Our 30 Best House Plans For Cottage Lovers
When we see the quaint cross-gables, steeply pitched roof, smooth arched doorways, and storybook touches of a cottage-style home, we can't help but let out a wistful sigh. The coziness just oozes from every nook and cranny, inside and out. And while we feature every house style under the sun in our handy arsenal of Southern Living House Plans, it seems that none might be more treasured than the cottage. These charming cottages are just hard not to love, so we gathered some of our best-selling house plans that are perfect for the cottage lover. Whether you're in the market or you just want to relish the fairytale appeal, these cottages—both traditional and modern—are certain to leave you breathless.
Randolph Cottage, Plan #1861
This charming cottage lives bigger than its sweet size with an open floor plan and has a Williamsburg-meets-New England style vibe we just love. The upstairs TV room gives the second-story inhabitants a secluded place to hang out, and a porch is tucked around the back.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
1,800 square feet
See plan: Randolph Cottage
Cloudland Cottage, Plan #1894
Life at this charming cabin in Chickamauga, Georgia, centers around one big living room and a nearly 200-square-foot back porch. It was designed with long family weekends and cozy time spent together in mind.
The Details:
2 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,200 square feet
See plan: Cloudland Cottage
Cottage Revival, Plan #1946
This L-shaped cottage gives a lived-in, cozy vibe and places the great room towards the back of the home near the outdoor deck and kitchen. The one-story plan offers a modern approach to a traditional cottage home.
The Details:
4 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,929 square feet
See plan: Cottage Revival
River Place Cottage, Plan #1959
This traditional Southern coastal-style cottage gives a classic feel with charm. It features a large open layout with a living-dining space that's flanked on most sides by a large porch and additional side screened porch, making it ideal for family gatherings.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
2,420 square feet
See plan: River Place Cottage
Farmdale Cottage, Plan #1870
This country-style cottage gives a warm welcome with the centered raised front door and entry. Post-and-beam ceilings in the kitchen and brick floors in the light-filled dining room give rustic charm.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 4 baths
2,057 square feet
See plan: Farmdale Cottage
Covington Cottage, Plan #1010
Giving just over 1,900 square feet of living space, this cozy cottage lives big with an open, one-level floor plan and spacious interiors. The home blends traditional elements and comfortable family styling for a plan that makes a perfect place to call "home."
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,941 square feet
See plan: Covington Cottage
Sugarberry Cottage, Plan #1648
This compact plan gives a family-oriented layout with elements like a living room cozied up to the stairs and right off the kitchen. A covered porch and screened porch provide plenty of outdoor living space for spreading out.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
1,679 square feet
See plan: Sugarberry Cottage
Celebration Cottage, Plan #1891
This stunning Southern home with modern detail was Southern Living's 2016 Idea House, located in our hometown of Birmingham. The open spacious interior perfectly complements the impressively large Southern porch that makes you want to stay awhile.
The Details:
4 to 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths
4,037 square feet
See plan: Celebration Cottage
Cottage Of The Year, Plan #593
Here's a warm and inviting year-round retreat with plenty of space for friends and family to relax together and in their own spaces. The versatile plan includes a guest cottage set off the back of the house, while the primary bedroom is attached by a vestibule.
The Details:
4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths
2,718 square feet
See plan: Cottage of the Year
Seale Court, Plan #1910
This simple vernacular cottage features a simple gabled ell form seen on my Southern cottages. Its simple, yet well-placed door (with a pop of color) is the focal point of the welcoming front porch. A flex room could be converted into a fourth bedroom or used as a study.
The Details:
3 to 4 bedrooms and 4 baths
2,755 square feet
See plan: Seale Court
Aiken Street, Plan #1807
A mix of simple spaces and natural materials set the tone for this home's relaxed attitude, while a metal roof and tall operable shutters lend a Lowcountry feel to this classic cottage with a vintage twist. See how a designer decorated this home.
The Details:
4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths
2,233 square feet
See plan: Aiken Street
Wildmere Cottage, Plan #1110
The living room, dining room, and kitchen flow seamlessly together in this home for a farmhouse-style cottage perfect for a family. A functionally compact, but charming mudroom opens to a cozy screened porch at the back of the home.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths
2,345 square feet
See plan: Wildmere Cottage
St. George Cottage, Plan #1906
This quaint coastal-inspired cottage features an efficient open layout that makes the most of its compact square footage. The design ensures abundant natural light in the interior of the home, while a fireplace and dual access to a full-width rear covered porch are major standouts in the main portion of the house.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
1,610 square feet
See plan: St. George Cottage
Winonna Park, Plan #503
This cottage gives all of the features of a larger home in a manageable size. It's all about the free-flowing spaces in this home, including an upper-floor loft area that's open to the main floor. A see-through fireplace punctuates the living and dining space, while a wall of front-facing windows in the living room ensures that this area receives plenty of natural light.
The Details:
2 to 3 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,872 square feet
See plan: Winonna Park
Nautical Cottage, Plan #224
An exterior of cedar shakes and porch detailing in the Nantucket star design add to the look and feel of this relaxed and spacious cottage. Inspired by small summer cottages built along the East Coast, this plan is adaptable in a variety of climates and locations.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,315 square feet
See plan: Nautical Cottage
This Old House Cottage, Plan #1873
This storybook cottage with a steeply pitched roof combines historical architectural details with modern amenities. An open floor plan, a flexible layout, and a wraparound porch maximize space indoors and out for a home that's functional, adaptable, and full of appeal.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,011 square feet
See plan: This Old House Cottage
Canton Row, Plan #1938
This charming two-story is lined with windows that bathe the rooms in light. An open kitchen-dining-living space allows for entertaining and family time, while a small side screened porch offers an escape for relaxation.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
1,623 square feet
See plan: Canton Row
Benning, Plan #1909
This cottage features traditional Colonial-Revival touches with great curb appeal. The layout embodies many of our favorite elements of classic Southern Architecture, while the generous five-bay front porch beckons cool evenings sitting in rocking chairs and visiting with neighbors.
The Details:
4 to 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths
3,151 square feet
See plan: Benning
Brunswick Cottage, Plan #595
The heart of this cottage is the galley-style kitchen and casual dining area thoughtfully designed as one integrated space, but a clever mix of materials lends simple charm. Cedar shingles and wooden brackets accent the peaked gables of the home; while decorative wood paneling below the windows, a standing seam metal roof, and the stone chimney add the perfect finishing touches.
The Details:
2 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,184 square feet
See plan: Brunswick Cottage
Cotton Hill Cottage, Plan #286
This cozy cottage proves that special things come in small packages. It's equally livable, whether nestled in a suburban neighborhood or built along a lakefront; while the entry and front porch offer a quaint first impression that reflects the interior's inviting, light-filled spaces. Double doors off the front porch provide entrance to a study or guest room.
The Details:
2 to 3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,083 square feet
See plan: Cotton Hill Cottage
Amelia River Cottage, Plan #2069
This bungalow-style cottage offers a warm welcome with its charming front porch. Inside, the hardworking layout features an open concept kitchen and living area, with tucked-away bedrooms to retreat from the action. Live outside year-round on the back porch with a brick fireplace.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths
2,454 square feet
See plan: Amelia River Cottage
Magnolia Cottage, Plan #1845
This classic cottage features a perfectly symmetrical floor plan, with bedrooms on the left and right sides of the open family room and kitchen. This cozy home includes front and back porches in its compact footprint for indoor-outdoor living.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 3 baths
1,776 square feet
See plan: Magnolia Cottage
Longleaf Cottage, Plan #1961
This floor plan is meant for entertaining, with spacious porches front and back or flanking either side. See how interior designer Anna Braund brought this cottage to life in her hometown of Roswell, Georgia.
The Details:
4 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths
2,584 square feet
See plan: Longleaf Cottage
Hawthorn Cottage, Plan #2004
This farmhouse-inspired cottage lives much larger than its 1,600-square-foot footprint thanks to a lofted ceiling in the great room and big, breezy screened porch. The bedrooms are set off a hallway for ample privacy.
The Details:
2 bedrooms, 2 baths
1,611 square feet
See plan: Hawthorn Cottage
Garden Cottage, Plan #1830
This teensy-tiny outbuilding is the perfect abode for aging parents or weekend getaways. The cozy plan packs all the essentials into 540 square feet, including a bedroom and bath, kitchen, living room, and front porch.
The Details:
1 bedroom, 1 bath
540 square feet
See plan: Garden Cottage
Garden Home Cottage, Plan #1859
This sweet garden gate and welcoming front porch will make neighbors want to come calling. Inside, the substantial parlor provides space to continue the conversation.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
1,870 square feet
See plan: Garden Home Cottage
Sand Dollar Cottage, Plan #2090
Southern Living House Plans
We love every nautical detail on this cottage, from the anchors below to the weathervane above. A massive screened porch and outdoor fireplace ensure you'll enjoy your coastal retreat in all seasons.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
2,946 square feet
See plan: Sand Dollar Cottage
Adaptive Cottage
Designed in conjunction with the Parkinson's Foundation, this charmer is the ideal home for aging in place. The plan provides space at the rear entry for a ramp, while the traditional cottage look of the home is designed to blend seamlessly into any community. See the interior of this home built in Habersham, South Carolina.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
1,966 square feet
See plan: Adaptive Cottage
Grace Park Cottage, Plan #2063
The deep-set front porch of Grace Park is adorned with three sets of French doors. It's just one of many classic details throughout the home, such as box beams, wood paneling, and transom windows.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
2,089 square feet
See plan: Grace Park Cottage
Coastal Living Cottage, Plan #1986
Despite its name, we believe the bungalow elements of this cottage would blend into any neighborhood. This house is designed to maximize views and access to the outdoors, with a sizable screened porch with a fireplace for gathering on chilly evenings.
The Details:
3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths
2,916 square feet
See plan: Coastal Living Cottage
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a house a cottage?
The word "cottage" has been around for a long time, and thanks to its usage by different cultures and communities, it's come to describe a category of house, not one specific architectural style.
What are the most common defining architectural features of a cottage house?
Cottage houses provide comfort and a sense of coziness. The most common features include the following: asymmetrical architecture, steep gable rooflines, a decorative arched entryway, an oversized chimney, and Craftsman-style finishes like window boxes, cobblestone walkways, and casement windows.
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