The Tiny Cottage is finished — at least the main construction is complete, with some exterior work still to come. My parents have moved in (so exciting!), but before they settled I took a few quick photos so you can see how charming the space looks even empty. If you love it, don’t worry: my mom plans to let me share more photos as they settle in, so this won’t be the last you’ll see.
If you’re new here, the Tiny Cottage is attached to our home with an entry through the mudroom or garage, yet it functions as a fully self-contained unit. At about 400 square feet it truly feels like a tiny home with its own outside entrance, a darling kitchenette, combined bathroom and laundry, a cozy bed nook, sitting area, outdoor deck and garden.
It’s absolutely adorable — you can see that for yourself in the photos.
The Tiny Cottage was designed for my parents to live in full time while still being part of the main house — the best of both worlds. It’s a flexible space that will serve our family in different ways for years to come. We often say we live in our vacation home: although this is our primary residence, being within walking distance of the beach makes everyday life feel like a getaway.
Watch a VIDEO of the Tiny Cottage here!
UPDATE: You can now see the Tiny Cottage furnished in a follow-up post.
The sitting area feels warm and inviting with its peaked ceiling, chandelier, white plank walls and a sweet blue fireplace. Natural light fills the room and the windows frame a lovely view of the trees. In winter, when it snows for the brief season we get, those views will be just as magical. Soon the exterior will have plants and outdoor furniture to complete the space.
One lovely feature of the sitting room is a built-in cabinet my parents designed to supplement the kitchenette. It serves as extra storage, a coffee station for their espresso machine and a spot for a toaster oven. The cabinet has a tiled top and the Frame-style TV will be mounted above it — small space design done right.
The kitchenette is a delightful surprise: light, bright and perfectly cozy, with windows that look over the Tiny Garden and window boxes. My mom chose charming cottage-style details — vintage-inspired appliances, tile backsplash, blue cabinets, copper hardware, open display shelves, deep windowsills and plant nooks. I’m excited to see how she finishes the styling here.
The bathroom and laundry are smartly combined and include a compact washer/dryer combo — a small-space dream — plus practical storage. The subway tile used in the bathroom is the same style we used in our previous gray-and-white kitchen; leftover tile was supplemented to finish the space.
The medicine cabinet includes interior and exterior lighting and an anti-fog feature, and the ceiling exhaust fan has a built-in heat lamp to keep the room cozy in colder months.
My mom swapped the vanity knobs for white ceramic knobs, which looks very cute. Some photos were taken before that switch, so you’ll see both versions.
Designing the bed nook within the compact footprint took careful planning, but the result is a comfortable sleeping area with room for freestanding cabinets to be added. It’s a snug, well-thought-out space.
Thanks for taking a peek inside the Tiny Cottage. I’ll share more photos once my parents are settled in and we’ve finished some exterior details.
Update: The Tiny Cottage is now shown fully furnished in a later post.
Kitchen sources and finishes include:
White retro range hood, white retro fridge/freezer, copper cabinet hardware, ceramic cooktop, undermount bar sink, blue subway tile and butcherblock-style counters.
Bathroom and laundry features include:
Washer/dryer combo, subway tile, brushed nickel faucet, medicine cabinet with light and defogger, and an exhaust fan with heat light for added warmth.
Sitting room and bedroom highlights:
Chandeliers, a Sky Blue Jotul fireplace, built-in storage, and cozy bed nook lighting.
Paint and flooring:
Walls are painted Simply White. Kitchen cabinets are Languid Blue (Sherwin-Williams). Flooring is European white oak engineered wood with a matte finish for a casual, beachy feel.
I’ve compiled many of the Tiny Cottage product sources in an organized folder, and there are previous posts documenting the remodel and our move that provide more background on the project.