Welcome back to the Tiny Cottage in spring. Our last official visit here was at Christmastime, and many of you asked for a return tour to see how the space looks and feels with warmer weather and fresh touches. My parents moved into this tiny home—an addition at the back of our house—after our renovation wrapped up late last summer and into the fall, and living here has been a new, joyful season of making a house into a home.
It’s always interesting to watch a home evolve through the seasons and stages of life.
My mom, like me, enjoys refreshing the house with the seasons—swapping pillows, moving little accents, and bringing in small changes that signal spring. Those simple acts make a place feel cared for and inviting.
My parents designed every inch of their Tiny Cottage by the sea with intention and purpose.
Though construction finished last fall, moving in has been the true beginning of making the space feel lived-in. It’s been nearly three years since our family relocated here and a little over a year since the Tiny Cottage construction began. Many readers have asked about downsizing, multigenerational living, and tiny home logistics—I’ll share more tips and interviews with my parents as we settle in and learn what works best for everyday life here.
Today I’ll share some thoughts on downsizing and photos that capture spring in this charming home.
A source list follows at the end of this post.
We’ve lived in both large and smaller homes, and each has its pros and cons. There isn’t a single perfect solution for everyone, but we chose to downsize intentionally based on how we wanted to spend our time and resources. Our main home is 1,900 square feet; the Tiny Cottage is about 400 square feet. Rather than living apart, we decided to share the property and enjoy close family life together.
A smaller home answered many of the questions we didn’t want to face with a larger property: less maintenance, less expense, less clutter. While a tiny footprint brings limitations, it also creates freedom—encouraging meaningful choices about what to keep and what to let go.
Downsizing can bring simplicity without sacrificing intention. Simple living isn’t always easy, but it becomes a deliberate practice: choosing what serves daily life and what doesn’t. In a smaller space, decisions are necessary and clarifying—often the question becomes “this or that,” and frequently the answer is to pick less. That constraint can be surprisingly liberating, focusing attention on what truly matters.
Less stuff means more room to appreciate the things you keep—beautiful details, meaningful objects, and the people you share the space with. The Tiny Cottage is a place to care for a small yard, nurture plants, welcome grandchildren, and savor life by the sea.
Living small encourages creativity and intentional function. You learn to pare down to essentials and discover what enhances your well-being—sometimes that means less, and sometimes it means choosing a few things that add warmth and meaning. The Tiny Cottage blends collected memories with new moments, and every square inch tells part of that story.
Small details make a big difference. I gave my mom a hanging ceramic wall pocket for Mother’s Day—perfect for fresh flowers or a small arrangement—and she enjoys swapping displays often. My parents also love the digital picture frame we gave them: it takes up little space but fills their days with photos and videos of family milestones, bringing joy and connection into the cottage.
Personal touches—trinkets, night lights, framed art, and small signs—fill the cottage with personality. My dad’s little mouse night light is both practical and charming. A “nap time” sign hangs by the door, and though my dad naps everywhere, it’s a whimsical reminder of the relaxed pace of life here.
Inside the cottage is cozy year-round; now we’re focusing on the outdoors. The backyard landscaping is coming together with window boxes, small bridges for kids and dogs, bubbling fountains, birdhouses, and flagstone paths—creating a secret-garden feel that will mature over time. Every plant starts small and will grow lush with patience and care.
All things worth having take time to grow. Beautiful things can flourish even in the smallest places when given attention and love.
We also had the chance to create a short video in the backyard in partnership with a brand. It was a rare collaboration and a fun way to share a glimpse of family life in the Tiny Cottage on Mother’s Day.
Thank you for following along with our home adventures. We appreciate your interest and support as we continue to settle into this small, meaningful life by the sea.
You can find all previous Tiny Cottage posts in the blog archives for more tours and details.
Entry and Sitting Room Sources:
“Post Box” Wall Planter
White Porch Light (Dawn to Dusk)
Chandelier (Antique White)
Round Braided Rug
Fireplace: Jotul Brand in Sky Blue
Chairs / Table / Sofa: Home Depot Hampton Bay (brand)
Blue and White Checkered Tile on cabinet top
Espresso Machine
Toaster Oven
Frame TV
Leather Chair (swivel at secretary desk)
Digital Picture Frame
Mouse Brass Lamp
Bedroom Sources:
White Wood Bead Semi Flush Mount Chandelier
Ruffle Blankets at End of Beds
Kitchen Sources:
White Retro Range Hood
White Retro Fridge/Freezer
Copper Handles and Knobs on Cabinets
Kitchen Undermount Bar Sink
White Ceramic Cooktop
White Kettle
Kitchen Blue Subway Tile
Copper Wall Mount Paper Towel Holder
Toaster Oven with Air Fryer
Espresso Machine, White and Copper
Wood Folding TV Table
Nap Time Sign
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
Bathroom / Laundry Sources (see those spaces in the empty home tour)
Bathroom Faucet in Brushed Nickel
Bathroom White Onion Light
Subway Tile in Bathroom (Arctic White tone)
Washer/Dryer Combo
White Cabinet Knobs
Toilet
Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light and Heat
Bathroom Medicine Cabinet with Light and Defogger
Find lots of Tiny Cottage sources in the author’s curated shopping folder.
See all previous remodel posts in the blog archives and read the story of how we decided to move with my parents in earlier posts.