Take cottage core outdoors

Romanticising a rural life no matter where you live has become a defining trend.

The ‘cottage core’ aesthetic has captured the hearts of those craving a simpler lifestyle close to nature. It’s a look that brings with it a sense of calm – soft colour palettes, subtle patterns and sustainability reign supreme. Earthy, understated hues like Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Abanakee and Resene Woodland are key to getting the cottage-look. While this aesthetic has predominantly been embraced indoors, designers are beginning to take cottage core outdoors, transforming patios and garden sheds into rustic havens. The look is so charming and timeless, we can see why.

The allure of cottage core lies in its ability to transport us to a time and place where life was a little simpler. Think overflowing bookshelves, preserves lining kitchen shelves, plenty of plants and sunlight pouring in windows. As we spend more time in our gardens and outdoor areas in summer, the desire to make these spaces as beautiful and personal as our interiors grows. Taking the cottage core aesthetic into parts of the home we wouldn’t immediately think of (like a patio area) is a great way to embrace a slower pace of life without committing to a full home makeover.

Designing an outdoor area with a cottage core aesthetic rests on embracing the rustic charm inherent to the style. Picture weathered potting sheds complete with vintage tools, patios adorned with mismatched furniture and patterned floors and pots overflowing with flowers. These are the kind of spaces that evoke the cottage core spirit. One of the key elements of creating a cottage core outdoor space is the use of natural materials and finishes. Wooden furniture, stone pathways and terracotta pots can all contribute to the rustic feel of the style. Adding greenery is also essential – plants are at the heart of cottage core. Shelves with gardening tools and baskets with cascading flowers can add height and depth to your space, too.

In this cottage core-inspired patio potting station, we’ve transformed an old set of shelves. If you’re a plant lover, be it indoor or outdoor, this look is for you. We started by giving our dresser a fresh new look by painting it in Resene Double Truffle, a shade that works well in both modern and traditional settings. Its warm undertones add depth and richness to the piece, while the grey hue keeps things neutral and calming. Greys are often associated with a sense of serenity, and this is particularly true in outdoor spaces. We used Resene Quarter Truffle on the walls of our potting station to create a soft backdrop, something with a little more depth and character rather than a stark white. This shade of grey is understated, allowing the natural beauty of the plants, both potted and yet-to-be-potted, to take centre stage.

Adding subtle pops of subdued hues is key to the cottage core look. We painted our plant pots in both cool and warm shades from earthy terracotta to icy blues reminiscent of nature using Resene Woodland, Resene Tuscany, Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Inspire.

Whether you have a patio, indoor space, deck or garden path, the right flooring can set the tone for a cottage core-look. The floor of our potting station is perhaps the most quintessentially cottage core element. We stencilled a faux-tile pattern onto the floor using Resene Eighth Truffle and Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path in Resene Abanakee, a green-brown shade close to khaki. This simple DIY project adds elegance to the space while maintaining the rustic charm that is so central to the cottage core aesthetic.

To create a tiled floor effect like this:

• Start by cleaning and priming your surface.

• Then apply two coats of your main colour. We used Resene Eighth Truffle.

• Once dry, use a stencil to apply the pattern. We used Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path in Resene Abanakee.

• The result is a beautifully textured, non-slip surface that adds character and charm to your outdoor space.

To complete the look, we added a large pot painted in Resene Baltic Sea with a bird of paradise plant. The moody charcoal of Resene Baltic Sea contrasts beautifully with vibrant green leaves. We installed a shelf in Resene Woodland to maximise space, a rich and earthy green that complements the warm greys of the potting station.

For those who love gardening, a potting station is both incredibly practical and functional – you can tend to your plants, store your tools or organise your supplies. Beyond its practicality, a potting station can also be a beautiful space, although it’s certainly not a space that first comes to mind makeover-wise. Whether you plan to stencil on a faux-tile floor or simply add a few potted plants to your patio, the key is to embrace the rustic charm and nostalgic beauty that defines cottage core.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Annick Larkin, floor pattern painted by Hannah Tapner. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024