Moody, romantic and with a vintage touch, the poetcore trend is all the drama of Taylor Swift's Folklore and Evermore albums mixed with the comfort only your bedroom can provide. This evocative aesthetic is the perfect way to add some personality to your bedroom!
It's never going to be something that goes mainstream, but poetcore as an aesthetic is increasing in interest. Pinterest Predicts for 2026 found that search terms for poet core increased by 75% and those for the poet aesthetic increased by 175%. So, whilst it might not break the internet, if this sounds like your vibe, we've put together this article exploring what poetcore actually is and how to create the perfect poetcore bedroom of your dreams.
What is the poetcore trend?
You might assume that poetcore is all about poetry, and it is, to a degree. But it's more than just having a love of the lyricism from poetry. Poetcore, as an aesthetic, is all about the romance found in verses, the comfort books offer, the drama only a poet can give, the nostalgia of memories, and the tranquillity of quiet spaces.
It might all sound very whimsical, but that's the whole point of this interior trend: it's meant to turn your bedroom from a place you go to sleep into a haven of comfort where you feel at ease relaxing.
What's the difference between poetcore and dark academia aesthetics?
As the name suggests, dark academia also has its origins in literature, but unlike poetcore, it focuses more on the brooding, dark side of classic academia. Whereas poetcore evokes lines of beautiful poetry with a nostalgic twist, dark academia evokes gothic architecture, higher education, and a melancholic atmosphere.
They both share some things, such as a focus on vintage furniture and a darker colour palette. Still, dark academia leaves no room for pinks or greens and is more likely to feature anatomical décor than nature!
6 tips for designing a poetcore bedroom
1. Embrace muted colours
When decorating a bedroom with the poetcore aesthetic, the colours you choose are crucial to whether you pull it off. You'll want to make sure that your colours are all muted, with browns and beiges mimicking the colour of aged paper and leather journals. It's not all about the dark, though, as poetcore is also about the romance, so mix it up with some dusky pinks and sage greens.
Ideally, it'll want to feel like you're taking a step back in time to the ages of the great poets of Byron and Wilde, but with a modern twist, of course!
2. Add writing and book-themed décor
You can't have classic poetry without writing instruments, and they're the perfect way to decorate your room to evoke a poetcore aesthetic. Invest in a bookcase, ideally in a rich wood like mahogany, and fill it with books. They don't need to be old, but a leather-bound journal now and then will help to give it that nostalgic feel. What about curating a fountain pen collection, or going hunting for second-hand books with that traditional hardback look?
Remember, it's not cluttered; it's cosy!
3. Focus on comfort
A comfy space is one of the crucial aspects of poet core, and if there's one place in your home that excels at comfort, it's your bedroom! Choose tactile fabrics such as natural cotton, light linen and chunky knits that evoke warmth and feel as good as they look for your rugs or chairs, and layer up your bed. Of course, comfort isn't just about blankets when it comes to your bedroom, but it's also about your bed itself.
Make sure your mattress is just as comfy as everything else, so you'll get your best ideas after a good night's sleep! Opt for a pillow-top mattress, or invest in a mattress topper to help you sleep better and never want to leave your cosy bed!
4. Create a reading nook
What's more poetcore than creating a reading nook in your bedroom? These are spaces dedicated to reading, usually with a comfy chair to curl up in and a lamp to light your way. If there's room, we'd recommend creating your nook in a corner and adding a bookcase to keep the reading theme going. Add the comfiest cushions to your chair and make sure there's somewhere for you to keep your hot drink close by, and you'll have the reading nook of your dreams!
5. Choose the right bed frame
The bed is the focus of your bedroom; it's literally in the name! This is why choosing the right bed frame for a poetcore bedroom is perhaps the most essential part of decorating. The wrong type of bed frame can completely throw off the aesthetic. To keep the feeling of nostalgia and romance going, we recommend choosing a metal frame with a classic Victorian design. They're timeless for a reason, and are versatile if you decide to change them up in the future.
If metal isn't your style, then you can still get the perfect poet core bedroom with a wooden bed, instead. Choose dark woods to keep the romantic, dramatic feel, but try to avoid frames that are too modern in design.
6. Include beautiful plants
The poetcore aesthetic isn't just about journals, fountain pens, and poetry books; it's also about the beauty of nature and how it inspires creativity. This means it's pretty much a requirement to have some beautiful plants in your bedroom, and there are plenty that are the perfect way to add some drama to your room.
Our article on the best plants to help you sleep contains lots of fantastic plants with sleep benefits, but some dramatic plants that evoke the poetcore feel the best include rubber plants and philodendrons! These plants tend to have larger, dark leaves with some types even incorporating red flushes, giving them a touch of romance and drama. If real plants aren't your style, then add nature with pressed flowers or fake plants to get the same effect.
