Scotlandcore Is the Moody Fall Decor Trend You Need in Your Home

Picture yourself walking among the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, strolling in and out of cafés and bookstores while there's a light drizzle of rain outside. Or maybe you're exploring a 1,000-year-old castle in the lush Scottish Highlands, with grazing sheep just beyond the hill. You can incorporate this same moody atmosphere into your home this fall with Scotland-inspired decorating trend.

What Is Scotlandcore?

Scotlandcore lies somewhere between modern Victorian, cottagecore, and dark academia decorating styles. It's moody, dramatic, rustic, and most of all—cozy. There's a little bit of clutter and a lot of antiques, heirlooms, and other found treasures. And don't forget the apothecary bottles placed among accessories on tables and shelves. Scotlandcore differs from similar styles with its use of deep and earthy colors like gold, green, and blue—all akin to the natural landscape of Scotland.

With travel back in full swing, everyone's fantasizing about what their next destination might be. Social media feeds are full of dreamy Scotland content, even with the country's frequent gray skies. Lovers of series like Outlander and Harry Potter can find a real-life version of their favorite imaginative worlds with this decorating style—and it's especially homey for fall.

5 Ways to Achieve Scotlandcore in Your Home

While this decorating style features many semi-permanent updates like rich paint colors, patterned wallpaper, worn leather, and rustic wood furniture, there are plenty of temporary ways to decorate with Scotlandcore accessories just for the season. Whether you decorate your entire home with this style or just create a small nook to escape to with a book and a cup of tea, these five decorating tips are sure to give you a cozy fall.

1. Vintage Frames and Artwork

When deciding what to hang on your bare walls, reach for an ornate, gold frame encasing a dramatic still life or landscape painting. Style it within a gallery wall with more frames, or place it on an entryway table with books and a few mini pumpkins to keep it seasonal.

2. Curated Clutter

Scotlandcore emphasizes collected everyday items scattered throughout a home but styled in an aesthetically pleasing way. For fall, intentionally place items such as apothecary-like bottles, candles, woven baskets, worn books, and dried flowers on shelving, end tables, or mantels. The goal of this seasonal decor trend is to showcase items that are practical and not too literal.

3. Natural Elements

Natural decor elements like stone, wood, and leather are all staples of Scotlandcore. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, stack cut firewood next to it (even if it's electric or gas). Place dried plants or flowers that would naturally occur in the fall in vases throughout the room, or hang them upside down with some twine. If you don't have a green thumb for houseplants, faux ones work just as well.

4. Antlers

The use of antlers on a mantel or bookshelf or mounted on a wall is reminiscent of an Old World hunter's tavern. No worries if you don't have authentic ones to work with; there are always faux options available in home stores or online.

5. Plaid

While the type of plaid made and traditionally used in Scotland is called tartan, any plaid will work for seasonal decorating. If your existing furniture doesn't feature the pattern, use plaid throw pillows or blankets on sofas and chairs to make them extra comfy and inviting. Plaid can also be integrated into a kitchen with dish towels, placemats, rugs, and curtains. Feel free to mix the scale of the pattern, but keep the colors earth-tone to stay on theme.