Gear up for Halloween any witch way you like

Decor inspired by the outdoors has been trending for a while — it's been over a year since cottagecore and its Little House on the Prairie esthetic first filled our social media feeds.

And, in terms of interior design, nature has taken its course. Cottagecore, which evokes a nostalgic countryside with elements like eyelet lace and floral print, has given way to other back-to-earth trends.

Fairycore, for example, incorporates things like soft pastels, butterflies, mushrooms, springtime and a sense of magic. There's also goblincore, which celebrates parts of nature that are often deemed ugly, like frogs, mud, snails and moss.

“Nature has a profound impact on our overall well-being, both physically and emotionally,” designer Kristin Bartone of Bartone Interiors told CNN. “By infusing natural elements into our interior spaces, we stay connected even when we are indoors. Designing this way helps reduce stress and increases environmental stewardship.”

Now, just in time for Halloween, witchcore has taken hold. Like the name suggests, the trend draws on aspects of witchcraft, the occult and a general gothic mood — all with an emphasis on the natural world. On Tiktok, the #witchesoftiktok hashtag has 1.1 billion views, while #witchcore has 5.5 billion. Posts cover witchcore in all its forms, from fashion to spells to fortune-telling and more.

“I think that Brexit, Trump and COVID have all had their part to play in creating a climate where people feel able to tap into their less rational, more intuitive sides,” Jennifer Cownie, co-founder of the literary tarot cabaret and consultancy Litwitchure, told The Guardian. “If you want to wear a taxidermy owl on your shoulder to do the shopping then, truly, this is your moment.”

If all that sounds like your kind of thing, then have at the witchcore esthetic. There are a few ways that could manifest, depending on your style.

A “green witch” feel is more whimsical and colourful, with healing at the forefront. Here's where flowers and herbs (dried or not) come in, along with vintage botanical prints, crystals and glass bottles.

Goth-inspired witchcore could incorporate some of those elements but tends towards rich colours like dark reds, browns and black. You'll see stacks of books and candles throughout the space. Iron is the metal of choice, preferably in black, and velvet is a favourite fabric.