From cottagecore to coastal grandma: 5 interior design styles you might not have heard of

We've all heard of midcentury, Hamptons and bohemian interior design styles, but so many others have emerged over the past few years.

These interior looks cover everything from classy to quirky, and can even be a little bit dark and moody. But despite the growing popularity of these trending styles, it's likely there are many you've probably never heard of.

READ MORE: Coastal hues was voted Australia's favourite interiors style, here's how to get the look

To help you get acquainted with these looks and differentiate cottagecore from coastal grandma, here is a guide to the latest interior design styles you should know.

Coastal grandma

This is both an interior and fashion trend that references Diane Keaton's character in Something's Gotta Give as inspiration. It's also a look you'd likely associate with home and lifestyle queen Martha Stewart.

Coastal grandma has elements of the coastal look we've seen before, with natural timber and shades of white and blue. However it's more relaxed and incorporates cosy elements like florals and pastels, with a balance of vintage and modern pieces.

"I see coastal grandmother as 'less, but better'. I think of breezy white linen curtains, overstuffed sofas, warm fireplaces, honed marble kitchen counters, copper cookware, and handmade ceramics," designer Erin Gates told Lifestyle Asia.

Cottagecore

If you dream of gazing out of an English cottage window to a field of wildflowers then cottagecore might be for you.

This style has a country house, farm-life aesthetic with plenty of floral patterns, dried flowers, vintage furniture and cosy décor. Other features include wooden furniture, wallpaper, open shelves, pastels and warm tones.

"It's an aesthetic that is very inspired by a sense of nostalgia for a rural countryside life," cottagecore influence Jesca Her told Insider. "In a cottage — so that's where we get the term cottagecore — in the middle of the woods, or in a forest. Anything involving the outdoors and finding comfort in nature."

Cottagecore has a focus on slow living, comfort and simplicity, but it's more than an interior and fashion style. It's also a way of life, this means baking, gardening and sewing.

Royalcore

Want to live like royalty? Well with royalcore you can at least style your home like a palace.

This interior design trend has emerged out of the popularity of TV shows and movies about royals and nobility.

Bridgerton is the most recent influence on the style with floral wallpaper, gold accents, chandeliers and vintage furniture with ornate details like a fancy bedhead.

And if you really like the rooms featured in the steamy series you can get even more niche by following the regencycore style, which is more specific to the time period the show is set.

Royalcore is not specific to any era so the décor and furniture you choose can be a broader look fit for a king or queen.

Dark academia

This design style brings to mind images of Hogwarts or an archaeologist's office in an old museum.

It's moody and a little bit gothic, with dark colours, heavy wooden furniture and shelves packed with antiques and treasures reminiscent of a bygone era.

And it's the kind of style where the more is merrier.

"Maximalism is key for dark academia! It is an aesthetic that truly benefits from embellishment," Michael Rolland, managing director of The Paint Shed told The Spruce.

"[Think] large Persian-style rugs and heavy, extra-long velvet curtains [hung] above the top of the window to give the illusion of a higher ceiling. Leathers are also a key element of this trend: Chesterfield sofas and high-back chairs."

READ MORE: The top décor and interior trends to refresh your home for the cooler months

Cluttercore

This interior design style sounds like good news to anyone with piles of clutter around the house, but it's not that simple.

Cluttercore is about lots of colour, prints and patterns with lots of furniture and décor. But this 'more is more' trend is still curated in a stylish way.

The great thing about cluttercore is you can go hard on mismatching and throw out the rule book.

Cluttercore is believed to have grown in popularity after two hard years of living through a pandemic and other global troubles.

"People are taking this self-swaddling approach, particularly now. We want to feel safe, we want to feel comfortable, we want to feel protected and taken care of – stuff can act like a literal cocoon," Jennifer Howard, author of Clutter: An Untidy History, told BBC.com.

"There's a real sense of abundance that is appealing right now, given how constricted our lives have become.".