The Tiny Cottage is finished—the main construction is complete, though a few exterior details remain. My parents have moved in (so exciting!), but before they settled I took some quick photos to show how charming the space looks empty. If you love this cottage as much as I do, don’t worry: my mom has agreed to let me share more photos as she decorates, so you’ll see it again soon.
This Tiny Cottage is attached to our home and can be accessed from the mudroom or garage, but it functions as a self-contained home. At about 400 square feet, it includes a separate exterior entrance, a sweet kitchenette, a bathroom with laundry, a bed nook, a sitting area, plus an outdoor deck and garden.
It’s absolutely adorable—see for yourself in the photos.
Designed for my parents to live in full time while still being part of the main house, the cottage offers the best of both worlds. It’s a versatile space that can serve family needs for years. We like to joke that we live in our vacation home: while this is our primary residence, the nearby beach makes it feel like vacation every day.
Watch a VIDEO of the Tiny Cottage here!
The sitting area, with its peaked ceiling, chandelier, white planked walls and a charming blue fireplace, is cozy and inviting year-round. Natural light fills the room and the view of the trees is lovely; in winter, even brief snow will make the windows feel magical. Soon there will be plants and outdoor furnishings to complete the look.
A custom built-in cabinet in the sitting room complements the kitchenette. My parents designed it for extra storage and to serve as a coffee station and appliance spot. It includes a tiled top and a place for a television above—small space planning done right.
The kitchenette tucked into the cottage is a delightful surprise—bright and airy with windows that look out to the garden. The cottage style is evident in the vintage-inspired appliances, blue cabinets, copper hardware, tile details, display shelves, deep windowsills and plant nooks. It’s going to be beautiful once my mom finishes decorating.
The bathroom and laundry share a well-designed space, featuring a compact washer/dryer combo and useful storage—an ideal setup for small home living.
A fun detail: the subway tile in the bathroom matches the tile we used in our previous kitchen. They used leftover tile and added more to complete the look, giving the bathroom a familiar, timeless feel.
The medicine cabinet includes interior and exterior lighting and a defogger, and the ceiling exhaust fan has a heat light to keep the room comfortable on chilly days.
My mom swapped the vanity knobs for white ceramic knobs, a small touch that adds charm and personality. Some photos in this gallery were taken before that update.
The bed nook required careful planning to fit comfortably in the available space. My parents designed it with room for a bed and the addition of freestanding cabinets for storage. The result is cozy and efficient.
Thanks for taking a peek inside the Tiny Cottage. I’ll share more photos once my parents are settled and the decorating is underway.
UPDATE: You can now see the Tiny Cottage furnished in a follow-up post.
Kitchen Sources:
White retro range hood
White retro fridge/freezer
Copper cabinet handles and knobs
Undermount bar sink and white ceramic cooktop
Blue subway tile and a wall-mount paper towel holder
Vintage-style espresso machine and toaster oven
Bathroom / Laundry Sources:
Brushed nickel faucet, white onion light, subway tile, compact washer/dryer combo, white cabinet knobs, toilet, exhaust fan with heat and a medicine cabinet with defogger
Sitting Room and Bedroom Sources:
Chandeliers, a Jotul fireplace in sky blue and checkered tile accents on the built-in cabinet
Paint Colors and Floors:
Walls: Simply White
Kitchen Cabinets: Languid Blue (Sherwin-Williams)
Floors: European white oak engineered wood with a matte finish for a casual, beachy feel
A white porch light marks the exterior entry. I’ll continue to share sources and updates as the cottage comes to life.