore as well.

Cottagecore is the opposite of modern and minimalistic. It features a bright color palette, predominantly wooden elements (you won't find a marble countertop in a cottagecore kitchen), and a whole lot of plants; everything from fresh flowers to dried herbs. It's also full of little knick-knacks that modern kitchens stay clear of — small, often sentimental trinkets whose sole purpose is to contribute to the decor. While this design style extends well beyond the kitchen, many of us naturally associate that room of the house with our grandma. It's the place where she spent hours nourishing us with from-scratch recipes, like now-forgotten vintage pies. In honor of that nostalgic charm, here's a collection of 10 inspiring cottagecore kitchens that grandma would definitely approve of.

Cottagecore kitchens aren't super compatible with hyper-modern smart appliances, but if you can't find an authentically vintage example, check out brands that offer stylish retro appliances. That said, not every home is a good fit for an old-fashioned stove or refrigerator. In that case, focus on acquiring smaller retro gadgets to give the kitchen that old-timey vibe. We're talking analog scales, wooden manual coffee grinders, rotary egg beaters, and the like.

Wood is the central material in every cottagecore kitchen. Exposed beams, shiplap walls, and wooden countertops all give your space a country feel. To create a visually dynamic space, go for different types of wood. If you're planning to paint the wooden elements, forget about color–drenching; leave at least a few of them bare to channel a cabin-like feeling.

Colors are welcome in old-fashioned kitchens, but in a cottagecore style you have to balance them against the natural materials. Too much color spells urban decor, the opposite of the farmhouse style we're trying to embrace. Pick softer colors that allow wood to remain the focal point of the room. You can't go wrong with light shades of yellow, such as pastel, cream, or eggnog.

The countryside is all about nature, and that connection trickles into every farmhouse kitchen. That's why plants are one of the must-haves for your "grandma kitchen." Potted plants, dried herbs, and flowers from the garden; no cottagecore kitchen is complete without them. It's not just about aesthetics — the experience of cooking with (and around) real plants makes you appreciate the artistry of each meal a lot more.

Our grandmothers had the original kitchen island, thank you very much. It was the wooden work station where most food prep took place. This element gives your home a vintage feel, but it also provides a functional workspace. Baking is a peak grandmacore activity, so you'll be very happy to have extra surface area for all of those tasty puff pastry recipes.

Carpets are one of the most underrated elements that can instantly beautify a kitchen and give it a very specific homey character. Ornamental rugs, in particular, have a certain old-fashioned feeling that's perfect for a cottagecore space. Since this type of cozy aesthetic is usually clad in softer tones, a rug is an easy way to break the monotony and create a welcoming colorful contrast.

A preference for cooler tones doesn't mean your kitchen can't have a comforting cottagecore aesthetic. Pick lighter shades, such as cloud gray or clearwater blue, and pair them with wooden countertops and shelves. Old-fashioned kitchen tools are another element that shouldn't be missing from any cottagecore kitchen but will especially be valuable to bring warmth to a cooler-toned space. Think copper pots, iron skillets, and vintage dinnerware from the thrift store.

Part of the reason why cottagecore is such a popular aesthetic is the magical atmosphere it creates. It's like something out of a storybook — a kitchen that a fairytale character might reside in. Animal motifs can be a part of creating that atmosphere, so make sure you're including them in the decor. Woodland animals, such as rabbits, deer, foxes, and squirrels, are the best pick for a countryside-inspired kitchen.

The farmhouse lifestyle is defined by simplicity, so fancy decor is usually not a part of grannycore kitchens. That said, certain carefully chosen pieces can still work in this style. Light sconces are the most forgiving, as long as you don't go too modern. Golden light fixtures are a solid choice, as they can balance the overall modest vibe of the space with a slight sprinkle of lush.

Cottagecore kitchens are not only defined by what's inside of them but also what's directly outside. The view, ideally displaying a natural landscape, contributes to the atmosphere. That's why larger windows are the way to go. A tall French window or double-casement window, for example, lets plenty of natural light into the space while keeping up with the old-fashioned aesthetic.