There’s a reason why visiting a neighborhood cafe is such a staple of weekend mornings—and it has nothing to do with your drink order. These spaces are often calm and inviting, with ample seating to sink into and overhead music that’s familiar but not too loud. Fellow visitors are comfortable enough to stay a while, and the lighting enhances the sunlight streaming in from outside. Most of us wish we could drop into our preferred spot on a random Wednesday, but busy schedules often get in the way. So it’s no wonder that the “café core” trend, which is taking over social media, is all about capturing this feeling at home.
“Café core borrows decor details from hospitality settings to evoke the sense of conviviality felt while dining out,” says interior designer and content creator Anne Sage. “There's been so much in the news lately about how we're losing our third spaces—those out-of-the-house places where we gather, socialize and cultivate a sense of belonging—and café core reflects our desire for those positive feelings.”
Aside from creating a gathering hub for loved ones, the café core trend also taps into the more personal push to slow down. Rachel Robinson, architect and founding partner of Dunham Robinson, summarizes the aesthetic like this: “You know that perfectly designed café that makes you want to spend a quiet moment in contemplation or linger longer with a book? That’s the ‘café core’ trend,” she says. If you’re looking to make a corner of your home just as comfortable, here’s how three interior designers would embrace the café core trend.
What is the café core trend?
When you think about your favorite corner cafe, a few essentials likely come to mind: soft seating, a cozy color palette and perhaps a handful of curated necessities like mugs from a local ceramicist or art from a nearby studio. The café core trend brings these details into your dining area, so you can sip your order more comfortably—like, say, in your pajamas.
“I honestly think this trend has been around for a while and we're just giving it a new name,” says Sage. “The café core trend is a cozy breakfast nook, or a dedicated coffee station, which are things that have been around for ages and they always bring joy. This current trend is a play on the contentment of being out in socially-driven spaces, and should serve as a reminder to be social. Invite friends over for a cup of coffee!”
And just as there are countless ways to run a corner cafe, Robinson says this trend is equally open to interpretation. “The café look is perennial and enduring because it’s all about sitting for a quiet moment by yourself, spending time with someone you love, or simply stopping to actually enjoy a cup of tea or coffee,” she says. “You can capture the café feeling without having a dedicated, full room in which to implement it. Sometimes a corner by a window with one chair and a small bistro-size table can be just as impactful.”
How to try the café core trend
Bring in a round table.
Soften the hard edges of a corner, and make it easier to fit more people or activities, by adding a round table—preferably wood or marble. “Round is so much more welcoming, and more commonly seen in a cafe setting,” Sage says. “It's especially great if you have a small space, since a little bistro table tucked into a corner feels so romantic.”
Install banquette seating.
While a bistro chair or two is on trend, installing banquette seating on the opposing side of these seats will take the look to the next level. “We've all experienced that epic night out, gathered into a corner banquette with friends,” interior designer Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors says of cafes that stay open late. “When you think about how to add the coziness of a cafe into your own space, the way to make the most impact is by creating a sweet nook to tuck a table.”
Hang cafe curtains.
As a sweet finishing touch, Robinson recommends adding namesake window treatments to give the space a relaxed feel. “Partial-height cafe curtains would be on theme, rather than full-height drapes or blinds,” she says. “Consider pinch-pleats for a more tailored look, or a rod-pocket for a more casual feeling, and always scale down the size of the hardware for that soft, ethereal cafe look.”
Create a coffee station.
Carve out a place on your countertop that’s just for this corner cafe, regardless of how sophisticated your order might be. “There are so many beautiful espresso machines on the market now that it's like having a live-in barista,” Sage says. “But even if you just use your trusty French Press, make it part of a decor moment with special spoons, coffee beans in a beautiful canister, and a stack of french glassware. Whatever makes your heart sing.”
Decorate with whimsy.
A neighborhood café often uses decor to distinguish itself, and your home version should be no different. “Maybe it's mounting a couple small shelves in your dining nook and displaying your fun mug collection there, or perhaps it's keeping your breakfast pastries under a glass cloche on the counter,” Sage says.
Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor and marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure and other publications.
