Hi, I like the flooring. My choices would be Catoosa or Coastal.

Where is the cottage located? Near a lake, the ocean, a holiday resort?

I like my cottage to reflect what is outside. I feel that you can't go wrong if you choose the colours you see when you look outside. If you have lots of trees, then greens and greys to mimic the leaves and bark.

If you have a water view, then watery blues and greens.

You mention tile so I assume you are thinking that will go in the laundry/washroom? Of course some backsplash too, but I'm assuming the flooring you are choosing will go through all the other rooms, kitchen, living and bedrooms? That's what I'd do. And I read that the flooring is waterproof, so it could even go in your washroom on the floor.

For your shower, let me recommend a product we have in our own cottage and really love. It is easily installed and looks great and is very, very easy to keep clean. I think with a rental you don't want to have to worry about cleaning tile and grout. The shower we have is Maax Utile. Check it out. I love it and would highly recommend this product. We have the barn style sliding door and the Utile Metro colour. People have to touch it to decide it isn't real tile. The sliding door hardware is heavy duty and closes well. It isn't light weight and cheap feeling at all. I think you'll be impressed. We've had it now for 2 full seasons and our cottage is unheated in winters, and it still looks like brand new. You can see all the colour/style choices on their website. I felt it was a very reasonable price for the quality and our contractor had no complaints about the installation process.

For the kitchen I think I'd choose some coloured cupboards. Nothing too shocking in colour but enough to set a tone for the entire cottage. I'd buy the best you can afford and stay away from thermofoil or any of the cheaper alternatives. Ikea quality impresses me and I've seen some really nice kitchens done from Ikea and stand the test of time and the wear and tear of regular use.

How do you feel about blue? Blue cupboards

I also like this grey green colour - grey green cupboards

I'd choose a low maintenance counter, solid stone like granite or a quartz product so you aren't worried about scorches or maintaining the tops. For your cabinet lowers, more drawers, fewer doors. You can stow away all kinds of things in drawers and keep things off the counter but easily accessible.

I'd choose a paint colour and use it throughout the entire place and keep some on hand for regular touch ups.

One of my favourites at my own cottage is Gray Wisp by Benjamin Moore

It is a beautiful neutral that goes will with most colours and mimics the colour I see when I look out the windows.

Edited to add, can you change your laundry to stacking and make your shower a bit bigger and more luxurious feeling? Will you be renting to young families? If so, you may want to consider a bathtub, not just a shower. And, since renters will have their kit bags with them in the washroom, lots of storage or shelves under the vanity for them to tuck their kit bags out of sight and still have room to use the counter tops. One of those hotel style towel racks is also a great idea, you can pile extra towels on it and have enough space to hang a few towels to dry after showers. Lots of hooks on the walls in the washroom and also in the entryway. You likely don't need a hall closet but folks will have sweaters and towels etc that are easy to hang on a peg inside the door.

I hope I've been able to give you a few things to think about.

Let us know what you envision yourself and what style you have in mind.

I would do stacked washer/dryer in the bathroom so there is more space.

I would also do a really nice walk in shower as opposed to squeezing in a bath and shower. I think more people would like the washer dryer as opposed to a smaller shower and tub.

Since you want somewhat trendy, I would go with modern cabinets - maybe homage to Mid Century Modern - walnut would be gorgeous if it's in the budget.

Wood flooring is obviously the most desirable but could be damaged. I will say that when I lived in NYC, all my rentals had wood floors. Other than that all floor coverings have their pros and cons - tile is ultra durable but not particularly "warm" unless your cottage is located in an area like Florida where tile is prevalent. Laminate is inexpensive but would have to be replaced periodically. Tile in the bathroom is probably the best choice of flooring as it can withstand abuse and water.

The cottage is in Colorado, there is a beautiful view of mountains at the back of the property.

The flooring will be from the link above, and will be though the entire cottage, including bath. I will have a tiled shower, but am limited on the bathroom size in the floorplan.. I will absolutely look at those panels, I think i saw them recently in a hotel, and thought they were a cool product.

Good ideas about the cabinets, I have looked at some IKEA options, and I think they will work. I was considering a modern/industrial or Swedish look, because I think it will be less dated in 5 years than what is ultra popular now.

Is this an Air BnB type of rental or leased to long term renters.

If it's Air BnB, I would definitely lose the bath tub and put in the most luxurious shower you can. I don't think anyone really wants to take a bath in a short term rental as most people might think they need to scrub it out before using versus a shower. No need to enlarge the size of the bathroom as you can have a luxurious walk in shower in a fairly small bathroom.

If it's Air BnB, the kitchen really doesn't need the same kind of functionality as for a long term renter because people would not generally be wanting to cook elaborate meals.

Long-term, there is no tub, that is a sink.

I would stack the washer/dryer and then have room for a vanity with some storage. Bathroom storage is pretty critical as is some counter space to place toothbrushes and even minimal grooming aids.

That is a vanity next to the shower, not a tub.

I can't stack the washer/dryer because renters generally hate the all in one units and individual ones are difficult to replace. I also have to put a tankless water heater over the washer/dryer.

The closets are large, but there isn't a lot of storage, and I have to put the bedrooms where they are. There is a door next to the fridge. .

I can't change the layout/floorplan due to constraints I won't go into at this point.

I am looking for interior design suggestions, flooring, cabinets, lighting, style.

I think a medium stain on the floors will stand up to time. For back splash in the kitchen try to keep the grout lines to a minimum so they don't start looking grungy three years in. A large format might be a good choice for you, such as below. I'd repeat the concept in the bath. For kitchencounters I'd go with formica- it's economical and color/patterning is almost limitless.

Traditionally designed handleless kitchen · More Info

I'd also reconsider the island. Many people enjoy a proper table for meals and the island is taking up valuable floor space. Consider a portable butcher block island that's included with the unit if you don't think there's sufficient counter space.

A smart layout with thoughtful storage and mindfullness of natural resources will always be hip. As will access to outdoor living when weather permits.

Here's an alternate floor plan to consider with an galley kitchen, dining nook and small den. Perhaps your property has space for a small patio or front porch? Both bedrooms, while a tad smaller, have cross ventilation by relocating the closets. It really is better to have corner areas occupied by living/sleeping rather than storage. Plumbing stays in the same place, only there's a larger shower due to using a space saving stackable washer/dryer.

Thanks, but, as stated above the layout cannot be changed much due to an existing window in the kitchen and a wall with a concrete footer where the 2nd bedroom and closets are. I cannot stack the washer and dryer either.

nope overdubs, the shower/bath is next to the neighbors.

The view matters.... ? could the closets be rotated for a better view out, and possibly air flow of at least 1 of bedrooms?

The door wouldn't be in middle of that wall too. Could place tv and/or dresser. Could have window high in each closet, not to fade anything but provide a pleasant place.

Hi again,

In the washroom, if you flip the locations of the toilet and shower, is there enough room for a larger shower with its long side backing onto the kitchen and the short side where the toilet tank is now? I just feel like everything is smashed against one wall in the washroom. Your plumbing layout wouldn't have to change as you have water supply and drain for both toilet and and shower with the current layout.

I know you've said the layout cant change, but I'm not clear what is in the way of the bedroom walls. The smaller bedroom is quite small. You'll have trouble getting much more than a double size bed in that room. Is it possible to move the wall between the smaller bedroom and the closets over closer to the other wall? That could maybe give you a 10 X 10 bedroom and smaller closets. It would give you just a bit more room to have a bed and dresser or maybe a chair or small desk in a bedroom, since the rest of the space is open concept.

In any case, I think you are in good shape with your plans and I think making it bright and clean looking should be your priority. Inviting and comfortable but easy to maintain finishes. I'd get a nice comfy couch (If you decide to put in a pull out/sleeper type couch which many rentals have) then make sure it is really comfortable to sit on. Some are so hard due to the fold out mechanism.

The wall on the left from the 2nd bedroom to the closets is already in place and has a 18" concrete footer. Nothing can move much. There is no room to have toilet and shower or sink face each other, there isn't adequate clearance. I didn't sketch this out without thinking. The shower is 36"x 36". I cannot make the bathroom deeper because I need upper cabinets in the kitchen. There is room for a queen or even king bed and dresser in each room. There is very little storage in the unit except for the bedroom closets.

gmp3, did you end up using the Neptune Elite flooring? If you did, how do you like it?