Tour the most beautiful cottages

Quaint cottages don't just charm the visitor from the outside, the interior design is also noteworthy. Cottage homes, for instance, typically cover less square footage, meaning construction and furnishing bills are cheaper than that of a traditional home. This often means the interior design is more thoughtful as extra function is packed into a smaller space.

Those who seek the cottage life aren't just empty nesters. Cottage living is also very attractive to first time home buyers, who prefer to invest more in life versus merely the physical footprint of one's home. In the list below, we've found some of the most beautiful cottages out there. From charming storybook cottages that seem to come out of a fairy tale to serene seaside escapes, it quickly becomes clear that cottage living comes in all styles and locations. Take a tour of these homes, and you'll find that luxury doesn't have to mean big.

This charming little cottage looks to have come straight from the pages of a fairy tale, and is aptly named The Storybook Cottage. Located near Nashville, it sits on eight scenic acres. House & Sanctuary says it's "the perfect place to get away from your fast-paced world to find the things that matter most." The cottage is a cozy 800 square feet that consists of two bedrooms and one bathroom. Staying in this home would truly be a memorable experience thanks to the cathedral ceilings, painted wood floors, and unique décor. Get the full tour here.

A guest house doesn't have to be boring or substandard. One look at the guest house featured today proves just that. Designed by Eric Shephard Architects, it's 600 square feet of pure luxury. The layout makes efficient use of every square foot and includes a living room, kitchen, one bedroom, and one bathroom. The exterior mimics the main residence which Shephard Architects describes as "classic farmhouse with Tudor roots". Inside, you'll find soaring vaulted ceilings, high-end finishes, and plenty of bright windows. With a guest house like this, you'd have trouble convincing your visitors to leave!  Get the full tour here.

This one-of-a-kind vacation rental is available through the appropriately named Unique Home Stays. Nicknamed The Edge, the cottage sits atop a cliff with a stunning view of Whitsand Bay in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The interior is luxurious yet simple, creating a relaxing atmosphere accented with cool blues and bright whites. The beach cabin was built with eco-friendly materials including sustainably-sourced cedar cladding, triple-glazed windows, and natural wool insulation. Take a look at the fresh interior below; no doubt you'll be dreaming of a seaside vacation in this gorgeous retreat. Get the full tour here.

The Cottage Company based in the Pacific Northwest is dedicated to "building pocket neighborhood communities of compact homes" that are functional, attractive, and sustainable. The stunning Kvale Hytte Cottage is just one example of how to live large regardless of square footage. The community in which this tiny home was built is one of the most pleasant places to live, earning NAHB Builders Choice Grand & Merit Awards and the AIA 2009 National Housing Award. The surrounding flora and the nearly 5-acre permanently-preserved woodlands makes this cottage look like something out of a fairy tale. Get the full tour here.

Tucked away in the suburbs of Seattle is where you'll find this charming West Coast cottage by The Cottage Company. An incredible home awaits behind this adorable dutch door. While the interior will certainly brings smiles to guests' faces, the views of the neighborhood aren't too shabby, either! This lovely home is surrounded by homes that are just as nice to look at.  While this abode has many Craftsman-like features on the exterior, the inside is a bit of a departure from the style. The inside of this home is plenty modern, and from the looks of it, this interior will likely stay "modern-looking" for years to come. Get the full tour here.

This tiny and bright cabin of only 665 square feet (62 sq. m), houses a family of five. After facing financial hardship, the family decided to get back to basics. They sold their home and with it went their big mortgage payment. They had a new goal to live with intention, live debt free and live small. The home is welcoming, bright and efficient. Budget design choices and DIY projects were used throughout the design process. The first floor consists of an open layout that combines the dining, living and kitchen areas. A hallway leads to a bathroom and master bedroom. Upstairs is a loft that functions as the shared bedroom of the three boys. Let's take a peek! Get the full tour here.

Located in the English countryside, just two hours from London, is the charming Tickety-Boo cabin. Tickety-boo is an old British saying meaning everything is in good order, or just fine. And it certainly seems like a fine place to stay - the home is available as a vacation rental through Unique Home Stays. The style of the cabin both inside and out is country yet contemporary. Natural wood elements and rustic accessories are combined with modern furniture and layers of soft textiles. The result is a casual and welcoming atmosphere, but one that is clean and sleek at the same time. Take a look around in the full tour below. You'll agree that when it comes to this little cottage, everything is tickety-boo! Get the full tour here.

Bryan and Catherine are a husband and wife home renovation team located in Columbus, OH. They're the creators of Beginning in the Middle, a blog dedicated to sharing their remodeling adventures and DIY projects. The couple's latest project, The Chesterfield Cottage, is a navy blue charmer built in the 1950s. The home went through an extensive renovation process, and the results are nothing short of stunning. Every detail is perfection from the herringbone floors in the kitchen to the exposed beams in the attic bedroom. The house is about 1,000 square feet but feels much bigger thanks to thoughtful design choices. Get the full tour here.

This charming cottage of only 540 square feet is located on Sauvie Island, an agricultural island 15 minutes north of Portland. The house has an interesting past; it was originally built in the 1940s as a dwelling for shipyard workers. The current owners purchased the property in 2008 and remodeled it using reclaimed materials. The result is a gorgeous, efficient, and unique home for their young family. The tiny size of the cottage doesn’t stop the family from hosting visitors. This is according to the website of the home’s interior designer, Jessica Helgerson Interior Design: “Despite its size, the house is welcoming and comfortable and nearly every weekend it is full of family and friends coming from Portland to enjoy a day in the countryside.” Get the full tour here.

If you've every dreamed of owning a beach cottage, this bright and beautiful home is probably exactly what you had in mind. Designed by Mitch Wise Design, the decor melds traditional and contemporary styles; making for a comfortable yet polished space. The home features hardwood floors, planked walls, and neutral furniture - a simple look to emulate in your own home! Get the full tour here.

This welcoming 1946 beach cottage in Laguna Beach cottage was a complete "down to the studs" remodel. Refurbished items and antiques from the same time period were used in restoring the house. The care and attention to detail is apparent in every nook and cranny of the 950 square foot home. Get the full home tour here.