400 Square Foot Tiny Cottage in Summer (and a few take away tips for maximizing small spaces!)

400 Square Foot Tiny Cottage in Summer (and a few take away tips for maximizing small spaces!)


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It’s been awhile since we’ve shared a Tiny Cottage update, so I thought I would show you how adorable it still is :). My mom said it was okay to take some pics, so since I was there the other day taking photos in the Tiny Kitchen for this post, I jumped at the chance to give you a little peek around.

By the way, you’ll find lots of the sources (and similar pieces) from the Tiny Cottage throughout, as well as at the bottom of this post!

The Tiny Cottage (attached to our home) just keeps getting cozier and more personalized as my parents have lived in it, as all homes should!

I really love all of thoughtful little details in the Tiny Cottage. Not just the charming architecture, colors and finishes, which I love, but the meaningful touches that make it theirs.

White bench with books on it

With a Tiny Cottage (400 square feet!) every inch counts, so it’s fun to see how my mom makes it work for them and makes it so cute all at the same time.

There’s no room for “things” that don’t add something important to their life, so each piece earns its keep—by how it functions or by the joy it brings to their everyday experience. They’ve collected such a happy mix of simple pleasures and meaningful memories.

I remember when I asked my mom if this Tiny Cottage would really be enough, she simply said, “What more do we need?” And she was right.

Even though a tiny house isn’t always easy to “fit into”—and it definitely requires intention behind every decision—creating a lovely home of any size is really about finding peace and contentment with what matters in this season of life.

This mindset is one we wholeheartedly embrace as HomeBodies in HomeBody Gathering Place, too. We’re all about creating soul-filled homes with more ease and intention. It’s not about the size of the house or having the perfect space. It’s about learning to love the one you have and the tiny acts of care that make it your own.

I’ll point out a few more recent updates and other little moments around the Tiny Cottage along with some take away tips for maximizing small spaces!

My mom loves plants and has always had a green thumb, as did her mom! I unfortunately did not get the green thumb gene ha! I try though and love it, too. Perhaps in my retirement years I’ll devote more of my time to gardening.

I love how she’s been using some of the window sills as a Tiny Indoor Garden!

If you are building a smaller home, remember to add deeper window sills. You will not regret it if you need more space to grow plants or display. Every inch counts so deeper sills also create the illusion of more space, whether you use them or not!

Hydrangea Art Card // Timeless Book // (see similar frames at end of post)

They recently added these bookcases / benches to either side of their fireplace. Home takes time and they realized they missed having a place for books and surfaces for plants, frames or treasures, so these are PERFECT for their needs. Plus they can move them around if they need additional seating.

Had to laugh about this…. just noticed there’s a little caterpillar crawling outside the window. Ha!

Fireplace: Jotul

Remember when I gave my mom our couch around Christmas time? Now their wicker one is outside on the Tiny Deck (and it looks SO cute out there. Stay tuned–I will get photos of outside progress to share, too) and the leather is so cozy in here! We are always playing musical furniture in our family so you never know where things will turn up next.

Chandelier

My dad has been buying my mom darling little handmade quilling cards (like for Mother’s Day and holidays) that they started framing by their door. I just love art that tells a story.

I found the art cards on Etsy here (she has this adirondack card, this beach house, and these tulips. Some are available on Amazon here as well.

She also got these cute blue and white checkered throws, I love them on the back of the wicker chairs! I might need to get a couple of those myself.

Sources: boat // mouse night light // similar smaller bird wall plate (see more at the end of this post)

My dad has his own little trinkets and gifts sprinkled around the Tiny Cottage. A Tiny Cottage mouse night light riding in a boat is a favorite practical and meaningful addition!

My mom is often moving things around to find just the right spot, I got them this darling “fish” apron at a local gift shop for Christmas and it looks so cute hanging on the wall! Double duty is the way to go in a smaller space. Practical and art at the same time!

Wall vase is currently out of stock but it’s this brand

This beautiful plate was a gift my mom’s mom gave her at their wedding!

Blue and white tile // toaster oven // espresso machine

This cabinet and counter still works great as an extension of their Tiny Kitchen. If you need to leave appliances in view, just make them attractive! They have such a pretty espresso machine.

Love their TV, too, you can change the art on it anytime so it looks more like a painting than a black hole!

They still love their Tiny Oven!

Mom mom also really enjoys her kitchen display shelves! It’s a mix of every day items that look so cute together along with special pieces they’ve collected over the years.

I found several similar blue and white canisters below in the source list–some of hers were collected years ago from Italy!

Pitcher and Bowl + Blue Tile Sources

Thanks for stopping by Tiny Cottage for an early summer visit! Stay tuned for a visit to the Tiny Backyard!

Click here for above sources

Languid Blue Sherwin-Williams cabinet paint color

Beadboard walls

Butcher block countertops

Floors (same as ours, European white oak)

Oven with Air Fryer

Automatic Espresso Machine

Classic Retro White Fridge and Freezer

Faucet

Under Mount Bar Sink

Electric Cooktop

Blue and White Square Tile (they got theirs here but it appears to be a better price HERE).

Ceramic wall subway tile (they got theirs here but it appears to be a better price HERE), 

Classic Retro Under Cabinet Range Hood

Sources for above:

Wood Bead Flush Mount Light /// Antique White Chandelier (color options) /// Braided Rug (it was hanging out to dry but it is usually in their entry) (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

More sources (click images below for details):

See More posts about the Tiny Cottage:

Spring in the Tiny Cottage: A Reflection on Having Less in a Cottage by the Sea

The 400 Square Foot Tiny Cottage Tour at Christmas

See ALL posts on the Tiny Cottage (including the remodel process) here.

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