Cottagecore Is Having a Major Moment in Real Estate

At Country Living, we’ve long been fans of cottage design with its whimsical storybook exteriors, time-worn architectural quirks, and layered earthy textiles. Now the real estate market is on trend with cottagecore too. Homebuyers will now pay more for homes with cozy, cottage-inspired features, according to new research from Zillow.

“Cottagecore taps into a desire for homes that feel like an escape from everyday life,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “After years of busy schedules and screen time, buyers are drawn to spaces that encourage slowing down, where they can picture sunset dinners by the water or s’mores around the fire. Even if the home isn’t actually a vacation property, buyers are willing to pay more for features that make everyday life feel like a getaway.”

Even the word “cottage” in a house listing associates it with a 3.2 percent sale premium, according to Zillow.

What gives those homes such strong appeal on the market today? According to Realty Times, while many homes today are designed to be larger and technologically advanced, buyers now want something warmer and more personal like they find in cottages’ collected rooms that feel more lived-in and feature timeless architectural details like dormer windows.

“A smaller, well-designed home can feel more satisfying than a large space that is rarely fully used,” according to Realty Times.

Outdoor fireplaces and waterfront views both add value to a home in today’s market.

One of the most core aspects of a cottage-style home is its close association with the outdoors, and Zillow’s real estate research confirms that’s what buyers want. Waterfront homes sell for 3 percent more than other listings, and likewise those with a dock sell for even more, at 5.4 percent (or about $19,500 extra on the typical home). Outdoor living features are also big sellers. Listings with an outdoor fireplace add another 2.8 percent, those with an outdoor kitchen boost sales by 4.4 percent, and even an outdoor shower adds 4.3 percent.

Have a cottage by the water with a quaint outdoor fireplace? It might sell for more than you realize in today’s real estate market, but regardless, it’s certainly a treasure to behold for anyone who calls it home, no matter how long they’ve lived there.

Madoline Markham Koonce

Assistant Managing Editor

Madoline Markham Koonce is the assistant managing editor at Country Living and VERANDA, where she covers home décor, shopping, travel, news, and culture. She began her career at Southern Living and previously worked in community journalism—including serving as the editor of three community magazines she helped launch. She has an undergraduate degree in history from Rhodes College (and loves to tap her love of history in her writing) as well as a master's degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri. When she's not on deadline, you can find her baking or lost in a good book.