Photography: Brigid Arnott / Styling: Jodie Gibbons
Cottagecore has proven an enduring trend in recent years, filled with charm, cosiness and also comfort. Not only is it beautiful, but it seems to forgive all manner of sins as well. A little clutter looks at home, lest you have a sparklingly clean kitchen that’s at odds with the lived-in look. Now, the style is beginning to evolve into something a little more moody and enveloping. Finally, allow us to introduce you to dark cottagecore.
What is dark cottagecore?
The trend emerged specifically in the 2026 Pinterest Spring Trend Report. Of course, here in the Southern Hemisphere (as the HB offices are) we’re in the midst of autumn. But that’s the benefit of living in Australia. We can look to the Northern Hemisphere and catch on to trends before they fully unfold in our own country. Besides, there’s something about dark cottagecore that perfectly suits the cocooning feeling we yearn for in the cooler months.
“People want to feel good about their lives in 2026, not upend them” – Pinterest Spring Trend Report
As with the cottagecore we’ve grown to love, dark cottagecore is also full of whimsy, with vintage treasures and curated art. But dark cottagecore has a little edge on top of this.
Think witchy decor, with a nod to dark academia. Moody, ambient lighting is essential to softly illuminate colour drenched walls and dark timber joinery (embrace walnut and avoid oak). Benchtops are decorated with scatterings of worn, stained cookbooks and enough herbs and spices to make your cookzone look like an apothecary. Soften the space with a vintage rug, sweet cafe curtains or even a sink skirt.
How popular is dark cottagecore?
As Pinterest’s Trend Report states, the platform has seen a 915% increase in searches for ‘dark cottagecore kitchen’. This complements other searches, including ‘grandma core kitchen’ (up 545%) and ‘aubergine kitchen’ (up 495%). ‘Moody blue‘ is also enjoying a rise in popularity. The key takeaway? People want bold, expressive spaces that are filled with character as well as personality. As Pinterest explains, we’re seeing that “a cultural shift away from perfectionism and reinvention towards… self-expression, comfort and positive vibes” is the driving force.
According to the report, Pinterest has 600 million monthly active users. So the data is a wide reflection of trends on a global scale, illustrating the moodboards people are saving, which go on to shape our homes.
Shop the witchy and whimsical look
Queen Anne table in Mahogany
$568 (was $617), Temple & Webster.
‘Ancora’ fine bone china teapot in Black,
$98, T2.
‘Fairy Tale’ recipe journal in Hardback
$64, Papier.
Lunessa Lighting ‘Vienna’ leadlift Tiffany table lamp,
$269.95, Temple & Webster.
‘Bordeaux’ double candle holder
$129, Maison Balzac.
KitchenAid standmixer in Evergreen,
$899 (was $1199), David Jones.
Charcoal Home ‘Tissa’ kitchen island
$3499, Freedom.
‘Fernanda’ rug in Burgundy,
$329/75cm x 215cm, Ruggable.
