Moving to your cottage? Let’s chat about it.
Jul 04, 2025
It's time for an update. When you think cottage, you think hand-me-downs, second-hand, and randomly acquired accoutrements. When relocating to your cottage, the biggest transition from cottage to home is moving away from overflow blankets, recycled decor and furniture to new furniture, new decor, and definitely new bedding and throws.
Bigger updates are more like upgrades. That old floral wallpaper that has been there since the 60s, the kitchen cabinetry that is partially falling apart, and the shower in the bathroom that feels like a coffin. These are upgrades that will happen overtime, but prioritizing primary, everyday use areas will help to make your cottage feel more like home. Think beautiful and functional. This is important for both a kitchen that makes hosting and everyday cooking easier, and a bathroom that ages with you. When considering your first or next renovation, especially for retirement planning, renovations that are aging in place compliant can help prevent modifications down the line, and may even qualify for grants and funding.
Decor, decor, decor…
It’s time we have a difficult conversation, and we say this with love. It’s time to retire that cottage-inspired word art. This includes, but is most certainly not limited to “Life is better at the lake,” “Lake House,” “Lake Vibes,” and we cannot forget “What happens at the lake, stays at the lake.” With art in mind, the laminated map of your lake system is no longer art. Your cottage is now your home, updating the decor will allow you to make your cottage more homey while still maintaining that Canadiana feel. This can be done through colour, texture, and art pieces that bring that outdoors inside feeling while elevating the space and comfort.
Being mindful of use: Materials
You might be permanently relocating to your cottage, but that doesn’t mean you can treat this the same as your downtown house. Chances are, your kids, grandkids, friends, and their pets will be visiting, especially in the summer. You might be here full-time, but that luxurious silk or viscous rug you love so much will NOT win the battle against sandy toes, muddy paws, and anything else that will be tracked in. So, considering indoor-outdoor materials will increase the lifespan of your furniture and decor. When considering fabrics, a UV-protected fabric is usually a good investment with the amount of natural lighting cottages have.
So what’s the big take away here? Your cottage might now be your home, but, it still needs to reflect a lakeside lifestyle.
