Mushroomcore – what is it and do we like it?
We like to keep up with home interiors trends here at JP & Brimelow, probably due in great part to visiting so many homes every month as part of our work. There are some interior trends that come along, have their moment in the sun and then disappear again, and some that go beyond ‘trend’ and step firmly into ‘timeless.’ Those that come and go seem to be labelled in a way that makes a handy hashtag, for the ever prevalent social media, giving us #barbiecore (shades of shocking pink), #cottagecore (great grandma’s clutter-filled, chintzy living room) and #goblincore (don’t ask).
Now, we have #mushroomcore – but this is one we can actually get behind.
What is mushroomcore?
Mushrooms are definitely experiencing a full 15 minutes of fame at the moment, from Jeremy Clarkson’s Lions Mane bunker on his Amazon show, Diddley Squat Farm, to mushroom coffee (yes , it’s a thing – proper coffee with extracts of beneficial mushroom mixed in to help enhance focus, increase energy and help manage stress) and now – home interior design.
Mushroomcore isn’t a trend based solely around the earthy tones of mushrooms, however, it’s more all-encompassing than that. As well as soft and soothing shades, it’s about shapes, textures, imagery and creating a slightly whimsical, yet comfortable, atmosphere in your home.
Why do we like mushroomcore?
It’s gentle, it’s soothing and it’s an easy one to appreciate – and you can take it as far as you wish, or simply tap into the ethos of soft shades and natural shapes.
Fabulous fungi: your inspiration
Mushrooms of all types, from button to oyster, are of course at the heart of this aesthetic, and in a truly dedicated mushroomcore room scheme will appear as visuals in art, ornaments and even fabric or wallpaper prints.
Taking inspiration from nature isn’t a new concept, of course, and just a few moments searching mushrooms shows the almost infinite and fascinating variety to be found on this earth – so celebrating these in art isn’t really surprising. You don’t have to go all the way, of course. As with any trend, you can dive in fully clothed, or simply make a respectful nod – wallcoverings or wall art, it’s up to you.
Earthy and natural tones
The mushroomcore colour palette is, unsurprisingly, drawn from the natural world – shades and tones of taupe, coffee, chocolate, cream, russet, chestnut and muted reds – building a collection of warm, inviting tones encouraging visitors to stay awhile, and providing a place of daily calm for the homeowner.
Introduce a range of textures
The design ethos here isn’t to simply celebrate the look and colours of the mushroom, but it’s textures and the textures of the woodlands in which they most often grow in the wild.
Use natural, textured fabrics like linen and wool and seek out accessories with a thick, tactile finish you want to grasp. Steer clear of manmade finishes on furnishings and look for natural wood – side tables, coffee tables, dining tables, etc – with a strong grain.
Shape up
Fungi grows in an endless variety of shapes, but none of them have straight edges – all are soft and curving, rolling and repeating. Choose your furnishings and accessories carefully to tie into this bounty of nature – from curved edges to your coffee table to a rotund, pot-bellied lamp base. Choose round cushions, an oval rug, use ties to pull back your curtains… Seek out every opportunity to soften the view,
Add a little whimsy
We often forget when decorating a room that it’s OUR room. It’s a space where we will spend more time than anybody else, friends or visiting family, so we should personalise it in a way that makes us happy. One of the pleasures of mushroomcore is that fungi has fantastical elements to it, so if you want to create a twig-based decoration along your mantlepiece, just go for it. If you want to add tiny fairy lights to a large glass jar in a dark corner – make it happen. If a dark brown velvet throw across the back of a moss green sofa appeals – do it. Find your own style and lean in.
Eddie – Friday 18th July 2025.
