Job # 1: Need requirements
Part of the planning process is figuring out how you will live in the space. This is true whether it is a mansion or a one bedroom cabin. Here are some things to consider:
1. How will you entertain -- formal sit down, informal buffet, maybe you won’t...
2. How many people will be using the kitchen at one time and what activities -- two cooks, homework area, bar/espresso area...
3. What do you need to store in each area
4. How many guests -- for dinner, overnight, for kid’s play dates, for holidays
5. What will you be doing in each space -- comfortable and perhaps more durable furniture in a TV zone for easy spill cleanup, reading requires better light, listening to music requires good acoustics (textiles really help)
In a true cottage we are often dealing with tighter spaces and trying to maximize them. For example, in my little 25’ x 25’ cottage there was only one bedroom (that fit a twin bed). I wanted to have lots of sleeping areas for all the company I imagined (and hoped) I would have. So the bedrooms are small but all accommodate a queen bed (with storage below) and I did away with in-bedroom closets in favour of a big communal closet in the great room. Most clothing items at the cottage can be folded and tucked away so this helps maximize the floor space in the bedrooms. In the main cottage I can now comfortably sleep 10.