Does your beach cottage only tend to get used during the warmer summer weather? Then how about transforming the space to make it usable all year around? Imagine spending Christmas by the seaside, snuggled up by a log fire with the beach just outside the window. What could be more idyllic than that?
Of course, it may take some work to update and transform your beach cottage into a space that’s comfortable and cozy. But it is most definitely doable and much easier than you would think to do.
Install double-glazed windows
Being a beach cottage, the chances are that your holiday home doesn’t have double glazed windows. Why would it, a breeze is nice in the summer months? However, if you want to transform the space into somewhere that can be used all year long, you need to have double glazed windows installed. This will keep the heat in and any wind out, making it a more efficient property to heat.
Assess the heating solutions in place
The first step to working out what heating options are needed is to assess the solutions that are already in place. There may already be central heating installed, for instance, or there may be a log fire in place. Take the heating that’s already in place into account, before working out whether it needs improving on, or if it’s adequate. If you want to update the space, underfloor heating could be a good option to consider. Most heating systems are heated via pipes, that in extremely cold weather can be prone to freezing. Frozen pipes not only prevent you from being able to heat the property, but they can also burst and cause a lot of damage. That’s why it’s worth having heating cables installed to ensure that should the weather get very cold, the pipes won’t freeze up.
Update the decor
Being a holiday cottage, the chances are that the decor is all beachy and summer-related. To make the space feel cozier, you’ll need to update the decor. This doesn’t mean making any major changes, just implementing a few cozy accessories. The best things for doing this are throw pillows, faux fur rugs, and lots of throws dotted around. Scented candles in warming flavors, especially spiced ones, can also help to add coziness to the space. You could even opt to swap the wall art for wintery images that promote feelings of warmth and coziness.
Change the lighting
To give your summer cottage a warmer look and feel, it could be worth changing the lighting. If there are only normal switches, consider replacing them with dimmer ones. That way you can dim the lights to a warm glow, making the space feel cozier and more comfortable. Another option, if you don’t want to add a dimmer switch, is to dot table lamps around. These are ideal for creating a cozy glow.
To transform your summer beach retreat into the perfect place for a winter break, take note of the suggestions above.