Cottage vs Cabin: What’s the difference

An escapade with nature, away from the busy life in the city can be more relaxing when you stay in a place that feels like a home away from home. A comfortable place for rest …

cottage vs cabin

An escapade with nature, away from the busy life in the city can be more relaxing when you stay in a place that feels like a home away from home. A comfortable place for rest can be a small, simple shelter, may it be a cottage or cabin. However, aside from their common differences in construction materials, there are few more details to distinguish them from each other. Read this article to find out the difference between cottage vs cabin.

Table of Contents

What is a Cabin?

A cabin has a personal touch, typically built by the person longing to live in it with the use of woods, called as logs. Making a cabin house also requires less work. It is easier to build and naturally looks simple in structure compared to other types of homes. According to American history, this type of house is from the first settlers who built homes.

What is a Cottage?

Depending on a country’s definition, a cottage is a temporary place to lodge or a small, simple residential house. In terms of structure, it has a more modern taste depending on the professional builders assigned to build it. A cottage has a more finished or sophisticated look because of various masonry and material types like bricks and stones.

cottage vs cabin

Cottage vs Cabin: The Difference

Design in their appearance

Considering who built the houses, professional builders are the ones who create cottages with small house-like structures that vary in size compared to a cabin which is a small room-like structure built by just a person. The house has a more straightforward look and a more natural vibe compared to a cottage which is more sophisticated and perfectly furnished.

Log patterns create a natural design for a cabin that reflects history, a work of nature. On the other hand, a cottage has a more modern taste. It has different inspirations in design or masonry. It also consists of an upper floor to provide more rooms for people.

What are they made of?

Construction materials in building a cabin come from nature which can be just around the area, called logs. Cabin logs commonly come from the trees of Cyprus, white and yellow pine, red and white cedar oak, and many more. The shape of a log also plays a considerable role in labor work. At earlier times, before the arrival of cold weather, settlers used round logs since they did not require much energy for construction, but it can be an insulation concern since the logs do not fit or match together. On the other hand, a square or an angled log cabin is more effortless to connect and gives better insulation. Building a cottage can require more options on construction materials. It can be composed of bricks, mud, stones, and wood since it inspires different designs or structures to provide suitable accommodation to a larger group of people.

Location

Cabins are more associated with nature. You can usually see these houses in the forest or somewhere with the sea breeze. Ideally, you can find the materials to build a cabin within the area. Cabin are constructed primarily as temporary or seasonal homes in the countryside, depending on the people’s needs. It is an excellent place for catering to many people, providing more rooms and space.

Facilities

In terms of comfortability, cottages provides more convenience since it usually supplies modern facilities with electricity and water. It is only reasonable to have such facilities as it is necessary for a homestay. 

Due to its location, a cabin may not usually have electricity or running water supply. However, it can still provide a relaxing time, allowing you to experience and appreciate nature more. You can relax with the natural sound from the bonfire that lights up the surroundings and warms you. As for the water, you can get it from a nearby river, and it can also be an exercise for you while filling up your water tank.

Cost

Cabins are cheaper than cottages since woods are the materials used for them. You can also see or get it from the surrounding nature. You are to spend a modest amount on building cottage vs cabin since it has more materials, providing a fully furnished place to stay.

cabins interior

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is a cottage a bungalow?

No, a cottage is different from a bungalow. Nowadays, a cottage can already be a two-story house providing more rooms which is also more expensive to build than a bungalow. The cottage is located in rural areas and is usually used as a seasonal home away from the cold weather that provides a warm cozy vibe. On the other hand, a bungalow is a type of single-story house.

Do cottages have upstairs?

You might be curious if a cottage has an upstairs because it is a small house, and the answer is yes. Traditionally, they have a tiny upper place or attic for storage purposes, so the space or size upstairs is just enough to reach it. Due to modernization and considerations, an upper floor of a cottage may no longer be an attic but a larger space to be considered a room.

Can you put a cabin in your garden?

Yes, a cabin can be in place in your garden. However, before adding this for a more aesthetic garden, it is better to know if requirements or regulations are needed to be satisfied in your residency to prevent any problems.

Why is a cottage called a cottage?

The word cottage is generally a term from Old English, from a word referring to a person residing in it that is called a cotter. It is also a term to indicate an old-fashioned home.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you spend quality time with yourself or your family in a cottage or cabin, both houses provide a good place of comfort. A cottage and cabin differs if you want a natural feel or modernized accommodation; both also reflect the history and progress of home designs. 

Real Home Digest