Key Considerations For The Perfect Vacation Cottage In Hastings County, Ontario
While Ontario may be known for big-city charm like Toronto and Ottowa, there are many pockets of peaceful splendor scattered throughout the province. Take Hastings County: known as the Cheese Capital of Canada, only around 145,000 people live here, a population density of just 24 people per square kilometer. With so much room to spread out and relax in this low-key southeastern region of Ontario, it’s no wonder that the area has become such a hotspot for quaint vacation cottages.
As a cottage is quite a large expenditure, it’s important to work with a reputable custom home builder who will be attentive to your specific requirements. To do this, though, you need to come to your contractor with a clear vision of what you want, meaning you need to reflect on some of the most important considerations for a good cottage. In this article, we’ll explore some of the vital points you should review when developing your dream home away from home.
Tailoring Your Cottage To Fit Your Needs
Choose The Right Size For Your Socializing Style
Your family size and willingness to entertain should be significant factors when deciding what type of cottage you would like. While you may believe bigger is better, it’s expensive to build and maintain a building of any size, especially one that you will not be living in full time.
Come to your builder with your overall goals for the property. Is it a small retreat for you and your spouse, or will it be the location of family reunions? This can also help you decide whether you want a two-story cottage or whether it would be better to have everything on the first floor so that elderly relatives have an easier time getting around.
Knowing what you intend to use the cottage for will help the contractor suggest what they believe would be the right size for your needs, and you can then begin to develop a plan.
Don’t Hesitate To Stand Out From The Crowd
When people think “vacation cottage,” they think of a fussy Tudor or meticulous Victorian that recalls bygone eras, but that does not necessarily need to be true. These are fine design options, as are more modern twists on the cottage style. Some popular options that may better suit your interests can include Midcentury Modern, whose focus on natural materials looks fantastic out in the woods, or a stark Scandinavian style that emphasizes simplicity and comfort.
A great builder will be able to satisfy any of these needs if you share what your interests are. Bring in reference images of styles that you like, especially if they are also vacation cottages, so that the contractor can work to incorporate these elements into the finished design.
Location, Location, Location
Most people come to Hastings County in order to soak up the pristine wilderness, such as the Madawaska Highlands and the breathtaking islands of the Bay of Quinte. While your specific plot of land will have different geographic features, whether that is a good look at the rolling hills to the north or the spectacular River Trent, you can work to emphasize these in your cottage design.
For example, large picture windows let you drink your morning coffee while basking in the glory of nature, and an exterior that harmonizes with the surrounding wilderness will help you feel like you’re a part of Mother Earth itself. Using native wood species and rock will also create a seamless blend of natural and constructed.
Of course, your love for the local nature shouldn’t end when the last brick is laid. Work to develop a great outdoor living space with a peaceful patio, an outdoor fireplace, and plenty of seating. A four seasons porch is a particularly popular option thanks to chilly Ontario winters; you may even choose to have a wood-burning stove installed to keep you warm while you’re watching deer frolic in the snow and sipping hot cocoa.
Think Unique With Different Room Uses
One of the best things about a vacation cottage is that, since it is primarily for pleasure, you can customize it to your heart’s desire. This can mean everything from having a special game room, a wine cellar, or a large kitchen with commercial-grade appliances so that you can serve up delicious meals for your whole family.
Some popular options include a home gym to keep your fitness up while you’re on vacation, a craft room for your favorite hobbies, or a basement home theatre to watch the latest releases with your family. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to your customization options, especially when working with an award-winning design team.
Hastings County is the ideal place to get away from the daily grind for a while, and a vacation cottage allows you the serenity you so crave. Take all factors into consideration and work with a great builder in order to ensure you have the best experience possible.
