Redefining Cottage Living
For decades, cottage country was defined by weekends – Friday night drives, quick dips in the water, and Sunday afternoon pack-ups. Today, that rhythm has shifted. More homeowners in the Peterborough and Kawarthas region are reimagining their cottages not as temporary escapes, but as places designed for longer stays, deeper comfort, and even year-round living.
This evolution has changed the way we approach design in cottage country, and will continue to shape the wants and needs of those shifting into considering spending more time in our beloved backyard.
The modern cottage owner still wants the feeling of escape – but with the functionality, durability, and refinement of a primary residence. It’s no longer about rustic charm alone. It’s about balance.
Designing for longer stays
When a space is only used occasionally, design decisions tend to prioritize novelty. But when clients begin spending weeks – or entire seasons – at their cottage, the focus naturally shifts to livability and longevity. Kitchens need to function for real cooking, not just casual meals (mostly reliant on the BBQ perhaps). Seating must support long conversations, quieter days and cozy evenings. Storage becomes essential, not optional. We often start by asking different questions: How does this home feel on a rainy November afternoon? Where do people naturally gather once the sun goes down? What makes everyday routines feel effortless? How do we keep the comfort of cottage life accessible all year round?
These answers guide layouts, furniture selections, and material choices that support comfort without sacrificing style.
The rise of refined, relaxed interiors
As cottages continue to become more frequently used, with many turning into full time homes, interiors are moving away from overtly themed or seasonal looks. Instead, clients are drawn to palettes, textures, and timeless materials that feel appropriate in every season.
Natural stone, warm woods, tailored upholstery, and thoughtful lighting play a key role. Rather than leaning heavily on “cottage” motifs, design becomes quieter and more intentional – spaces that feel grounded in their surroundings without being defined by clichés.
The goal is not to replicate a city home, but to elevate the cottage experience through restraint and clarity.
Spaces designed for serenity & soirées
One of the most noticeable shifts in weekend-escape design is how homes support both connection and privacy. Open-concept living areas remain popular, but we are seeing a shift in a return of home designs that optimize smaller moments: pantries, reading nooks, secondary lounges, well-considered guest rooms.
As cottages host longer visits from family and friends, thoughtful zoning allows everyone to feel comfortable. A well-designed cottage now supports lively gatherings and peaceful solitude (for both guest and host!) in equal measure.
Designing beyond the season
This winter issue is a reminder that some of the most meaningful cottage moments happen off-season – when the lake is frozen, the fire is lit, and the pace slows. Designing for year-round use means considering warmth, lighting, acoustics, and materials that perform beautifully long after summer ends. When design supports these quieter months, the cottage becomes more than a destination. It becomes a retreat in the truest sense.
A new chapter for cottage living
The transition from weekend escape to forever retreat reflects more than a design trend – it reflects a lifestyle change. Homeowners are investing not just in spaces, but in how they want to live.
Thoughtful interior design helps bridge that shift, ensuring that cottages feel as welcoming on a winter evening as they do on a summer morning. And when done well, the result is a home that doesn’t ask you to leave so soon.
Birchview Design Inc. is an award-winning interior design team serving clientele throughout the Kawartha Lakes, GTA, and beyond. As a full-service studio, the firm offers an all-inclusive, simplified experience with elevated design expertise and Renomark-certified project management.
www.birchviewdesign.com / @birchviewdesign
Classic Luxe Project: design & project management: Birchview Design
Hamptons Retreat Project: design: Birchview Design,
build: Four Points Construction @fourpointsconstruction
Photo Credit: @flashadams
