How Scott McGillivray Reels in Vacation House Renters With This Fishing-Themed Cottage

Tania and Selwyn <a href="http://10 Things You Should Know Before Buying Your First Cottage, According to Scott McGillivray" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bought their Kawartha Lake cottage</a> seven years ago, but haven’t gotten much use out of it thanks to its run-down finishes, dark interior and impractical details. Now, with their two sons about to go to university, they’re hoping Scott can help them make it ready for rentals.

To know just how much profit could be hidden in their outdated cottage (see furniture in this image), Scott helped Selwyn and Tania do their homework with his first rule, “Do Your Research.” The average rental rate for a three-bedroom property in the Kawartha Lake region is about $300 per night. If the couple rents their vacation house for just half the year, they could make $50,000 a year in rental income — which would go a long way towards helping them send their sons through university. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/40-fresh-cottage-decorating-ideas-1050260/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">50 Fresh Cottage Decorating Ideas</a>

In order <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/blog/save-money-during-renovation-1922164/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">to make smart renovations and stay on budget</a>, Scott used his fourth rule, “Plan Your Design,” before making any changes. With the help of designer Debra Salmoni, the team envisioned the cottage as a stylish log cabin retreat with a fishing theme — perfect for renters looking for a lake-front vacation. In the living room, this plan included painting the space, swapping the outdated light for a modern fixture and replacing the bold oversized fireplace with a chic stone design.

To help drive the theme home and increase the cottage’s marketing potential, Scott and Debra transformed a dark, empty living room wall into an homage to the region’s fishing. Debra, Tania and Selwyn shopped for curated antique fishing gear to add stylish dimension, while Scott made a unique 3D map to complete the space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/blog/sabrinas-tips-for-mixing-a-modern-home-with-antique-decor-1899329/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sabrina’s Tips for Mixing a Modern Home with Antique Decor</a>

One unique design challenge? When it came to planning the refreshed kitchen, Tania’s fear of spiders meant no upper cabinets. Getting creative with storage, the team added shelving to keep the essentials on hand for guests. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/most-popular-kitchen-designs-around-world-1932513/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Most Popular Kitchen Designs From Around the World</a>

There’s no doubt about it: This cottage’s lakefront location is its competitive advantage and the key to Scott’s third rule, “Get Noticed.” To make the cottage stand out from the online crowd, Scott designed an incredible outdoor entertainment space with multiple zones including a new deck, dining area and two lounge areas. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/16-outdoor-kitchens-that-will-blow-you-away-1927639/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Outdoor Kitchens That Will Blow You Away</a>

An important part of the outdoor area is the expanded deck, which Scott built to wrap around the entire front of the cottage — creating the ideal flow for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors. The richly hued bamboo composite decking was a bit more of an upfront investment, but is perfect for a rental property thanks to its low-maintenance design and durability. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/paul-lafrance/photos/10-things-to-consider-before-building-your-own-deck-1918835/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Things to Consider Before Building Your Own Deck</a>

Putting his fourth rule, “Roll Up Your Sleeves,” to work, Scott had the whole family come in to help complete one of the biggest updates to the cottage: the outdoor space. By working on the fire pit, Tania, Selwyn and their sons cut down on overall costs for the renovation. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/low-cost-ways-backyard-permanent-staycation-1938419/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">16 Low-Cost Ways to Make Your Backyard Feel Like a Permanent Staycation</a>

In order to be a great host, renters like Tania and Selwyn need to keep their guests’ experience in mind. To help, Scott used his final rule, “Be Your Guest” in the cottage’s updates — transforming the dark bathroom into a spa-like oasis, complete with a luxe shower and all the amenities guests could ask for. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/scott-mcgillivray/photos/scott-mcgillivray-best-bathrooms-1905735/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scott McGillivray's 17 Best Bathroom Designs</a>

Previously, the cottage's tight-spaced hallway was dark, dreary and not very welcoming to guests. Painting the walls and ceiling in light colours created a brighter feel, while small sun tunnels in the ceiling — designed to channel the sun for maximum light — let natural light stream in to give renters a sunny feel. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/dos-and-donts-decorating-hallways-1931037/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Do's and Don'ts of Decorating Your Hallways</a>