summer cottage
Lakeside vacation home
A summer cottage is a small house used for seasonal recreation, typically located near water, in the woods, or in other rural settings away from one's primary residence.
The term suggests something modest and rustic rather than grand—more cabin than mansion.
Families might spend summers at their cottage, closing it up for winter: We're heading to the cottage this weekend.
In some regions, cottage alone carries this meaning.
Mooring structure at water's edge
- pierWaterfront landing structure
- canoeSlender paddled vessel
- kayakEnclosed single-person watercraft
- rowboatOar-propelled small vessel
sailboat · paddleboard · waterski · fishing · swimming · loons · dragonflies · reeds
Simple wooden dwelling
- bungalowOne-story house with porch
- chaletWooden mountain cottage
- lakehouseHome on lake's edge
- boathouseWaterfront vessel shelter
A-frame · lodge · shack · camp · dacha · guesthouse · getaway home · weekend house
Hanging fabric bed
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
- bonfireLarge outdoor fire
- campfireOutdoor fire for gathering
- picnicOutdoor casual meal
porch · deck · games · reading · birdwatching · stargazing · gardening · berry-picking
Flight from captivity
- getawaySwift departure or retreat
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- havenShelter from danger
- respiteShort pause from hardship
seclusion · solitude · peace · tranquility · quietude · refuge · unplugging · relaxation
Lack of complexity
- unpluggedDisconnected from power
- woodstoveEnclosed firebox for heating
- keroseneFlammable petroleum distillate
- outhouseDetached backyard toilet
well water · handpump · knotty pine · quilts · weathered · screened porch · creaky floors · vintage
dock
Mooring structure at water's edge
rowboat · sailboat · paddleboard · waterski · fishing · swimming · loons · dragonflies · reeds · lilypads
cabin
Simple wooden dwelling
boathouse · A-frame · lodge · shack · camp · dacha · guesthouse · getaway home · weekend house · country house
hammock
Hanging fabric bed
picnic · porch · deck · games · reading · birdwatching · stargazing · gardening · berry-picking · swimming
escape
Flight from captivity
respite · seclusion · solitude · peace · tranquility · quietude · refuge · unplugging · relaxation · recharge
simplicity
Lack of complexity
- unpluggedDisconnected from power
- woodstoveEnclosed firebox for heating
- keroseneFlammable petroleum distillate
outhouse · well water · handpump · knotty pine · quilts · weathered · screened porch · creaky floors · vintage · antique
- cottagesfarmhouse, bungalow
- rural homesfarmhouse, log cabin, cabin, country house, ranch house
- vacation homesvacation home, holiday villa, lake house, beach house, vacation cabin
- vacation rentalsvacation home, rental home, rental cabin, villa, cabin
- Nordic recreationcross-country skiing, Nordic skiing, sauna culture, saunas, snowshoeing
- Scandinavian lifestylehygge, sauna, Nordic design, northern lights, midnight sun
summer cottageprimary residence
Main place of habitation
permanent home · family home · home base · city apartment · urban dwelling
summer cottagewinter cabin
Seasonal mountain dwelling
ski chalet · ski lodge · winter retreat · ice fishing shack · winter lodge
summer, cottage, summertime, summers, cottages, summery, midsummer, summerhouse, cottager