A Beautiful Home Trend That Embraces Vintage Aesthetics Is Gaining Popularity

Home decor trends are cyclical. However, it's always surprising what comes back into style and how it's changed since it was last in fashion. While trends like cluttercore and even cottagecore are all having their moment (again), the growing fad of rufflecore has design lovers in a frenzy and rushing to their local thrift and antique or vintage stores to stock up. This aesthetic is all about romantic vibes and of course: ruffles. This trend is meant to embrace soft elements and whimsy. When decorating with this theme in mind, you want to find those pieces that really illustrate the style ruffles and airy, light fabrics can bring to a room. Rufflecore ties the best of vintage finds with a feminine mystique that is both chic and cozy. 

Rufflecore is about more than just actual ruffles. There's overlap with cottagecore and maximalist styles, especially in the pastel shades and full, all-encompassing silhouettes you can include. Of course, fabrics will come into play a lot when trying out this trend. Bed skirts, lush, full curtains, and soft materials reminiscent of Victorian decor will be part of your additions. Floral prints help to bring out the feminine aspects of the trend, but you also want to consider using clean, tidy lines and keystone neutrals (for large areas like walls and key furnishings) to create a nice balance so the busy textures don't go too far overboard.

So, how do you channel rufflecore without staying into grandma-chic (because there's a fine line between too many ruffles and just enough)? You don't want to go too deep down the rabbit hole. You can start by adding touches in pillows, quilts, and simple throws with just a little bit of frill. Get used to new pieces before adding more. Rufflecore is about channeling fun and whimsical energy, so don't be afraid to add more. Take a hint from fashion TikTokers, who get their rufflecore inspo from the playful prairie dresses of Gunne Sax, complete with lace, frills, and flowers.

You can hang floral wallpaper, or floral curtains, or incorporate a floral bedspread into your design. Balance flowers with plainer decor that features similar colors to your patterns but doesn't overwhelm it. If your wallpaper or hangings have blue florals, a light blue throw or bedding could pull the theme through. Pastels and crisp or soft neutrals play together in rufflecore well, so for this theme, avoid jewel tones or dark hues, instead focusing on brightening a room. This trend is ideal in smaller areas like bedrooms or bathrooms, though you can bring subtle hints of it to a living room, but in smaller doses so it doesn't lean too heavily into antiquated. You still want a modern vibe, but with a softer touch that adds instant coziness.

In terms of accessories, look for ruffled lampshades, vintage vases and buckets, and quilts with floral patterns to complement your design. The key here is mixing busy with minimalist, so that neither necessarily overshadows the other. If you're missing motivation and need another trend to blend with your rufflecore accents, you can bring in some ideas from French countryside decor, which also uses florals and crisp elements to create a good balance. Sprigs of lavender in thrifted watering cans painted matte white and distressed, lots of natural wood, and obviously a lot of soft additions combine for a satisfying blend of French Provençal and rufflecore.

If you like the idea of a bed skirt but you don't want that much fabric around a larger furniture piece, try add skirting around chairs or stools to get the element of ruffles without too much. This is especially useful in very small spaces or if you're trying to pull this theme through your whole home. Don't forget to find colors and patterns that will match different seasons if you want to adjust your palettes for summer, fall, winter, or spring. Because you can use florals and there's no set color scheme, this is a creative way to update your home and decorate without the need for a lot of new items!