Welcome to the Tiny Cottage (the 400 square foot tiny cottage addition that was added to our home for my parents)! After sharing the empty tour, I promised you another tour once they got settled in! I’m so excited to be back again today to share the Tiny Cottage with you.
As all homes tend to do, I’m sure their 400 square foot tiny cottage will continue to evolve with their needs, but I am in awe of how personal, adorable and functional it is for them already! They planned so many details in advance and found clever ways to maximize such a small footprint without sacrificing their style or comfort. In fact, we had family gathered there for a movie night and it was comfortable for everyone! It’s not just a space for two, it’s designed for family!
How precious is it with their cozy Christmas and winter touches? I love how festive and merry it feels, yet it’s also spacious and comfortable at the same time.
I will have future additional posts highlighting specific details about the Tiny Cottage. In fact, I will ask my parents to share their tips and ideas for storage, function and style a tiny space!
And I want them to pose for a photo, too :). They look so cute in the Tiny Cottage!
Today I am thrilled to share the Tiny Cottage at Christmas.
Enjoy the tour photos below, and feel free to leave a comment or question for my parents to read! :)
Watch a VIDEO tour below!
- You can read all about the story of the Tiny Cottage and find more details in the empty tour post.
- You will find a SOURCE LIST at the end of today’s post (some items are antiques or collected over time but I’ll add what I can find!)
We didn’t snap photos of the bathroom/laundry this time, but you can see that space in the empty tour HERE!
Sources for above:
Wood Bead Flush Mount Light /// Antique White Chandelier (color options) /// Braided Rug (size, shape, color options) /// 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 Dawn to Dusk Sconce Light /// Blue and White Reversible Cross Throw Blanket /// White Toaster Oven + Air Fryer /// White Espresso Machine /// White Retro Fridge
Entry and Sitting Room Sources:
White Porch Light (Dawn to Dusk)
Fireplace: Jotul Brand in Sky Blue
Chairs / Table / Sofa: Home Depot Hampton Bay (exact style appears unavailable but that is the brand)
Christmas Wreath with Battery Candle
Blue and White Checkered Tile on cabinet top (they got theirs here but it appears to be a better deal HERE).
Bedroom Sources:
White Wood Bead Semi Flush Mount Chandelier
Blue and White Reversible Blankets
Ruffle Blankets at End of Beds
Kitchen Sources:
Copper Handle on Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Blue Subway Tile (they got theirs here but it appears to be a better deal HERE)
Copper Wall Mount Paper Towel Holder
Espresso Machine White and Copper
Paint Colors and Floors:
Walls: Simply White
Kitchen Cabinets: Languid Blue Sherwin Williams
Floors: European White Oak (We got it locally through a flooring shop, unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a link to it nor find a brand name online to share it but it’s European white oak, engineered wood! It had a matte feel and finish so it has a nice casual / beachy feel).
Bathroom / Laundry Sources:
Bathroom Faucet in Brushed Nickel
Subway Tile in Bathroom (Ours was called Arctic White #0190 but there’s a similar color)
Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light and Heat
Bathroom Medicine Cabinet with Light and Defogger
Find lots of the Tiny Cottage sources in my Amazon folder HERE.
See all of our previous posts about the remodel HERE.
Read whole story of how we decided to move to this house with my parents here!
What a beautiful and inspiring space. It really packs so much style in a small footprint. Thank you and your parents for sharing!
This is beyond charming and so welcoming. As a senior myself, I could easily live in this well-thought-out space. Thank you for sharing.
Karen B.
Thank you, yes it’s wonderful for them to have everything they need right there as well as our home through the door and a small yard and deck to enjoy!
Hi Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins,
Cynthia from Fullerton here.
I love everything about your tiny home! What a wonderful blessing for your senior years.
This is truly adorable! It has so much charm and style. What a beautiful and efficient home to nest in. Congratulations to your parents and your family!
Beautiful! Is the fireplace a custom color? I am only seeing it in white or black on their website. Gas’s I assume? Thank you!
i love it and it’s ideal for me at 77
Absolutely charming and beautifully decorated… what a wonderful place !
Just beautiful – love everything about this!
Absolutely Charming! Thanks for sharing during the holidays.
The cottage is beautiful!! I especially liked the kitchen area. The backsplash is gorgeous!! Love the retro fridge too! And all the windows! Such a cute cottage! Well done!
It’s the cutest! Thank you!
Love this for your parents. So cozy. I see a couple of sconces but no lamps. Is this a safety issue or something new Im not familiar with?
Good question! In a small space, lamps take up a lot of room and cords can also be hassle. I will ask her if she has any plan to add floor lamps, but I think it’s pretty nicely lit and evenly bright in there now so a lamp may not be needed. They use kindles for reading or small book reading lights would be an option too!
This is adorable inside and out. Well thought out,lacks nothing. Cozy yet prestige in cleanliness!
I am so in love with this sweet cottage. So so perfect!
☺️ me too!! I think it is just so precious! Thank you!!
This is one of the prettiest little cottages I’ve ever seen.
Your parents must be so happy with there new place
Enjoy them. Merry Christmas
Thank you, it truly is a delightful home — I’m so happy for them that they finally get to enjoy it!!
Just as cute as can be. What a perfect and cozy tiny cottage filled with charm. I love how your mom made a defined entry area with the braided rug and hooks by the door in the smallest of space..it’s so welcoming. 💙🤍🏡
Thank you so much! She truly is such a smart and clever designer of beautiful spaces, I love her small home ideas!
What a cozy, happy dwelling space!
Your folks’ home is so enchanting. I also love the backsplash. Your parents did a fantastic job. Now I see where you got your design talent, Melissa ;)
Aw thank you, I learned from the best! 🥰
That is so kind, thank you Linda!
I’m curious if both your parents keep all their clothing in the armoire or if they have other storage somewhere?
Also, I don’t see any window treatments, except the shutters at the bedroom window. I realize it’s in your gated backyard but don’t they need them for temperature control?
They’ve simplified their clothing and love not having so much! I can have them address this and how and where they store them in a future post! She may get blinds in the future but their home is very energy efficient and cozy!
So kind of you to share your beautiful space!! Our family of four lived in 600 square feet for ten years. Our home was functional, but not as adorable 🥰 I can see where Melissa gets her wonderful style from.
So kind of you to share your beautiful space!! Our family of four lived in 600 square feet for ten years. Our home was functional, but not as adorable 🥰 I can see where Melissa gets her wonderful style from.
Thank you Sally! That’s amazing! I think moving to a tiny space like this is something many people can’t imagine doing but when you put your mind to it, you truly can have what you need. It’s all the other stuff we grow so attached to or think we “must” have that you have to let go of, as I’m sure you experienced!
Lucky family to have each other.
So like the back splash in th kitchen.
Is there lighting over the beds?
Sconces?
Thank you for inviting us in!
Such a sweet, lovely cottage! Thanks so much for sharing your home – you have many admirers waiting to see your beautiful home. I’ve never built a home from scratch – only remodeled several – so I can’t imagine all the decisions you had to make and in such a small cottage; you had to be well organized to fit it all together and make it work for you and so that your family would be able to enjoy visiting. :)
Love that you’re sharing your property with your parents. Kudos to you.
still in love with the kitchen back splash tile and the deep window sills are brilliant for display space. Are there built in lamps by the beds for reading in bed? Also love the added height to the privacy grid/fence on the neighbor side of the deck.
This is the CUTEST cottage & so functional! I love all the special touches your parents put in this space! I would be perfectly comfortable & happy living there myself! 😊
Love every inch of this cozy little cottage! The red accents are outstanding for Christmas time! My favorite is the Armoire between your beds! Hope you are settleing in well! Happy Holidays!
Adorable, I know they will love living here.
I thought that our little 998 square foot cottage was small to raise our son in but this is smaller and so cute!!
Absolutely beautiful and amazing! I love the wall plate with the bird, among a lot of other things! It reminds me of the Pa Dutch patterns that are popular here in PA. Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you, so kind of you. She has some beautiful collections! Merry Christmas!
This is a lovely space. I may have missed something, but is there a place to sit down to eat a meal?
Thank you, yes there are tables that fold up if they want to free space when not in use!
So cute and cozy!! A perfect place for your parents. And the views out the windows looking at the gardens will be so nice in warmer weather.
Thank you! We can’t wait for spring, they started working on the garden this fall so we are excited to get back to it! I love their windows so they can enjoy the whole backyard!
The Cottage is absolutly Charming! Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.
Love love love this space! Please tell me about that fireplace. I love that you didn’t need to use tiles all around it. I have a small spot that I would love to use one like that in.
Isn’t it neat? The brand is Jotul, I think it’s Norwegian although also made in Maine? This is the website! https://www.jotul.com/
Hi.
It is such a geogious space.
I love every parts of it.
The decor is super
It is beyond charming. I love how every square inch has been so well thought out and love all the inset cubby holes. The nickel gap planking adds character, the partially vaulted ceiling gives a feeling of spaciousness while the dropped ceiling over the beds adds coziness. All of the details are so well curated, and I love the color scheme – perfect for the coast. The outside area looks inviting and I know will provide lots of pleasure in warmer months. So wonderful that they can be close but in their own space as well. I’m sure this will serve as inspiration to many who are considering combining households or are considering accessory dwelling units. As I have been designing our 410 sf bed/bath addition, which is under construction now, I have followed along on this project eagerly. This as well as your kitchen/dining remodel are a great testament to how you can make your space work better for you while adding charm and character. So well done!
Thank you so much, Carolyn! I appreciate that you took the time to follow along and noticed so many of the details that went into this special space.
It began in my mind as simply a bedroom / bathroom addition but the way they arranged it for themselves day to day has turned it into a flexible space which also has come in handy for gathering extended family during the holidays, too! With our small home, that was an unexpected bonus!
We are so thrilled with the renovation and know they’ll enjoy living here! Enjoy your new room, it’s so fun to make a house work better for us in big or small ways! Thank you for following along.
Melissa, you are an absolute genius! How I wish you were my daughter! This is absolutely gorgeous in it’s detailed perfection!