Viral cottagecore's more edgy cousin, dark cottagecore, is trending for 2022. Shop these dark cottagecore home decor pieces from Etsy, Target, Pottery Barn, and more.

The search term “dark academia aesthetic” peaked on Google as one year turned to the next, gaining traction on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Tumblr.

Although the phrase rose to prominence online as an aesthetic descriptor, dark academia has its roots in a literary genre dating back to the early 20th century. Novels such as E.M. Forster’s “Maurice” ...