There’s a reason cottagecore has captured the imaginations of many in recent years. This lifestyle and design trend celebrates the charm of rural living, the romance of simpler times and the beauty of nature brought indoors. Think of an old stone cottage tucked into the British countryside, furnished with timeworn wooden tables, cosy upholstered chairs and shelves brimming with books, pottery and curiosities. Cottagecore is about creating a home that feels warm, nostalgic and lived-in – where imperfections add character rather than detract from it.
And where better to find authentic pieces for this look than the auction house? Unlike high-street shops selling factory-made reproductions, at Potteries Auctions we offer real furniture with history and soul, and often at surprisingly affordable prices. Not to mention it’s a more sustainable option too – better for the planet and for your bank account.
What is Cottagecore?
At its heart, cottagecore is an aesthetic rooted in rural traditions. It romanticises slower living: baking bread, growing wildflowers and surrounding yourself with objects that feel natural and enduring. In interiors, this translates into:
- Natural materials – solid woods, stone, iron, wicker and linen.
- Handcrafted details – dovetail joints, turned legs and hand-carved flourishes.
- Soft, homely atmosphere – muted colour palettes (think creams, greens, dusky pinks and gentle blues) and an embrace of wear, patina and imperfection.
- Timeless charm – furniture that looks as though it’s been in the family for generations.
Characteristics of Cottagecore Furniture
When buying cottagecore furniture at auction, keep an eye out for these hallmarks:
- Well-worn woods – Oak, pine and elm are staples. Look for scrubbed pine kitchen tables with stains and marks that tell their story – or an oak settle that has softened over decades of use.
- Functional but beautiful storage – Welsh dressers, corner cabinets and glazed cupboards are perfect for showcasing crockery and treasures. A bit of uneven paintwork or gently warped shelves only add to the charm.
- Cosy seating – Wingback chairs, upholstered armchairs and even rocking chairs fit wonderfully. Seek out soft fabrics in florals, checks or stripes – or re-cover older frames in linen or wool for a modern-rustic update.
- Rustic utility pieces – Butcher’s blocks, milking stools, blanket chests and farmhouse benches bring a practical, grounded feel.
- Decorative flourishes – Oval mirrors with foxed glass, iron and brass bed frames or an old writing desk with pigeonholes can all enrich a cottagecore room.
Top Tips for Furnishing Your Cottagecore Home at Auction
- Attend viewing days – If you’re interested in a piece and you’re able to, inspect the furniture in person at a viewing day to check the scale, sturdiness and condition.
- Embrace imperfection – Cottagecore thrives on patina, so don’t be put off by scratches, faded paint or uneven finishes.
- Set a budget – It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of bidding, so know your limits before the hammer falls.
- Think creatively – A battered chest of drawers could become a bathroom vanity, or an old bench might serve as a coffee table.
- Mix and match – Cottagecore is eclectic and isn’t defined by one particular era of design. Pair a Victorian armchair with a rustic 19th-century pine table and a stack of handmade quilts.
Once you’ve secured your pieces, styling is all about layering textures and creating a sense of comfort. Drape a wool blanket over a chair, arrange dried flowers in a jug on the windowsill, and let the natural patina of wood take centre stage. Cottagecore isn’t about perfection – it’s about making a space feel lived-in, loved, and connected to the rhythms of the countryside.
Whether you’re furnishing a rural retreat or bringing a slice of the countryside into a city flat, Potteries Auctions is the perfect place to start your cottagecore journey. Check out some of the brilliant cottagecore-style pieces that have passed through our salerooms this year for inspiration, plus some that are coming up for sale this September!
Upcoming in our September 5th Cobridge auction, this beautiful Pine Welsh Dresser is estimated to sell for between £25-£50.
This pine farmhouse stick back carver chair is full of charm and character. Also upcoming in our September Cobridge auction, it’s a potential steal with an estimate of just £15-£30!
This gorgeous Wade lamp base in a ‘Country House Classic’ style is set to sell for £20-£40 at our upcoming September Cobridge auction.
This Limed Oak Dresser sold for just £10 at our Cobridge Saleroom last month. Perfect for displaying plates and other pottery!
The natural textures and warm tones of rattan furniture cosy up any space. This 19th-century rattan rocking chair, possibly Howard & Sons, is a great example of that. It sold for £40 at our July Silverdale auction.
This square rush stool has an equally rustic charm to it, and it sold for just £5!
The coloured floral glass on this pair of reproduction Tiffany-style lamps creates a warm atmosphere that would make them a great fit for a cottagecore-style home. They sold together for just £50 at our May Cobridge auction.
Combine something like these pine farmhouse-style kitchen dining chairs together with this pine farmhouse-type kitchen table for an adorable dining room set up. If you bought both lots together, they would’ve only put you back by £30!
A pricier piece but worth every penny, this amazing 18th/19th-century Welsh Dresser with two upper plate racks sold for £540 earlier this year. A real statement piece!
This matching set of a Shelley Late Foley wash jug and basin would look right at home in a display cabinet or repurposed as tableware – they’d make a great vase and fruit bowl! The lot sold for just £18 earlier this spring.
This Younger’s illuminating corner display cabinet found a new owner for just £25 at our April 2025 auction. Can’t you just imagine it full of dinnerware and cute trinkets?
Nothing says cosy quite like a roaring fire! Even if you don’t have a fully functional fireplace, this wrought iron fire guard still feeds into the cosy cottagecore vibe – and it sold for only £10.
How to Buy Furniture at Auction
At Potteries Auctions, we hold regular auctions across our two saleroom sites – Silverdale and Cobridge – every month. We also hold specialist Fine Art auctions that normally take place across several days, with the next one being in November. Watch this space for updates!
Check out our upcoming auctions and scroll through the online catalogues we have available to see if something catches your eye, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all the best upcoming lots.
If you have any questions, or are looking for something specific, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team who are more than happy to help. Email us on enquiries@potteriesauctions.com, or call us on +44 (0)1782 638100 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.