Core of the month: Forestcore

22 February 2023

Bringing nature into our homes – both in plant form and through colour – has a calming influence that is good for our health and wellbeing. It’s why biophilic design is such a big deal, and most likely why the hashtag #forestcore is now trending on TikTok, with over 170m views and counting. So what exactly is it? In the first of a new series where we take a deep dive into the ‘Core of the Month’, Good Homes heads into the woods…

So, what is Forestcore?

Think forest bathing, the Japanese practice of being peaceful and still in nature, but in your own home. Think decor with a woodland vibe, featuring dark leafy greens, natural materials like wood, (ideally with a raw finish) and smooth stone. Texture is key, as is depth of colour.

According to biologist E.O Wilson, biophilia, a trend that been gaining traction since last year, is the ‘innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world’. Forestcore takes this further by injecting more woodland elements into biophilic design. Think leaf-print wallpaper, rich green velvet fabrics, wooden cupboards and shelves. Plus, of course, plenty of plants.

Forestcore on TikTok

@duluxuk1 Forestcore: The ultimate nature aesthetic. We love seeing this trend root its way into the interior design space. #forestcore #decor #aesthetic #fyp ♬ original sound – Dulux UK

Forest bathing

The bathroom is a great place to start with forestcore. Imagine sinking into a deep, hot bath, closing your eyes and picturing yourself wandering through lush, green woodland. Start with green walls (the you go, the more cocoon-like it will feel), then add in some tiles. The grain leaves mural from Baked Tile Co (from £264) is a real show stopper. The floral, leafy mural features peaches and soft greens and, adding to the forestcore vibe, has a timber-effect porcelain base.

Bring an element of forestcore to your bathroom with these nature inspired tiles

Photo: Baked Tile Co

An al fresco living room

This joy-filled living room ticks all the forestcore boxes. Lush woodland wallpaper? Check. Oodles of plants? Check. Deep green paint shades? Velvet? Check and check. But what it also does, very nicely indeed, is incorporate a real wood burning stove. The beautiful Arada Stoves are crafted in Britain out of raw steel and welded at 1500°C with a precise finish, and they’ve just launched their new bold colour edit. Good Homes loves the yellow stove.

Try a pop of yellow within your forestcore greens

Photo: Arada Stoves

Sleep in nature

The aptly named Hunter upholstered bed from French Bedroom Company, comes in forest green (from £1,395). ‘The colour combination of deep green and brown has been chosen by our design team to hark the colours of the forest and emulate the feelings of freedom we get from being in the outdoors, at one with nature,’ said a French Bedroom Company spokesperson. ‘[The forest is] a powerful yet peaceful domain.’ Add in a few botanical prints, some plants and leafy accent cushions you’ve got forestcore nailed.

Deep velvet will feel sumptuous to sleep in

Photo: French Bedroom Company

Plant your accessories

To bring forestcore into your home in a subtle way, add in woodland-inspired accessories, like the Bobo 1325 Fawn over Throw (from £250). ‘This collection features intricate hand drawn botanicals in an array of deep botanical greens to immerse you in a biophilic wonderland, interspersed with woodland creatures,’ said a Bobo 1325 spokesperson.