Eleanor Finch
The term cottage has evolved over time and is used differently across various cultures and communities. Generally, a cottage is a small, cosy dwelling, often in a rural or semi-rural setting. The concept of size is integral to its definition, with cottages being smaller than typical houses, usually with one to two storeys. In the United Kingdom, a cottage typically refers to a small rural home, while in the United States, it often describes a vacation home near a beach or lake. Cottages in other parts of the world, like Scandinavia and Hong Kong, differ significantly in structure and design.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of storeys | One to two storeys |
| Square Footage | 300–1,500 sq. ft. |
| Number of rooms | One or two bedrooms, a living space, a kitchen, and one or two bathrooms |
| Roof | Steeply pitched, gabled, or thatched |
| Chimney | Prominent, made of brick or stone |
| Windows | Small, with traditional lattice or leaded glass, adorned with shutters or window boxes |
| Doors | Wooden, painted in bright, welcoming colours |
| Materials | Local materials, such as stone, brick, or timber |
| Location | Rural or semi-rural |
| Garden | Present |
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What You'll Learn
- Size and scale: cottages are smaller and more intimate than average houses
- Location: cottages are usually in rural or semi-rural settings
- History: cottages were once homes for agricultural workers
- Architecture: cottages are often thatched, gabled, and made from local materials
- Purpose: cottages are often used as vacation homes or secondary dwellings
Size and scale: cottages are smaller and more intimate than average houses
The term "cottage" originated in England during the Middle Ages, when peasant farmers known as "cotters" lived in modest, rural homes. Today, cottages are generally considered smaller and more intimate than the average house. They typically feature one to two storeys, with a living room, kitchen, one or two bedrooms, and one or two bathrooms. The square footage of a cottage can range from 300 to 1,500 square feet, with an emphasis on compact layouts that maximise space.
In the United Kingdom, a cottage typically refers to a small rural home, often with a thatched roof to keep the house warm. These homes are sought-after for their idyllic aesthetics and cosy ambiance, featuring lush gardens and outdoor spaces. English cottages are prevalent throughout the countryside, often with stone exteriors or brick and timber features.
In the United States, the concept of a cottage has evolved. It often describes a small-frame vacation home near a beach or lake, or a secondary dwelling on a property for guests or labourers. American cottages can be found throughout New England, with Cape Cod-style houses now common across the country. Southern cottages emphasise outdoor living, taking advantage of temperate weather.
In other parts of the world, the definition of a cottage varies. In Scandinavia, a cottage may be a bright red wooden structure with a sauna, while in Hong Kong, it can refer to a three-story brick building with a balcony. In Russia, "cottages" are large houses with vast surrounding land. Despite these variations, the term "cottage" generally evokes a sense of quaintness, charm, and a connection to nature.
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Location: cottages are usually in rural or semi-rural settings
The term "cottage" originated in England during the Middle Ages, when peasant farmers known as "cotters" lived in modest, rural homes. Today, a cottage is typically a small, cosy dwelling, often located in a rural or semi-rural setting. This is particularly true in the United Kingdom, where the term "cottage" usually refers to a small rural home. In the United States, the concept of a cottage has evolved to describe a small-frame vacation home near a beach or lake, or a secondary dwelling on a property for guests or labourers. However, cottages can also be found in suburban settings, such as the Cape Cod-style houses found throughout the country.
In the United Kingdom, cottages are often associated with quaint, pastoral homes in the countryside, surrounded by lush greenery and outdoor spaces. These homes are known for their unique charm and character, with no two cottages being exactly the same, even within the same village. They are typically built using local materials, such as stone, brick, or timber, which contributes to their rustic appeal.
In other parts of the world, the definition of a cottage can vary. For example, in Scandinavia, a cottage is often a bright red wooden structure with a sauna, while in Hong Kong, it can refer to a three-story brick building with a balcony. In Canada and the United States, the term "cottage" is used for holiday homes or vacation rentals, which may also be called cabins, chalets, or camps. In Australia, a "cottage" typically refers to a smaller pre-modern dwelling, while in Russia, it can refer to a large house with a piece of land.
Despite these variations, the common thread among cottages is their size. Cottages are generally smaller than typical houses, with a more intimate and compact layout. They usually feature one to two storeys, with a prominent chimney and a steep, gabled roof, sometimes thatched. The windows are often small and adorned with shutters or window boxes, while the doors are inviting and wooden, sometimes painted in bright colours.
Overall, the term "cottage" evokes a sense of charm and cosiness, whether it is a rural retreat in the English countryside or a vacation home by the lake. Their unique characteristics and picturesque settings make cottages desirable homes or getaway destinations for many.
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History: cottages were once homes for agricultural workers
The term "cottage" and the house style most closely associated with it originated in England during the Middle Ages. Cottages were once the homes of peasant farmers or "cotters", and their modest, rural homes came to be known as cottages. These homes were typically small and cheaply built, with no non-essential architectural flourishes. They were constructed from the cheapest locally available materials, such as thatch in wheat-growing areas or slate in slate-rich locations.
In England during the feudal period, a cottage was the holding of a cottager (or "cotter" or "bordar") who lived in a small house with a garden large enough to feed a family. In return, the cottager had to provide some form of service to the manorial lord. Over time, the term "cottage" became more general, referring to any small house.
In the 14th century, most regular farm servants, such as the carter, ploughman, shepherd, cowherd, and hog-keeper, were owners of land. They lived in cottages with curtilage at a very low rent and in secure possession. They also had rights of pasturage over the common lands of the manor for their sheep, pigs, or cows.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, cottages were constructed for fishermen along the West and South Coasts of South Africa. In Ireland, cottages, known as "teachín", were the homes of farmworkers and labourers. In the United States, the concept of a cottage evolved to describe a small-frame vacation home near a beach or lake or a secondary dwelling on a property for guests or labourers.
In modern times, the term "cottage" is used in a more romantic context, usually referring to pre-modern dwellings. Cottages may be detached houses or terraced, such as those built to house workers in mining or agricultural villages.
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Architecture: cottages are often thatched, gabled, and made from local materials
The term "cottage" and its associated house style originated in England during the Middle Ages. At the time, cottages were modest, rural homes of peasant farmers known as "cotters". Over time, the term "cottage" has evolved and is now used more generally to describe a category of houses, rather than one specific architectural style.
That said, cottages are often associated with certain architectural features. For instance, cottages are typically characterised by their compact size, usually featuring one to two storeys. They are often thatched, gabled, and made from local materials, such as stone, brick, or timber. Cottages in the countryside, for example, are more likely to be made of stone, while brick or timber may be more common in other areas. This use of local materials contributes to the unique charm of cottages.
The roofs of cottages are typically steeply pitched, sometimes with dormer windows, and may be thatched. Thatched roofs were originally designed to keep the house warm during cold and rainy seasons. Cottages may also have prominent chimneys, often made of brick or stone. Windows are usually small, with traditional lattice or leaded glass, and may be adorned with shutters or window boxes. Doors are often wooden and inviting, sometimes painted in bright, welcoming colours.
In addition to their architectural features, cottages are also distinguished by their size and scale. They are generally smaller and more intimate compared to average houses. Cottages usually have one or two bedrooms, a living space, a kitchen, and one or two bathrooms. The layout is often compact and designed to maximise the use of space.
The concept of a cottage has also evolved differently in various parts of the world. In the United States, for example, a "cottage" may refer to a small vacation home or a secondary dwelling on a property. In Canada and the United States, "cottage" is a term used for holiday homes, although they may also be called "cabins", "chalets", or "camps". In Australia, a "cottage" typically refers to a smaller pre-modern dwelling. In Scandinavia, a cottage is often associated with a bright red wooden structure that includes a sauna, while in Hong Kong, it may refer to a three-story brick building with a balcony.
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Purpose: cottages are often used as vacation homes or secondary dwellings
The term "cottage" has evolved over time and differs across cultures and communities. Cottages are often used as vacation homes or secondary dwellings, especially in North America.
In the United States, a cottage is typically a small-frame vacation home near a beach or lake, or a secondary dwelling on a larger property for guests or labourers. In Canada and the United States, the term "cottage" is synonymous with a holiday home, although other terms like “cabin", "chalet", or "camp" may be used. American cottages are often found in New England areas like Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, featuring cedar shingles and a steeply pitched roof. Southern cottages emphasise outdoor living due to temperate weather.
In the United Kingdom, a cottage usually refers to a small, rural home, often with a thatched roof and a cosy, quaint interior. In England, the term "holiday cottage" denotes a specialised form of residential let property with tax benefits for the owner. In modern times, cottages have become sought-after for their idyllic aesthetics and cosy ambiance, a far cry from their historical association with peasant farmers or labourers.
In Norway, the term “hytte" or "fritidsbolig" refers to vacation cottages often built near leisure activities like fishing or outdoor sports, or in areas of natural beauty. In Russia, "cottages" emerged in the 19th century during a period of British cultural influence, and today, many large cities are surrounded by cottage villages.
Cottages, by their traditional understanding, are smaller than typical houses, with a range of 300 to 1,500 square feet. They usually have one to two storeys, a prominent chimney, and a steeply pitched or gabled roof. Cottages are often constructed using local materials, resulting in regional variations in their appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
A cottage is always a house, but a house is not always a cottage. Cottages are generally smaller and more intimate compared to the average house. They are usually quaint, cosy, and full of character.
During England's feudal period, cottages were small houses with gardens for lord's servants on manor properties. Cottages were also provided as tied accommodation for farmworkers.
Cottages typically have one to two storeys, a prominent chimney, and a steep, gabled roof, sometimes thatched. They are usually built using local materials, which is why their appearance varies regionally.
In the United States, a "cottage" is a small vacation home near a beach or lake. In the UK, a cottage usually refers to a small rural home. In Scandinavia, a cottage is a bright red wooden structure with a sauna, while in Hong Kong, it is a three-story brick building with a balcony.
There is no strict standard, but cottages are generally smaller dwellings. They can range from 300 square feet for very small cottages to around 1,500 square feet for larger ones.
