Cottage Home Style

Cottages originated in Medieval Europe as housing for farm workers families, and they were built of stone or inexpensive local materials such as thatch. Nowadays small cottage house plans are usually used by retirees whose families have moved away, or as summer vacation or weekend getaway homes by people who live in cities. These cottages are often built on lakes or near the ocean, or in forested areas where there is hiking, fishing, or hunting. Cottages have a cozy, comfortable feeling to them which goes along with life in the country. Cottages are for people who are seeking simplicity and the tranquility of nature. Cottage living often includes gardening and being out of doors, so many cottage home plans include porches or patios. Other plans are specially designed to take advantage of natural topographical features of the house site such as hillside views, scenic vistas, even plans for narrow or wedge-shaped lots. The advantages of cottage living are economy - small dwellings are inexpensive to build, to heat, and to maintain. Usually cottage plans are for single family dwellings, but there are also multi-family plans which are ideally suited as rental or investment properties.

There are a number of variations of cottage style decorating, each with its own personality and charm. If you are a fan of this quaint and cozy decorating style, here are three popular options to consider:
- Vintage Cottage. Vintage cottage is the type most closely associated with this decorating style. Vintage cottage is reminiscent of shabby cottage -- sans the frills and excess of white painted furniture. If you have a fondness for flea markets and garage sales, this type of cottage style will certainly appeal to you! Vintage cottage allows you to let your imagination run wild. Picture a home decorated with a collection of vintage furnishings, accessories and fabrics from a variety of periods. A vintage cottage home should feel warm and welcoming. It should also include items that reflect your personality and interests.
- Beach Cottage. Beach cottage decorating is simple to achieve -- start with basic, neutral furnishings. Think of clean, casual and airy spaces filled with the colors found in and around the sea. If you don't live near the water, find inspiration from beachy photos and artwork. This style works best when approached subtly - kitsch is frowned upon in classic beach cottage design. Sorry, you’ll have to leave your lighthouse and seagull collections at the door!
- Rustic Cottage. If you dream of a lakeside cabin or one nestled in a wooded valley surrounded by majestic mountains, then you need to bring rustic cottage style into your home! This decorating style is a natural, textural and bucolic style, well suited to rural environs. However, you can recreate this rustic decorating style in any home or apartment.

No matter which variation of Cottage Style is your favorite, by artfully arranging your personal things, you'll be on your way to your very own cozy, comfy Cottage Style home.