If you've ever dreamt of sprouting gossamer wings or felt more at home on a riverbank than inside, you’re in luck. People everywhere are bringing these fantasies to life with a tale-as-old-as-time aesthetic called Fairycore. Whether you’re looking for a fairy-inspired outfit upgrade or want your home to feel like an enchanted forest, this is the style for you.
Make your world a touch more magical, and learn about the main elements of Fairycore décor to create a storybook escape in your home. All it takes is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust—as well as our vendors and expert guidance, of course!
What is Fairycore?
Fairycore is a whimsical, soft aesthetic inspired by fairy and elf mythology. But it's more than donning a pair of pointy ears the Fae are known for. Everything, from wedding dress fashion to interior design, can embrace the dreamy elements of fairy style to create an otherworldly look.
What is the Difference Between Fairycore and Cottagecore?
Although the two styles celebrate a nature-focused vibe, Fairycore is inspired by mythology, and fairy-like Cottagecore is driven by pastoral fantasies. It's easy to get the two confused, but if you spot any winged designs or soft colors, it'll work best for a Fairycore bedroom.
Why Do People Love Fairycore?
In the hustle and bustle of our modern world, life can feel overwhelming. What's the solution? Romanticizing beloved fairytales and embracing a child-like wonder! The Fairycore aesthetic encourages imagination, beauty, and connection with nature, whether in a city skyrise or a suburban neighborhood.
Fae-inspired fashion and interior design also champion the idea of sustainability. Suddenly, people are sewing their old clothes to mimic the sheer, glittery dresses and upcycling vintage Algonquin furniture to fit their Fairycore bedrooms. Help the earth and your own unique style at the same time!
Fans of antiquing have fallen in love with fairy-inspired décor because there's no one correct way to do it. Every single piece in your collection has to be hand-curated, which means more visits to your favorite Indiana vendor mall!
The Origins of Fairycore
As the name suggests, Fairycore décor draws inspiration from the centuries-old myths and legends about the world of the Fae. From Hans Christian Anderson to the Brothers Grimm and many more, almost every culture has its own stories about these tiny, winged creatures. Whether they're the good guys or the villains depends on the tale, but most are depicted in wooded glens, sun-swept meadows, and magical castles—all of which are reflected in Fairycore aesthetics today.
Although there are examples of this aesthetic since the early 2000s, this captivating style has recently taken the world by storm. Book lovers, influencers, and movies alike have fallen for the Fae. With mystical powers, gorgeous gowns, and all things nature, Fairycore décor invites all of us to embrace the secret world of fairies in our day-to-day lives.
5 Main Elements of Fairycore
Whether you're interested in dressing like your inner fairy or looking to turn your guest room into a Fairycore bedroom, there are five main elements you need to understand to achieve this ethereal style:
1. More-is-More Maximalism
If you love a bare, minimalist style, the Fairycore aesthetic is not for you. To truly accomplish this Fae-inspired look, you must embrace maximalism. When decorating a room or accessorizing an outfit, adopt a "the-more-the-merrier" mindset and fill any and all spaces with curated, themed décor such as fairy lights, layered green rugs to mimic grass or DIY clay mushrooms.
2. Real Flowers, Vines, and Plants
When you see illustrations of fairies, they're typically flitting next to colorful flowers, spreading cheer amongst brightly patterned toadstools, or living in the hollows of trees—all of which act as the main inspiration for Fairycore décor. Celebrating nature is a core belief of many fairytales, so the same should ring true for your rooms and outfits. Incorporate fresh (or dried) flowers, potted plants, and floral patterns in everything you do.
3. Textures Found in Nature
In order to make your bedroom both feel and look like a dream, you should embrace textures found in nature to ground the style. Use authentic crystals and rocks as décor and invest in wicker or wooden furniture to turn your Fairycore room into a forest vibe.
4. Earth Tones and Pastels
The Fairycore aesthetic combines the warm earth tones of nature with soft, otherworldly hues to create a one-of-a-kind look. Mix multiple shades of browns and greens to mimic the outdoors and feature some pops of pastels, such as light pinks, baby blues, sunset oranges, and floral lilacs, to achieve this striking style.
5. Soft, Ambient Lighting
The key to turning your home into a Midsummer Night's Dream vision is in the lighting. Every light should be warm-toned, low to the ground, and soft in order to invite you in. Invest in vintage light fixtures, candles, and string lights that help cast a gentile and warm glow in your space.
Popular Fairycore Décor Motifs
As you shop at an antique mall location or consider upcycling your current collections, feature these popular motifs in your Fairycore décor:
Flowers
Butterflies
Wings
Bunnies
Mushrooms
Vines
Rivers
3 Ways to Embrace the Fairycore Aesthetic
Interested in bringing a touch of magic into your life? There are three main ways to embrace the Fairycore aesthetic—and you can do it all by shopping at a place like our Florida vendor mall:
1. Fairycore Fashion
Dainty, pretty, and oh-so-magical, the Fairycore aesthetic translates perfectly to the world of fashion. Whether dressing for the coldest days of winter or the hottest day of summer, you can show off your best fairy fashion all year long when you stick to a natural color scheme and feature-specific fabrics.
Fairycore fashion follows one simple rule: mix-and-match billowing, lightweight fabrics that give your outfit gentle movement with heavier, unexpected materials. Certain pairings are reminiscent of the classic storybook depictions of fairies, such as leather and lace or linen and crystals. These daring style combinations give you a whimsical, statement look for every occasion.
Experiment with the pieces you already own, whether layering maxi skirts or featuring retro ‘70s tops, and visit your local antique mall to find unique items to complete the look.
When dressing for your dream fantasy outfit, make sure to pile on the accessories. Crystal jewelry, oversized leather belts, shawls, and headbands are all pieces that add to your overall look.
Search for These Fairycore Aesthetic Staples:
Corsets
Billowing sleeves
Maxi skirts
Crochet cardigans
Floral patterns
Lace gloves, tights, and scarves
Crystal and stone jewelry
2. Fairycore Crafts and Hobbies
This airy style can influence more than your room décor or outfits—many people use the essence of Fairycore aesthetic in their hobbies! There's fun for all ages with fantasy-inspired hobbies, whether you're looking for a down-to-earth way to spend your weekends or ways to keep your kids entertained during the summer. Most of the materials can be found at thrift stores, antique malls, and vintage events, keeping up with the theme of reusing and upcycling items that already exist.
The key to Fairycore hobbies and crafts is appreciating nature and using pre-existing materials to make something beautiful. Going on a nature walk to find flowers to press, gardening seasonal plants throughout the years, or learning how to sew or embroider are all hobbies that encourage you to slow down and appreciate the beautiful world around you—much like a fairy!
Search for These Fairycore Hobby Materials:
Blank, handcrafted notebooks
Bags of old yarn and knitting equipment
Antique yardwork materials
Beads and charms for jewelry designs
Watercolor sets
Upcycling in Fairycore
Lovers of fairies can tell you that the number one rule is to leave as little waste behind as possible. Sustainability is key, whether building fairy houses in the woods using all-natural materials or creating a new skirt out of scrap fabric. Upcycling itself is one of the most common hobbies, whether you're revamping an old outfit with new embroidered designs or painting vintage furniture to give it a second life.
3. Fairycore Interior Design
Although mid-century modern and Art Nouveau have been popular interior design choices for years, watch out—Fairycore rooms are taking over! If you've fallen in love with the dreamy look of fantasy décor, you're in luck. Whether you're redoing one room or starting from scratch for an entire home, interior design is one of the most popular ways to show off the Fairycore aesthetic.
Inspiration for Decorating a Fairycore Room
Learn how to decorate with vintage and new pieces and follow the fairy-inspired décor elements to enhance any room in the house. If you're in need of a little inspiration, try using these five simple ways to decorate a Fairycore room:
Decorate the Bed
From the guest bedroom to your child's room, the bed is the main event, so make it as fairy-themed as possible. Rather than using a traditional bed frame, embrace the woodsy feel of a Fairycore aesthetic using wood pallets. This will keep your bed low to the ground, reminiscent of the woods where fairies are said to dwell.
When it comes to bedding, invest in light, fluffy materials such as linen or luxurious cotton to create a pillow-like effect, encouraging all who visit to sit. Complete the look with cozy pillows in your color scheme and a gauzy canopy hanging from the ceiling.
Focus on the Table
From your breakfast nook to your dining room table, no Fairycore room is complete without a set table. Look prepared to host a garden tea party at the drop of a hat with eclectic items set out 24/7. Search for vintage collectibles in Illinois and use table linens featuring lace and floral patterns, mismatched salt and pepper shaker collectibles, and unique drinkware and tea cups to create a fairytale vibe.
Plants in the Bathroom
Although the bathroom is a small space, we cannot leave it undecorated. Turn this high-traffic area of the house into a Fairycore room by filling every surface with plants. Set up verdant flora on every surface, from a potted plant on the sink countertop to hanging dried aromatics and vines in the shower. Complete the forest oasis effect with vibrant pottery and an antique watering can.
Antique Mirrors as Art
Fairycore rooms are not complete without elegant and mysterious mirrors. Every antique mall is filled with ornate silver, gold, and wood mirrors that are perfect to feature on any gallery wall of your home. Use just one to give the illusion of a bigger space, or make a wall completely out of antique mirrors for a maximalist castle vibe a fairy would adore.
Show Off Collections
Since Fairycore rooms are all about maximalism, now is your chance to show off your niche, curated collections. Whether you embrace the nostalgia of your childhood with Troll figurines on the mantle or find unique ways to hang vintage glass bottles in your windows, every collection is a unique way to show off your personal prized possessions in a timeless aesthetic. Antique China, candles, stacks of books, dried flowers from your beloved—anything can be shown off in a Fairycore room!
Where Can You Shop for Fairycore Décor?
The best part of decorating the Fae way is that every item can be hand-curated by you, for you. There's no one-stop shop where you can buy a matching set for your Fairycore room—but that's half the fun! Get ready for adventure and keep your eyes peeled because fairy-inspired pieces are all around you.
After you create your vision, you can stroll the aisles of a Chicago antique mall to sort through hundreds of curated collections all under one roof. From antique furniture to vintage clothing collections, you can buy almost everything you need second-hand. Swing by thrift stores, pull over for yard sales and attend antique mall events to search for the perfect décor and give new life to old pieces.
Whether you grew up spinning tales of fairies in your backyard or recently love the aesthetic of a certain set of fantasy books, one thing is for certain—anyone can embrace the elegant and whimsical Fairycore aesthetic. Dress with vintage fabrics and accessories, find tools for an inspired hobby or go full out by redesigning your home by searching an antique mall top to bottom for Fairycore pieces.