Comfort-Core: Why Interiors Are Getting Warmer, Softer and More Secure

By Sophie Marlowe

After a quick scroll through social media, you’ve likely picked up on the new vibe that’s taken over lifestyles. From plump cushions and layered throws to lived-in spaces and soothing colours, comfort-core has been born out of necessity, not luxury. It’s a soft rebellion against the hard edges of modern life, and it’s carved out a space in the world of interior design, where it doesn’t look like it’ll be moving anytime soon.

What is Comfort-Core?

Borrowing elements from cottagecore, cluttercore, and slow decorating, comfort-core is about crafting a space that calms the nervous system. Instead of focusing on creating a space that looks beautiful, it has an emotional purpose to comfort. Comfort-core homes offer a safe retreat from the chaos of the world outside. It encourages interiors to become squishier, warmer, more tactile, and incredibly personal.

Why Has Comfort-Core Appeared Now?

Nesting has become a form of self-preservation, and for good reason. From economic volatility, and climate anxiety to political unrest, and cost-of-living pressures, it’s no wonder that people are craving spaces that feel like emotional armour against the chaos of the world, especially when the list continues.

Alongside the cost-of-living crisis, owning a home is slipping further out of reach for people, creating a shift from the idea of a “forever home” and instead leading people towards making the most of where they are now. Renters, flat-sharers, and first-time buyers are turning to interiors that feel grounded and emotionally reassuring, especially when everything else feels unstable.

Plus, with more people working from home or adopting hybrid schedules, the boundary between inside and outside has blurred. Homes have become multi-functional spaces, which has only increased the pressure to make home a genuinely nurturing space.

The Aesthetic of Emotional Support

Layered Textures: Comfort-core is all about how things feel, meaning soft materials dominate the space and are often mixed to create a tactile experience that soothes on contact. Think about how wool, boucle, velvet, and chunky knits make you feel.

Low-Light Living: For many, the use of overhead lighting has come to an end. Instead of the harsh light, people are favouring floor lamps, table lamps, and fairy lights to create a space that glows like a calming, candlelit evening.

Grounding Colours: Think of colours that create a sense of emotional rootedness alongside their style. These spaces tend to feature buttery neutrals, autumnal hues, and earth tones because they’re gentle and soothing.

Sentimental Décor: Comfort-core is about creating a home that tells a story. It champions the personal over the polished with family photos, childhood trinkets, and hand-thrown pottery.

Soft-Underfoot Flooring: Carpets are making a quiet comeback in bedrooms and snug spaces, while wooden floors are being warmed up with layered rugs. Even luxury vinyl tiles are getting cosier with natural-looking herringbone LVT floors becoming a go-to for a sense of cosy, lived-in vibes.

How to Embrace Comfort-Core at Home

Start with the Senses: What makes you feel relaxed and safe? Is it candlelight, a warm cup of tea, or your grandma’s old crocheted blanket? Whatever it is, bring those elements into your space.

Play with Layers: Add more texture to your space. Whether it’s a chunky knit blanket on a linen sofa or a high-pile rug over parquet, these simple additions can immediately shift the mood; creating a cosy, safe space.

Ditch Perfection: Ignore those picture-perfect Instagram posts because they don’t represent real living. A little clutter, a few mismatched throws, a well-worn armchair, etc. are all signs of a lived-in and loved home.

Personalise: Display items that hold memories and trigger a positive emotional reaction. Think about framed postcards, hand-written notes, or childhood art. Anything that makes you smile is worth it.

Is Comfort-Core Worth It?

In these uncertain times, comfort-core is definitely worthwhile. It goes beyond aesthetics and makes your home emotionally resilient. Unlike trends that quickly come and go chasing a certain look, comfort-core focuses on how a space feels and how it evolves with you.

And in a world of doomscrolling, burnout, and constant movement, building a home that offers comfort is a necessity.