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 its open floor plan and gives the perfect Williamsburg-meets-New England style with a Southern touch we just love.
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.
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. It’s a modern approach to a traditional cottage home.
4 bedrooms and 2 ½ 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!
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, while brick floors in the light-filled dining room give rustic charm.
3 to 4 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."
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 perfect breakfast nook in the living room, cozied up to the stairs and right off the kitchen.
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.
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 where friends and family can relax. It’s a plan that’s infinitely versatile with style and location, making it a fail-safe option for any home.
4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths
2,718 square feet
See Plan: Cottage of the Year
Seale Court, Plan #1910
This cozy 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.
3 to 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ 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.
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.
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.
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
1,581 square feet
See Plan: St. George Cottage
Winonna Park, Plan #503
This cottage gives all of the features of a larger home in a super 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.
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 authentic 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.
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.
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,011 square feet
See Plan: This Old House Cottage
Canton Row, Plan #1938
An open kitchen-dining-living space allows for entertaining and family time, while a small side screened porch offers an escape for relaxation.
3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
1,623 square feet
See Plan: Canton Row
Benning, Plan #1909
This cottage features traditional Colonial-Revival touches and gives some 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.
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.
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.
2 to 3 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,083 square feet
See Plan: Cotton Hill Cottage
