Elements of Cottage Style Homes

Entryways

• Cottage style, also called Carpenter Gothic Revival, pays homage to its Gothic roots with the entryways. Medieval-style doors with elaborate panels welcomes people into a cottage-style home, according to Dream Home Source website (DHS). The entryway opens up to a casually flowing floor plan.

Roof

• Look for a roof that pitches steeply, varies in configuration with gables and covered in decorative shingles. Cottage-style homes often have ornamental chimneys and asymmetrical gables, adding to the cottage charm.

Windows

• Cottage style usually involves bay windows with multi-panes, according to DHS. Look for casement windows with rectangular or diamond panes. Don't cover up this element of your cottage home with elaborate window treatments, either. Keep the look simple with blinds, shades, valances or left bare, allowing the shapes and molding of the window panes to speak for themselves.

Sinks

• According to Kohler, farmhouse, apron-front, under-counter and freestanding porcelain sinks all work well in a cottage-style home. For faucets, look for an antique style, with a wall mount or high arch faucet in polished nickel, hand-rubbed bronze or chrome.

Floors

• Old wood floors with varying widths of planks and old pegs scream cottage style. Painted floors are also very common in cottage-style homes. If the flooring is not in good shape, vinyl flooring may be a better option for you.

Cabinetry

• Cabinets should be light in color and accented with vintage handles. Painted cabinets in light colors, bead board, batten doors and glass doors, as well as a distressed look, are all options for cottage cabinetry.

Ceiling

• Exposed old beams and crown molding are both popular elements in cottage-style homes. For extra flair, go with a coffered ceiling, with recessed panels.