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Imagine walking into your home and being instantly transported to a mystical woodland hideaway. That’s the magic of Forestcore – the latest interior design movement that’s captured over 314 million hearts on TikTok, offering an enchanting alternative to sterile minimalism.
Beyond just another design trend, Forestcore speaks to our deep longing to reconnect with nature, especially in our increasingly digital world. It’s about creating spaces that feel both magical and grounded, where every corner tells a story of natural wonder.
What Is Forestcore?
“Forestcore is about creating a feeling of being outside and in nature through interiors,” explains Leanne O’Malley, lead designer at Studio.
Think morning coffee in a sunlit nook surrounded by trailing vines, or evening relaxation in a room that feels like a secluded cabin in the woods.
The style embraces dark, moody, and earthy elements to create a cosy and mystical atmosphere, even if you live in the middle of a bustling city.
Unlike its cousin Cottagecore, which leans into pastoral romance and sunny meadows, Forestcore draws inspiration from deeper in the woods – where tranquillity and wilderness meet.
The Origins of Forestcore
In a world dominated by sleek minimalism and digital overload, Forestcore emerged as a natural rebellion. This design movement speaks to our deepest need to reconnect with nature, especially as urban living becomes increasingly removed from the natural world.
While the aesthetic has gained massive popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, its roots run deeper than viral trends. Forestcore draws inspiration from ancient traditions of bringing natural elements indoors, combined with our modern longing for authentic, grounded spaces.
@treehousebus a stormy evening in our bus home 🖤🌲🌧️🌿 #buslife #vanlife #oregon #pnwvibes #forestcore #darkaesthetic #cozyvibes ♬
The movement gained significant momentum during the global shift toward home-centred living in recent years.
As people spent more time within their four walls, many sought to create spaces that offered both escape and comfort. Forestcore answered this call by transforming ordinary rooms into extraordinary natural sanctuaries.
Today, Forestcore represents more than just a design choice – it’s a lifestyle statement that prioritizes connection with nature, mindful living, and the creation of personal sanctuaries in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Cottagecore vs Forestcore: Sisters, Not Twins
While both styles celebrate nature, they each tell a different story.
Cottagecore
Cottagecore revels in the romantic countryside with its floral patterns, vintage touches, and sun-dappled charm.
It’s a celebration of garden picnics and freshly baked bread, where gingham prints meet delicate lace and pastoral life is viewed through a rose-tinted lens.
This aesthetic cherishes the gentle side of rural living – think wildflower bouquets in antique vases, hand-embroidered linens, and the soft warmth of afternoon light streaming through lace curtains.
It’s a style that embraces the quaint and cosy elements of country life, where every detail feels like it could have been plucked from a beloved grandmother’s cottage.
RELATED: Cottagecore Decor: What It Is & 12 Pieces You’ll Love
Forestcore
Forestcore, however, ventures further into the wilderness, embracing the raw beauty of woodland spaces with rich earth tones, organic textures, and a touch of mystique.
It draws from the deeper elements of nature – think weathered bark, smooth river stones, and the interplay of light filtering through a dense canopy.
This aesthetic celebrates the untamed aspects of the natural world, where rough-hewn wood meets soft moss, and deep emerald greens blend with mushroom browns and midnight blues.
Key Elements of Forestcore
To achieve the Forestcore look, you’ll want to incorporate several key elements into your home decor. Here are some of the essential components of Forestcore:
1. Colour Palette
Deep emerald greens, rich browns, and touches of midnight blue form the foundation of Forestcore. These colours create depth and intrigue, mimicking the layers of a forest canopy. Consider starting with a deep green feature wall and building from there.
2. Natural Materials
Reclaimed wood, natural stone, and raw textiles bring the forest’s texture home. Look for pieces that tell a story – a weathered wooden bench, a hand-woven basket, or a collection of smooth river stones.
3. Living Elements
Bring the forest floor inside with potted ferns, moss gardens, and trailing vines. Don’t worry if you’re new to plant care – start with hardy options like pothos or ZZ plants that thrive in various conditions.
RELATED: 15 Indoor Plants That Thrive In Low-Light Conditions
4. Ambient Lighting
Create the dappled light effect of a forest canopy with warm LED fairy lights. Fairy lights are essential for creating that magical forest ambience. Weave them through branches, drape them along shelves, or collect them in vintage glass jars to create gentle pools of light. Mix with warm-toned table lamps, botanical-inspired sconces, and flickering candles in earthy scents like pine, cedar, or moss to complete the enchanted atmosphere.
RELATED: 10 Small Bedroom Lighting Ideas To Transform Your Space
5. Cosy Textiles & Soft Furnishings
Transform your space into a snug forest retreat with layers of tactile comfort. Think chunky knit throws in moss greens and earth tones, velvet cushions that catch the light, and natural fibre rugs that feel like forest moss underfoot. Linen curtains in deep forest hues help frame your woodland vista while adding an extra layer of cosiness.
6. Vintage and Antique Treasures
Add character and history to your forest sanctuary with carefully chosen vintage pieces. An antique brass lamp, weathered leather armchair, or time-worn wooden chest can anchor your space with authenticity.
7. Whimsical Details
Consider incorporating subtle touches like brass mushroom sculptures nestled among your plants, or a vintage botanical illustration featuring woodland flowers. Artisanal ceramics with leaf imprints, small bronze woodland creatures, or glass terrariums filled with moss and tiny fairy gardens can create delightful discovery moments throughout your space.
8. Personal Touches
Your forest haven should tell your story. Display treasured nature finds, artwork or personal photographs of favourite woodland spots, or incorporate handcrafted elements that mean something to you.
Our Forestcore Favourites…
Soho Lola Step-Silhouette Marble Book-Ends from Selfridges, £195
Danaway Side Table from Style Our Home, £121
Objet décoratif, Makero from La Redoute, £30.80
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