Get matched with top storm shelter pros in Derma, MS

Increases living space and adds value to the home through enhanced utility.

The term “cottage” is subjective, so there’s no rigid definition, but it generally refers to a small home with simple and purposeful architecture that embraces nature and focuses on charm over everything else. Cottages are typically 1 or 1 1/2-stories tall, usually with gabled roofs, and are built out of natural materials that help make the structure a part of the surrounding nature rather than something that stands out from it. A big part of what makes a cottage a cottage is the decor, which includes natural materials from the nearby area.

Any straightforward rectangular home layout is more uncomplicated than custom rooms, additions, or stylistic features. In stock plans, single-story ranch homes, cape cods, and colonials are common. Layouts with a single roof ridge are easier to build than those with multiple dormers, chimneys, or ridges.

Adding a storm shelter can increase the value of a home if you live in an area prone to intense storms. According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, safe rooms can increase the home's sale price by 3.5%. That’s about $10,500 on a $300,000 home, which could be a 100% ROI or more if you build a storm shelter that’s on the smaller side.