Beach Cottage Remodel: Before & After
See how beadboard paneling, paint and new furnishings can transform a little house into a nice beach cottage retreat. It is used as a family getaway and as a rental to others in the summer months.
Submitted By Seaside Shelter
I live in Middletown, RI which is a part of the Newport, RI beach community. We have our home here that we live in 11 months out of the year (that remodel took 7 years, but was well worth it!)
As a result of our great location- across from the beach- coupled with Newport being a huge destination wedding spot, we have the opportunity to rent our home out for a few weeks in the summertime.
We decided that after a few summers of staying with family we would try to buy a condo to use during this time and have as a rental property (my justification for looking to decorate a new space).
While looking at condos, this house right in our own neighborhood came on the market. It’s only 3 blocks from our home and still under a mile to the beach. It was a total disaster which made the price right and made me love it more.
My parents were custom home builders so I’ve always had a affection for older homes since I never had the opportunity to live in one, plus I’m a HUGE yard-saler and bargain hunter who owns all her own tools so resurrecting this little shack was super exciting for me!
With my husband on board, some great friends willing to pitch in with some sweat equity and some rental dollars to spend, I couldn’t wait to get started!
It’s still a work in progress as time and money permit, but I love how it’s turned out so far and can’t wait to get to work on the garage and the rest of the exterior in a few weeks!
Here is the exterior before and after.
![beach cottage exterior before_thumb[3]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-exterior-before_thumb3.jpg "beach cottage exterior before_thumb[3]")
![beach cottage exterior after_thumb[3]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-exterior-after_thumb3.jpg "beach cottage exterior after_thumb[3]")
Kitchen before…
![beach cottage kithcen before_thumb[2]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-kithcen-before_thumb2.jpg "beach cottage kithcen before_thumb[2]")
During… (you can see where the fridge moved to the other side of the room) with my daughter and neighbor pitching in)
![beach cottage kithcen during construction_thumb[2]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-kithcen-during-construction_thumb2.jpg "beach cottage kithcen during construction_thumb[2]")
After… 7 foot ceilings- for someone who is 5’9″ make painting pretty quick!
![beach cottage kithcen after_thumb[3]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-kithcen-after_thumb3.jpg "beach cottage kithcen after_thumb[3]")
Living room before..
![beach cottage lining room before_thumb[2]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-lining-room-before_thumb2.jpg "beach cottage lining room before_thumb[2]")
Tv wall before…
![beach cottage lining room during_thumb[2]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-lining-room-during_thumb2.jpg "beach cottage lining room during_thumb[2]")
Living room after photos.
![beach cottage lining room after_thumb[2]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-lining-room-after_thumb2.jpg "beach cottage lining room after_thumb[2]")
![beach cottage lining room after tv wall_thumb[3]](https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach-cottage-lining-room-after-tv-wall_thumb3.jpg "beach cottage lining room after tv wall_thumb[3]")
I am the husband of the amazing Cassity of Remodelaholic. I love to problem solve and to design and build things inside and outside the house to make life better. I am a professional Landscape Architect by trade and love the outdoors.
What a perfect little beach cottage! Such a happy transformation 🙂
What a beautiful makeover! Such an adorable cottage! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for including us! Looking forward to continuing to update the cottage over the next few months!
What a great transformation! I love all the cottage touches you added to this beach property. Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll have to look up this rental property if we’re ever up in Newport!
Great use of soothing colors throughout home create a seamless flow
Home decor is reflective of this home’s summer vacation location while not being over the top (i.e. lighthouse mirrors, lighthouse pictures, lighthouse light covers, lamps…you’re getting a visual right)
Manipulation and clever use of space makes this home away from home highly function able and comfortable both inside and out!
The kitchen is just lovely! Great job.
Wow!! This is beautiful!! Great job!
So clean and refreshing looking now!
It’s got a great beach cottage look now. We rent a house at the beach every other summer. I search online for houses, and am always disappointed in how many there are that are outdated. For a beach cottage, it doesn’t take too much effort to brighten up the space and make it fun.
So cute! When do you think you will be done with the cottage? We love that area for summer vacation and would definitely love to rent a place that is updated.