A "cottage" is defined more by its cozy proportions and architectural style than a strict legal square footage, but in modern real estate, a cottage typically ranges between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet. Some smaller "tiny house" cottages can be as small as 600 square feet, while larger "luxury cottages" might stretch toward 2,000 square feet. Historically, the term referred to a small, practical dwelling for agricultural workers, often featuring a single story or a small second story tucked under a steeply pitched roof. Key architectural characteristics include asymmetrical facades, cozy rooms, and an emphasis on comfort over grandeur. A cottage usually has one to three bedrooms and is designed to feel intimate and connected to its natural surroundings, often featuring stone or wood exteriors and a prominent front porch. While the word "cottage" is sometimes used loosely to describe any vacation home, its core identity remains rooted in a modest, functional, and charming living space that prioritizes quality of life and "hygge" over sheer volume and square footage.