I like the colors you have, they look great.

For a bistro set, go Texas. Find someone local who makes live edge cedar tables and pair it with rattan chairs with pads.

There are lots of places in the Hill Country, one example: https://www.moellerranch.com/service/texas-hill-country-cedar-furniture/.

This would give your cottage local character and charm. We stayed at a cottage down there (we’re in D/FW) that had a deal with the place that made their porch furniture — they left the label (a small metal plaque) on the table with the company name.

I would suggest actually making the cottage a brighter orange and then getting chair pillows with similar orange and aqua colors.

Enhance the landscaping so that it's more appealing.

It’s challenging growing much under mature Live Oaks.

Use colorful Adirondack chairs around the fire pit.

Such a cute house and I find it appealing as it presents currently. I do really like Jilly's suggestions to incorporate elements with a natural, Hill Country aesthetic and to that end am wondering how green accents on the house would look instead of the orange and turquoise. I personally adore color, but would also want to steer clear of anything too garish for a rental.

IMO the orange is not orange enough .

Maybe some overspzed potted plants? Like the Texas equivalent of ferns.

Update all the cushions on the chairs you provide, do you provide bicycles? Show them, especially if they are a cool vintage sytle, in a tidy way if so. Build a fire for the pics, Set the small bistro set out from the building abit (with cushions or pillows) move the pots out to off porch area just to the right. Of course you are going to highlightyour ammenities as well in the listing but any that can be pictured will draw attention.

I am only seeking guests who are sad and can't choose Paul's because he is completely booked. cough - cough... This is a cottage - 290 sq ft, without a kitchen. Porch is great for coffee. Comfy chairs near the firepit. I am not going to be able to show everything in this picture. I will share a link if you want to see the amenities - lmk. I have a lot of flowers planted in pots (impatiens, Oxalis (butterfly shamrocks), begonias, and a fern). I just took a quick picture to show the color - (we painted the trim orange) - I was worried it was not the right choice. Def want to change the furniture. Thanks - and a special thanks to Jilly's detailed suggestion.

I showed the chairs that Jilly chose and my wife reminded me that the squirrels eat up our fabric to make their nests... grrr.

Uh, oh! They can be little stinkers. :D

If you like the outdoor (resin) rattan style, I find some to be comfortable without cushions, too. I’d just definitely want arms on the chairs.

I like the idea of colored chairs, like the colors on the house. All different color chairs, no more than 2 of each color. They are easy to care for, and clean, if needed. I also love the cottage the way it is, but, I also suggest, the orange to be a brighter orange. Once your plants are all blooming, it should look really cute for pictures. You could also add some colorful planters.

cat_ky, Can you offer a color suggestion? I thought the Sunset Orange was pretty bright. I am open to changing it before the prof photographer comes in 2 weeks.

Benjamin Moore Adobe Orange is a bit brighter color.

I'd try to match the orange in your porch furniture, and add a rug that ties the beige/yellow, orange, and turquoise together. Very cheery!

You have white windows so I would paint all the trim white so it’s more cohesive. Keep the vibrant door as the star.

This is a cottage - 290 sq ft, without a kitchen.

Wait, what? Back up the backyard. No kitchen? What do you have in there for food and beverage happiness?

LOL! Kitchenette - no sink. Small fridge, coffee bar, shower, bth sink.... (it's a love shack! for newlyweds and people that just love to dine out)

I am not sure if allowed to post a link. If you search Butterfly Cottage san antonio it should pop up on the air hotel platform. (hit a wish list please, wink) butterfly haven cottage san antonio

What a cute cottage!

I’ve always been Team No Garish Colors for the cottage itself and even more so now. It looks very natural, but still festive. It fits the surroundings well … peaceful and serene. A very relaxing vibe.

Thanks for sharing! I’ll save it for if we get down there one of these days. My NY DH has been wanting to see San Antonio.

That would be nice! I am getting a website so you can book direct and save some $$. It's under construction now, but it is; stay awhile in texas (remove spaces) dot com - I did not mean to come here to promote - but hey, we'd be glad to have you and I will get you a discount for your advice! Now, are you saying that the orange trim is okay, and not too garish? That was my concern.

What about these indestructables? If yes, what color? https://a.co/d/iFwBlKy

@Coffee Dude, how will I make my coffee?

This is what guests are looking for:

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/the-amenities-guests-want-25

Obviously, you can't provide all.

Thank you for the kind offer!

Right — I like the current colors. Perfect. I would not go brighter.

I like the shell chairs, super charming. Hard to say about colors, they can look so different on monitors. We have a few local places that sell new ones, do you? I’d really want to see them in person, for color and quality.

elcieg,

My screen name is Coffee Dude - lol - you can bet I'm gonna make sure you can make some coffee in the cottage! At my other place I offer 3 methods of making your java. It is a small area, so things are confined to just the kuerig maker (with R/O filtered water no less ;-) ). I am having my double espresso right now. Cheers!

I rarely shop in person unless it is home depot or my favorite nursery for plants/veggies. You can tell how stylish I am now ; )

Ok, my choices would be the green or champagne. I like the blue, too. Anything but gray.

And I will check in person - I do exaggerate.

I was going to fuss at you. :D

SA and Austin are a couple of my favorite places to find cool things!

ETA: Abby is so cute. :)

I would put your money into something like this. Home Depot! Your guests are sad because there’s no sink in the kitchen!

I don’t think the lack of a sink is an issue.

These types of cottages are all over the Hill Country and are very popular.

The Hill Country is a very unique area and has a large share of visitors looking for a clean and nice cottage to sleep/shower/get ready in. People seeking this type of cottage are singles or couples and will be spending the weekend taking pictures of wildflowers, hiking, kayaking, visiting all the amazing sites in SA and Austin, exploring the quaint and historic smaller Hill towns, going to gorgeous state parks, tubing down the river, climbing, going to wineries, finding wonderful restaurants, heading down to Padre Island National Seashore (an awesome place), checking out Corpus Christi, etc.

A quiet cottage in a convienant location, comfy bed, and clean bathroom are priorities. Other things are a bonus.

This cottage would not do well in Dallas or Houston. It would and does in Austin, SA, Big Bend, Galveston, Big Thicket National Preserve, etc.

There are plenty of resorts/hotels for those wanting cribs, pools, and such. And plenty of visitors for all kinds of places to stay. They aren’t in competition with each other.

I’m sure Coffee Dude knows his clientele.

My first thought is that belongs inside an airplane - not the look I'm shootin for, Paul. There are size limitations I face here. We do offer a small fridge, microwave, and coffee/tea bar. I don't want them cooking a meal. I have 3 bedrooms homes in the area for that. Thanks for suggestions, nonetheless! I will stay happy with the crumbs (sad guests).

Things are getting competitive he says, that's why he's here. LIke you said it comes down to 'bonuses'.

You don't want them to BBQ or cook? Alright, totally different thing going on in your area. Carry on.

Well - I take fault in taking some non-professional photos for my listing. I am hiring a pro in a couple of weeks. Before the photographer comes, I thought why not powerwash, and spice up the trim with some new paint? I should know better than take the pics myself, but the place was rockin along pretty well. There will be plenty of flowers blooming in some pretty decent looking pots. I will be happy to share a pic then.

Whew, kitchenette. Sorry if I derailed there, but it threw me for a second, lol. I'm not sure if the house needs more color. I love a poppin cottage. And I love the orange trim and teal door. Just not sure it needs more.

I do think the yard could use some more color. Not sure what time of the year the pic is, if it's full growing season in it or not. But a way to add in some happy color is with planters. Some of the current neutral or dark planters could be replaced with brighter or more colorful ones in your current house pallete. Like some shades of teal and a couple oranges in that space to the right of the house would pull color over and expand the flow of the view. Where you have the one teal pot on the left, and in another and maybe a yellow one or two. The two planters on the far left paint white and add in some orange and teal pots.

I let guests make their s'mores on the firepit. Real oak and pecan that burns - not the fake logs.

Coffee Dude, your cottage is absolutely adorable and if I'm ever SA bound, I will check the availability. I've just looked at your listing on my phone and your place is exactly the sort we seek when traveling. Our upcoming vacation is to a mountain town where we'll rent a vintage cabin that's cute as can be. We are returning guests to that accommodation. It's not perfect, but it has soul and we love it there.

Not all travelers seek the same thing, regardless of what articles or know-it-alls assert. We have a very comfortable newish home, but when we visit a place, we gravitate towards something cozy and quirky. You keep doing what you're doing, because I've a feeling you're getting it right. 👌

I've kept the mustard colour for the siding because the corner of your house we see is that colour but I've done all the trim in white. I'm not an orange person and prefer a bit of a chic look.

I like the bistro set on the porch and suggest you replace the sconce for a larger black one.

So here's an illustration of my suggestions including Adirondack chairs for the firepit area...

That was nice of you to show the white - it really helps! I am afraid with our messy oak trees it would look dirty in a hurry, though. It is another nice thought, nonetheless.

I could be reading the pic wrong…but….The only thing missing appears to be “privacy🤷🏼‍♀️”…if that is true …a divider of some sort …so if they want to sit outside it doesn’t like they are in “ your” back yard?…it is beautiful hide-away…colors are fine…IMO)…doesn’t have to be-a full fence…just a little section big enough to sit behind…facing the cottage and lovely garden…” THEIR SPOT…

Personally i think your pic is better than a pro’s pics…as they tend to over state certain things that may end up in disappointment on arrival…a pretty pic and your honesty about square footage ..lay out…in words…will not lead to disappointment…

As to the zig-zag divider” that could be built to move around as needed…and just staked down…it can be privacy from the house or create a private outdoor space around the garden…this feature and maybe weekly rates will be more encouraging of longer stays…

I like the orange!

I like the orange much better than the white. The orange shows its quirky character, the white makes it ordinary, plain and boring.