In today’s fast-paced world, the rise and fall of rapid-fire microtrends, often referred to as “aesthetics” and marked by the suffix “-core,” are influencing today’s interiors, and we asked designers how they tap into trend-forward thinking while still creating timeless designs in the age of social media and trends like cottagecore or librarycore.

Cheryl Luckett of Dwell by Cheryl brought together a mix of rich textiles, warm wood tones, and Shade-Grown SW 6188 (215-C7) to create a library-inspired lounge. Photos by Laura Sumrak Photography.

While scrolling social media apps, terms like “cottagecore,” “grandparentcore,” and “cluttercore” are being applied to content that acts as a digital mood board for a particular aesthetic or “vibe.” And while the terminology might be relatively new, the styles themselves can all trace their lines across time periods and trend landscapes. 

Libby Palmieri of House of L Designs has witnessed the impact of these viral aesthetics on her own work. “These trends can subdivide into ‘micro-trends’ and definitely dictate some of the direction cues we then follow.” This can present a conundrum, in her estimation, since the concern with designing to specific trends is that the design could date itself more quickly. But, she says, if a trend has more of a lifestyle impact, she can provide assistance in how best to use a room for a satisfying and rewarding end result.

Amanda Sinistaj of Ellwood Interiors recognizes the power of these trends, however fleeting, to connect people. “Social media is a great avenue to showcase what people are creating and interested in. It’s exciting to try things that are new and to take what was originally a flash of inspiration from Pinterest or Instagram and tweak it so it becomes unique and more defined by our client’s style.”

These “aesthetics” go deeper than outward appearances, speaking about not only design, but also the feelings, attitudes, and pastimes shaping the spaces they describe. For interiors, this comes to life in small tweaks on classic styles, with intentional details that produce an overall effect that is unique from the original while still rooted in familiarity and nostalgia.

Social media users who resonate with certain niche core aesthetics are adopting them for their own spaces, contributing to highly personalized interpretations of interior design styles. With “librarycore,” we’re seeing what happens when the worlds of fashion, passions, and style collide.

Amanda Sinistaj of Ellwood Interiors used Naval SW 6244 (253-C6) and Elephant Ear SW 9168 (241-C4) for a homeowner who wanted something bold and eclectic. Photos by Beth Singer.

Librarycore or bookcore is one example of how these microtrends are capable of straddling industry lines, applying to both fashion looks and interior designs that incorporate a bookish look and hint of chic vintage academia in a modern way. 

“The runway is always the true preview for what will be next in the home arena,” says Libby Palmieri. “I find it fascinating to see the inspiration from fashion spill into personal space and interior design. Patterns and colors cycle through generationally and whatever has been banished as ‘never again’ always finds its way back into the favorable market of haute couture and home design.”

Warm, cozy and comforting, this multi-purpose space serves both as a library for the homeowner’s ever-expanding collection and a meeting space. Teakwood SW 9619 (Emerald^® Designer Edition^™ Warm + Welcoming palette). Design by Cheryl Luckett. Photos by Laura Sumrak Photography.

The librarycore aesthetic is a potent mix of stylish and charming, harkening back to the days of all-analog everything and anchoring spaces to the physical world while setting the scene for spaces that can be shared and showcased in the digital one.

“When I hear ‘librarycore,’” says Amanda Sinistaj, “I think of dark-stained wall-to-wall bookshelves, stacks of literature and a dark academia vibe. But it’s more nuanced than that. I believe as things become new we focus less on the past. In our digital era, there is something romantic and nostalgic about carving out time to surround yourself in quietude and escape into a good story.”

The Sisters and Company used Tricorn Black SW 6258 (251-C1) (bookshelves) and Natural Linen SW 9109 (205-C1) (walls) to create a restful reading retreat that doubles as space for overnight guests. Photos by Scott Johnson.

Libraries, in the home or as an institution, have become synonymous with a place of peaceful retreat. Librarycore exhibits a coziness that aligns with long-standing hygge trends, while built-in shelving loaded with books and thoughtful accessories also resonates with new maximalism, “cluttercore,” and dopamine decor, inspiring book lovers and collectors alike.

Libby Palmieri defines a home library as a gathering place for both collections and companionship, “where families can take time to regroup, pause, turn off the noise of the world and connect to themselves and to a safe space the author has created for the reader.”

She attributes the rising popularity of librarycore to a collective desire to “turn back and slow down.” While getting lost in literature has become more of a rarity, people have come to recognize the many benefits of books, and she believes this has inspired homeowners to “invest in spaces that allow for that to be a part of homes once again.”

In addition to the changing attitudes about how we spend our leisure time, living spaces often need to serve multiple purposes, whether it’s a combination guest room and home office or a closet turned into a reading nook.

Heidi Huddleston of Delicious Kitchens & Interiors is helping a client find space for their book collection within a new downsized home: “We want to showcase a curated collection with a combination of shelving areas, one that will do double duty as a bar area and the other, around the fireplace, that will serve as storage and display in an open-concept, all-purpose great room.”

While built-in bookshelves provide an opportunity to add color, dimension, and texture to a room, the storage and display needs of the space are also critical. Heidi Huddleston says that storage-centric projects are a big part of her business, and custom or specialized solutions must be considered. “Some clients want to decrease clutter and appreciate behind-the-doors accessories,” she says, “while others love the idea of open shelves or glass doors to allow them to display their collections. We do it all!” 

Needlepoint Navy SW 0032 infuses a sense of regality and cozy opulence and is the perfect backdrop for historical ephemera, relics, and antiques. Design by Heidi Huddleston. Photos by Kim Graham Photo.

Amanda Sinistaj depends on versatility and good design principles to bring projects like these to life. “If there is a specific collection of items, we try to create a versatile design so that shelving can be adjusted to accommodate such treasures. We rely heavily on testing our concepts. We’re in the business of creating spaces that speak to the individual who inhabits them.”

Whether a TikTok aesthetic turns out to be a passing trend or a prelude to more permanent lifestyle changes, these microtrends offer important insight into the looks of the moment. Stay connected with Sherwin-Williams for Design Pros on Facebook and Instagram for more design and color inspiration.

Top image: Needlepoint Navy SW 0032. Design by Heidi Huddleston. Photo by Kim Graham Photo.