There and Back Again: The Charm of Hobbitcore Living

Blog posted On September 25, 2025

Are you ready to go on an adventure? In honor of National Hobbit Day on September 22^nd, we’re diving into the cozy home design styles of hobbitcore and cottagecore. We want to celebrate the themes of warmth, community, and contentment and explore the ways that you can incorporate those aesthetics into your home!

What is Hobbitcore?

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." – J.R.R. Tolkien

Inspired by the characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series, hobbitcore emulates many of the home décor trends found in cottagecore, a trend that celebrates the rustic beauty of country life. Some would call hobbitcore a variation, just with a few more medieval elements worked in with the rustic style. In a fast-paced world, it’s important to take a step back and embrace simpler things, like a hobbit enjoying a nice book on their porch or some afternoon tea and pastries while handwriting a letter.

How to Live Like a Hobbit

Hobbit homes are described as earth-sheltered dwellings, designed to meld seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Rounded doors, curved hallways, and natural materials are cornerstones of this style. Below are a few ideas to consider when fashioning your home to mimic Frodo and Bilbo’s homes in Bag End. When envisioning your space, it’s helpful to also think of the lifestyle you want to lead.

• Foster a Sense of Community
  • Take time to connect with your neighbors and friends
  • Share meals regularly and create an inviting space to host company within your home
  • Take advantage of your kitchen and bake bread and pastries to share with your loved ones
  • Tell stories while sitting by the fireplace
• Embrace a Slower Pace
  • Practice mindfulness in your home and minimize the distractions (i.e. turning off the TV, putting your phone away)
  • Start your morning with a calming ritual, like a cup of tea
  • Take time to read throughout the day in a comfy nook or cushion-filled window seat
• Live Close to Nature
  • To emulate a hobbit, find a home that’s close to the natural world (living near a forest preserve, wooded paths, rivers, etc)
  • Go for a walk in the woods to feel more connected to the world around you
  • Start cultivating a garden
  • Bring nature indoors and decorate with plants and flowers

Ways to Incorporate Hobbitcore/Cottagecore Into Your Home

“That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, ‘a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep, or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.’ Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

We’ve gathered some design tips that evoke the hobbitcore aesthetic in its purest form. What aesthetics will put you most at ease and provide a calming, cozy feeling throughout your house and landscape? Think of nostalgic touches, like dried herbs in the kitchen or a wicker foraging basket hanging on the porch. Try not to focus on negative spaces and clean lines like with minimalism. Hobbitcore and cottagecore actually embrace clutter as a sign of life. Things like a messy stack of books on a bedside table are more than welcome in this kind of home!

Incorporate Natural Materials

• Wood, stone, and clay
• Rustic, warm aesthetics
• Greenery and flowers

Curate Nooks & Crannies

• Cozy spaces for reading and tea
• Window seats with cushions
• Plushy chair by the fireplace

Whimsical Elements

• Vintage teapots and antique furniture
• Handcrafted art pieces and chandeliers
• Rounded windows and doorways

Are You Ready to Embark on a Simpler Lifestyle?

If you’re intrigued by the lifestyles presented here, we’d love to offer options that can help you on your homeownership adventure, whether you want to embrace hobbitcore or minimalism or somewhere in between! We offer renovation loans if you want to update your existing space into a Shire-inspired haven. We also offer USDA Loans and land loans, which provide home buying options for those looking to live in rural areas and move closer to nature. Your home is ahead — are you ready to decide what to do with the time that’s been given to you?

Source: It’s a Charming Life, Decorating Den Interiors, Extra Space