Sarah Richardson’s 10 Best Cottage Tips

If you’re looking to add cottagey charm to a room reach for items you find in an antique store. This, as Sarah notes, will add character and warmth to any space, and will likely cost less than newer items you source.

Want to sit outside but can’t handle the bugs? A screened in porch is the perfect way to bring the outdoors in. You can sit and watch the sunset (or rise!) and enjoy family time while not worrying about those pesky mosquitoes.

Sarah even kept the glass from the old bathroom cabinets to make new, gorgeous open shelving. She then added some antique metal baskets under the vanity for extra storage.

Watch this room’s makeover here.

And before long, the small bathroom was transformed into a beautiful bathroom, thanks to the power of paint.

It’s the cottage kitchen of everyone’s dreams.

Watch this room’s makeover here.

Sarah was sure to ask herself: “Would I want to dine at that table?” After the makeover, she can happily answer yes.

Because cottages are part-time homes, it’s unnecessary to add storage space in the form of big dressers or armoires. Look for beds that are a bit more dual-use, like ones that have built-in drawers or trundles.

Alexander built a solar shed to serve most of the cottage’s energy needs.

Watch the makeover here.

To reduce the amount of heat that drips through an east-facing window, think about shrinking its size. Because so much light filters into the room, it will still be bright, but you’ll end up reducing its temperature. Also be sure to invest in room-darkening drapes.

Make the most of the spectacular views in cottage country by placing furniture near windows and doors that let in natural light. If you can invest in creating an outdoor patio space or a green room, that will also give you a front row seat to summer sunrises and sunsets.