House Types: Cottages, Cabins, Tiny Homes, and More Explained

When you think of a house type, a category of residential structure defined by design, purpose, and location. Also known as dwelling style, it shapes everything from your morning coffee view to how much you pay for a weekend escape. Not every house is made for the same reason. Some are built to disappear into the woods. Others are designed to generate more power than they use. And some? They’re just small enough to fit on a trailer.

Take cottage, a small, cozy home often found in rural or lakeside areas, usually with charm and character versus a vacation cabin, a rustic, often wooden structure built for temporary stays in nature. They sound similar, but a cottage might have a stone chimney and flower boxes. A cabin? It’s more likely to have a wood stove and no Wi-Fi. Then there’s the tiny house, a compact home under 500 square feet, built for minimalism and mobility. These aren’t just small rooms—they’re engineered solutions. Some run on solar power. Others sit on wheels so you can move them. And yes, they can last 30 to 50 years if you treat them right.

And then there’s the eco-friendly home, a residence designed to reduce environmental impact through energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and renewable systems. These aren’t just about recycling bins. We’re talking homes that produce their own electricity, collect rainwater, and grow food on the roof. One in British Columbia even costs a billion dollars—not because it’s huge, but because it’s completely self-sustaining. Meanwhile, the most expensive eco-friendly house in the world isn’t a mansion. It’s a net-zero cottage that doesn’t just live with nature—it feeds it.

You don’t need to buy a billion-dollar home to enjoy these house types. Many of them are available as rentals—like glamping sites that blend luxury with the outdoors, or quiet adults-only cottages where no kids mean no noise. Some are tucked into forests. Others sit right on the edge of a lake. The real question isn’t what kind of house you’re staying in—it’s what kind of experience you want. Do you want privacy? A wood-burning fireplace? A place where you can unplug for days? The right house type makes all the difference.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve lived in, rented, or compared these spaces. From the hidden costs of all-inclusive resorts to whether vacation cabins are worth it, we’ve collected the questions you actually ask—and the answers that don’t come from brochures. Whether you’re planning a solo retreat, a couples getaway, or a sustainable long-term stay, the right house type isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s the first step to the kind of escape you actually remember.