It is about that time of year. The weather is cooling down and the leaves are changing color. Fall and winter is the perfect time of year to rent out a vacation home and watch the seasons change. Whether that be a cabin, a cottage, or a chalet, your experience will be grand nonetheless. But, what is a cabin? What is the difference between the three? They are all wonderful options, however, they carry different qualities and aesthetics that you may want to consider for your next trip.
What is a Cabin?
Well, let us start with the cabin. Cabins are quite popular and I am sure we have heard of them before. Especially log cabins, but there is more to it than that. Cabins are small shelters or houses in a pretty remote area. Rustic cabins originally were small shelters usually built by the same person who planned on dwelling inside the home.
They were, as I mentioned, made out of wood or logs. Today, there is a lot more variety. Now, cabins can be made in any size, and you don’t have to build them yourself. You can either buy one to have for your yearly vacations or rent them out for a shorter amount of time. So long as the “cabin” has a rustic feel and is in a very remote area, like in a forest on a lake, then in today’s perspective, it is a cabin.
Cabin Alternatives:
Things have changed greatly today since even a hundred years ago. And the materials to make cabins have changed as well. You will still find many traditional cabins made of wood and other more natural elements today. However, there are other options now as well. Take shipping containers for example. Not only are architects designing shipping container houses and apartments, but cabins as well. Shipping container cabins are made from very durable and strong steel.
These new cabins are also very eco-friendly. They are being repurposed instead of being left to slowly degrade in a trash pile somewhere. Most importantly, shipping containers make for a much cheaper material than wood. It would cost less and would be easier to build a shipping container cabin than a traditional log cabin. But, if you are just renting out a cabin, then that won’t be much of an issue for you. All in all, shipping container cabins are a great alternative to those looking for a more modern approach to the old rustic look of a wooden cabin.
Cottages
Cottages, like cabins, are dwellings that are smaller than houses. The difference, however, is that cottages are designed to feel cozier in a more rural setting. People want to take a break from their lives and go somewhere just to relax. That is what cottages are for. Usually, they are in a space surrounded by nature. People who are renting out a cottage can enjoy time to themselves in a very cozy and still homey atmosphere.
Cottages are usually built in the countryside by materials found in that area. They can be made from materials such as stone, brick, or wood. Cottages do have their own kind of architectural style or aesthetic that makes them rather popular. You can find them not only in the countryside but in more populous areas as well. You can definitely see the influence of their style in some suburban neighborhoods or homes in the city.
Chalets
Originating in Switzerland’s Swiss Alps, chalets are the small wooden farmhouses of that region. Chalets have short walls, but large roofs where much of the space comes from. Chalets are popularly known for their eaves, the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall. They are very wide and are larger than the typical eaves you would find on a house. These types of vacation or holiday homes are pretty easy to distinguish from the other houses mentioned. They are generally only found in the Swiss Alps and have a pretty unique architectural style.
Conclusion
Since a house is just a space that people live in, then cabins, cottages, and chalets are all just different types of houses. Depending on where you might be staying and what you are looking for in a vacation, either of these holiday options can work for you. If you are looking to spend time away from anything and everything, and enjoy what nature has to offer you, then a cabin may be your best bet.
For a more relaxing home away from home getaway, cottages will provide for all of your cozy and dreamy needs. Spend some time out in the country, relax by the fire or even in a hot tub, and enjoy the cottage life. On the other hand, you can spend time in the cold Alpine regions, whether to enjoy the breathtaking scenery or to go skiing. Chalets will keep you warm and keep the snow from piling on.
Let us know in the comments below if you have stayed in any of these small holiday homes. We’d love to know about your experience. And be sure to join the Survival Tech Shop for all of your travel and outdoor needs!