Welcome to the Tiny Cottage — a charming 400 square foot addition we built for my parents. After sharing the empty cottage tour, I promised to return with a peek at the space once they were settled. I’m delighted to share how cozy, practical and personal the cottage feels now that it’s lived in.
Though any home evolves over time, this tiny cottage already demonstrates thoughtful planning and smart use of space. My parents prioritized function and comfort while keeping a warm, coastal-inspired style. Despite the small footprint, the cottage easily hosted family movie night — it’s designed for two, but made to welcome family and friends.
The holiday touches make it especially sweet — warm, festive and inviting without feeling cramped.
I’ll be sharing more posts that highlight specific storage solutions, layout ideas and styling tips from my parents. They’ve found simple, effective ways to maximize every inch, and I’ll ask them to share those ideas soon. I also hope to get a photo of them in the cottage because they look so happy there.
Today’s post focuses on the Tiny Cottage at Christmas. Enjoy the photos below and please leave any questions or comments for my parents — they’d love to read them.
Watch a video tour below!
- Read the story of the Tiny Cottage and see more details in the empty tour post.
- A source list appears at the end of this post. Some pieces are vintage or collected over time; I’ve listed what I could find.
We didn’t photograph the bathroom and laundry during this visit, but those spaces are shown in the empty tour if you’d like to see the layout and finishes.
Update: you can also see the Tiny Cottage decorated for spring in a separate post.
Sources for items shown above:
Wood Bead Flush Mount Light /// Antique White Chandelier /// Braided Rug /// Quilted Ruffle Throw Blanket /// “Post Box” Wall Planter /// Blue and White Checkered Tile /// Blue Subway Tile /// White Tea Kettle /// Wood Tray TV Table /// White Outdoor Sconce Light /// Blue and White Reversible Throw Blanket /// White Toaster Oven + Air Fryer /// White Espresso Machine /// White Retro Fridge
Entry and Sitting Room
White Porch Light (Dawn to Dusk) // Chandelier (Antique White) // Round Braided Rug // Fireplace: Jotul in Sky Blue // Chairs/Table/Sofa: Home Depot Hampton Bay // Christmas Wreath with Battery Candle
Bedroom
White Wood Bead Semi Flush Mount Chandelier // Blue and White Reversible Blankets // Ruffle Blankets at the End of Beds
Kitchen
White Retro Range Hood // White Retro Fridge // Copper Handles and Knobs // Undermount Bar Sink // White Ceramic Cooktop // White Kettle // Blue Subway Tile // Toaster Oven with Air Fryer // Espresso Machine // Wood Folding TV Table
Paint and Flooring
Walls: Simply White // Kitchen Cabinets: Languid Blue (Sherwin Williams) // Floors: European white oak engineered wood with a matte finish for a relaxed, beachy look
Bathroom & Laundry
Bathroom faucet in brushed nickel // White onion light // Subway tile (Arctic White) // Washer/dryer combo // White cabinet knobs // Medicine cabinet with light and defogger // Exhaust fan with heat
Many of the Tiny Cottage sources are collected in my Amazon folder and in other source lists I’ve shared. See previous posts about the remodel for more details and the story of how this cottage came to be.
Thank you for visiting the Tiny Cottage at Christmas — I hope the tour inspires ideas for cozy, efficient and inviting small-space living.