Cottagecore’s spunky younger sibling, “cluttercore” is the latest Pinterest trend promoting the idea that more is more. But how do you control the chaos? I asked Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox and Ashley Clark of Skout Interior Design to clarify.
“At its core, it’s a maximalist approach to design that embraces the idea that some people simply enjoy being surrounded by more stuff,” Scott says. “That said, in my opinion, you can’t take a ‘free-for-all, anything-goes’ approach to cluttercore—otherwise, it risks looking messy and chaotic. Thoughtfulness is still key; everything should have a purpose or place.”
Courtesy of Ashley Clark
Clark agrees, adding that your home isn’t a sterile, untouched space and should feel lived-in and authentic to you.
“Perfection is so boring, and I love to see a beautiful (and tidy!) mess,” she says. “Your home should be a reflection of you and tell your story—the way you live, with the things you like and collect.”
Below, Scott and Clark give their secrets to curating your clutter.
Courtesy of Ashley Clark
1. Take a mental inventory of your stuff.
Scott says your cluttercore design process should involve reviewing your existing home decor. “Ask yourself whether you actually need it, and whether it should be displayed or tucked away,” he says.
For anything in the “tucked away” category, Clark has two organizing solutions: “Wall hooks for bags, jackets, and hats keep things off the floor,” she says. “And baskets and bins are gonna change your life! A cute basket full of shoes by the door is much better than a big ol’ pile!”
2. Create healthy boundaries with clutter.
“Limit what you’re willing to have in excess,” Scott says, suggesting you prioritize what matters most to you. For instance, if you want to load up on books and art, pare down your collection of throw pillows or other trinkets.
3. Confine the clutter in specific areas.
Avoid over-cluttering by keeping your over-the-top possessions in specific spaces. “Personally, I love collected, layered rooms with an air of maximalism for my main living spaces,” Scott says. “But if I were to fully embrace a cluttercore aesthetic, I’d confine it to areas like a den, home office, kids’ playroom, media room, or powder bath—the perfect spots for a jewel box of treasures to add a little fun.”
Courtesy of Ashley Clark
4. Invest in on-display items.
There are practical reasons for showcasing certain pieces in your home. One example is frequently used appliances in your kitchen, like a coffee maker. “If you know it will always be on display, choose the most beautiful option within your budget,” he says.
5. Stack and cluster your collections.
One simple hack from Clark? Gather up similar items like books, breadboards, or games and stack them up. Or you could create what she calls “clusters,” with groupings like trophies or other collectors’ items. “Keep them together, rather than having them spread around the house!” she says.
