When we see the quaint cross-gables, steeply pitched roofs, smooth arched doorways, or storybook touches of a cottage, we can’t help but let out a wistful sigh. These smaller homes with just a handful of bedrooms come in all sorts of architectural styles, but the coziness 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 any cottage lover. Whether you’re in the market or you just want to relish in the fairytale appeal, these cottages—both traditional and modern—are certain to leave you breathless.
Randolph Cottage
This charming cottage lives bigger than its sweet size with an open floor plan. It has a Williamsburg-meets-New England look 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 side of the house off the dining room.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
1,800 square feet
Cloudland Cottage
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 by architect Durham Crout with long and cozy family weekends—plus plenty of quality time spent together—in mind.
The Details:
2 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,200 square feet
Cottage Revival
This L-shaped cottage has a lived-in, snug vibe. The one-story plan offers a modern cottage approach to more traditional styles. It has the entry from the side porch, and it places the great room at the back of the home, near the outdoor back deck.
The Details:
4 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,929 square feet
River Place Cottage
This traditional Southern coastal-style cottage has plenty of classic charm. It features a large open layout with a living-dining space that’s flanked on two sides by the 470-square-foot front porch and an additional side screened porch (there’s a third porch off the back of the house, too), making it ideal for family gatherings.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
2,420 square feet
Farmdale Cottage
This country-style cottage gives a warm welcome with its centered, elevated front door. Post-and-beam ceilings in the kitchen and brick floors in the light-filled dining room give rustic charm.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,057 square feet
Sugarberry Cottage
This compact plan has a family-friendly layout with a downstairs primary, a cozy fireplace, and two large upstairs bedrooms. Two covered porches and a screened porch provide plenty of outdoor living space for spreading out.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
1,679 square feet
Celebration Cottage
This stunning Alabama 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 wraparound porch that makes you want to stay awhile.
The Details:
4 to 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths
4,037 square feet
Winonna Park
This cottage has all of the features of a larger home in a manageable size. It’s all about the open spaces in this home, including an upper-floor loft area that looks down to the main floor. A see-through fireplace separates the living and dining rooms, while a wall of windows in the living room lets in plenty of natural light.
The Details:
2 to 3 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,872 square feet
Little Blue Farmhouse
This storybook cottage combines historic architectural details, like a steeply pitched roof, with modern amenities. It has an open, flexible floor plan and a large wraparound porch, both of which maximize indoor-outdoor living in this functional and adaptable house.
The Details:
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,011 square feet
Cotton Hill Cottage
This cozy cottage proves that special things can sometimes come in smaller packages. It’s equally livable in a suburban neighborhood or along a lakefront. The front porch and entry offer a charming first impression of the interior’s delightful, sunny spaces. Double doors off the front porch provide entrance to a study or guest room.
The Details:
2 to 3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,009 square feet
Grace Park Cottage
The nearly 8-foot-deep 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 ½ baths
2,089 square feet
