The aesthetic that I’m choosing to explore for this post is one that makes me personally feel at home. A key theme found in cabin core is one of comfort, with the intent of creating anything under a cabin core aesthetic being to make that thing as cozy and welcoming as possible. While this warm, cozy feeling is expressed in many realms, the main way this aesthetic is expressed being through home styling. Through the use of rustic motifs and natural materials such as the colorful bedspread pictured below (1), cabin core encourages a return to a simpler and more quiet life.

Cabin core, as an aesthetic, glamorizes the idea of escaping modern, urban society and returning to a sleepy home deep within the countryside. The cabin itself usually serves as a remote sanctuary surrounded by a deep forest or a snowy landscape to reinforce the idea of escapism while reconnecting with nature. Warmth is a key theme, usually found in cozy blankets and a warm fire heating up a wooden cabin, but soft lights and large windows can also be used to create superficial warmth, as seen in the cabin below (2).

Blog 3 — Lucas Brothers Construction

The aesthetic embraces natural motifs, such as using wood and natural features to deepen that connection with nature. Earth tones like green, grey, and brown all serve the same purpose and help make someone feel like the could be outside in a forest grove while still being indoors. Things like plants and animal furs can also be implemented to deepen the feeling that the modern world has melted away outside of that space. The thatched roof in combination with the vines growing on the home below (3), as well as the faded fence keeping the lush lawn away from an overflowing garden all come together to make that home seem so lived in and comfortable by making it appear to be another element of the natural landscape.

In the image below (4) depicting a tiny home, we can see the use of warm natural tones, wooden and cloth materials, warm fleece blankets and carpet, as well as a skylight to let in natural warm light. Every one of those elements comes together to create a space that is incredibly inviting, despite the small floor plan, by leaning into simplicity and feeling connected with earthly environment, reminding us of simple pleasures and naturalism.

This may contain: an inside view of a small camper with bunk beds

Despite living spaces being the most popular and intuitive way to express cabin core, people also like to embody the themes in the way they present themselves. Large, oversized clothing is used to promote warmth and comfort, which comes first and foremost. Sweaters, flannels, and wool materials also serve to keep somebody as warm as possible. Understated and natural colors are also important to serve as the reminder to stay rooted in the moment as well as to not get lost in the chaos of the modern world. Examples of some clothes that would fit into the cabin core aesthetic are below (5).

cabincore Outfit | ShopLook

(1) New York Times, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/07/15/realestate/20120715-OTMREGION.html

(2) Lucas Bros. Construction, 2024, https://lucasbrosconstruction.com/blog-1

(3) Gabriella Claire, 2022, https://www.instagram.com/gabriellaclaireee/

(4) Anonymous, 2020, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/860398703804383840/

(5) Arsonfrog, 2023, https://shoplook.io/outfit-preview/3580514

(6) Dr. Kellie Hadden, 2022, https://drkelliehadden.com/recommended-books

4 Comments. Leave new

  • This was a great intro into the Cabin Core aesthetic. I’ve always loved it but never knew there was an actually name to it and combinations of different tones, lighting, natural materials that made this aesthetic so warm and welcoming. Great pictures to go along with the description of the aesthetic. I’m just curious if there was a certain place this originated from or if certain countries just started building with natural materials and it became it’s own design?

    • Cabin core as an aesthetic has only really become recognized among online circles in the early 2020s at the same time as other aesthetics like cottage core, but its origins can definitely be tied back to rustic early American settling architecture with things like wooden cabins, lanterns, and warm fires in a stove or fireplace.

  • I really appreciate your choice of aesthetic; cabin core is something that deeply resonates with me as well! I agree with the fact that it can express a warm cozy feeling, and I think this is something that makes it so drawing for us. When looking at it from a beauty standpoint, what do you think it is that draws us to the cabin aesthetic? Is it possibly a feeling of sanctuary, or would you argue that the natural design is simply appealing to the eyes? Either way, I am a big fan of this. I particularly like the tiny home you used as an example–I am building one of my own and am very inspired by the idea of a cabin aesthetic!

    • I can’t speak as to what exactly makes cabin core appealing to everyone, but for me the aesthetic plays into feelings of safety and comfort by using a soft warm cabin with a big warm bed and warm wool clothes juxtaposed against a cold winter night. Those elements all come together to heighten feelings of security and sanctuary like you mentioned, while also providing me with relief. When I come home outside of the cold from a long day doing whatever, I want my home to be as comforting as possible to relieve me from all my stresses and burdens, and cabin core specifically maximizes that feeling of relief for me.

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