This cottage now has room for everything: overnight guests, tools, and enjoying the shoreline
The new owners of this old cottage wanted to make better use of its spaces and surroundings. New walkways, a new deck, a dock, and a yard cabin now serve that purpose.
Starting point
“This definitely isn’t it—after all, the evening sun doesn’t even shine here,” said Heidi after seeing the place with her husband Arto for the first time in 2005. The lakeside property had a rocky outcrop with a small cottage perched on top. Concrete steps led up to the cottage, and narrow paths went to the outhouse and shed. A small, rickety dock floated on two barrels, and its benches only got sun until early afternoon. The couple wanted a more practical yard, better walkways, and more sleeping space.
Light-colored interiors make the small sleeping cabin feel more spacious.
Work stages
First, Heidi and Arto ordered a prefab sleeping cabin, which they placed below the slope on top of concrete blocks. The cabin has two small rooms, each with a sleeper sofa for two, so it can accommodate four people.
Because the cottage had no proper storage, Heidi came up with the idea of a storage wall. Four lockable, lit cabinets were built onto the back of the cottage to hold tools, the electrical box, and more.
Arto built a deck on the rock, along with wooden walkways connecting the buildings. The deck follows the rock’s shape, resembling a ship’s bow. A black rope threaded between dark wooden posts adds a nautical feel.
“The drop to the yard is quite steep. The rope railing has kept the kids and dogs safe,” Heidi says.
The walkways and deck are made of heat-treated pine. Arto used hidden fasteners, so the screws don’t show on the surface.
Using two dock sections and a walkway, Arto built a longer, wider dock supported by two pontoons.
End result
Now, you can walk barefoot along the wooden walkways from one building to the next. Arto and Heidi’s favorite spot is the dock, which lets them enjoy a couple more hours of evening sun.
Storm damage a few years ago set back yard work and renovations, as clearing took time. Large trees fell on the property, twisting walkways and tipping the outhouse.
Lessons learned from yard work
- “Don’t assume heat-treated pine will last forever outdoors. After fifteen years, the deck and the first walkways are due for replacement. We’re thinking about switching to wood-composite, though Heidi worries it might get too hot in scorching weather.”
- “The worse the condition of wooden structures, the more often you have to oil them. Hidden fasteners prevent moisture from seeping in.”
- “A large deck expands the small cottage’s dining and lounging areas. The highest point on the shoreline rock determined the deck’s shape.”
- “Steel posts were once connected by real hemp rope, but hemp doesn’t hold up outdoors as well as synthetic rope, so we swapped it out.”
- “Clearing debris between deck and walkway boards helps them last longer.”
