Scott Transforms a Tiny Beaches Property into a Magnificent Beachy Bungalow

Eva and Stew were lucky enough to inherit not one but two beachfront cottages from their family on Ontario’s Georgian Bay. But while one property had been renovated and put to good use, the second property looked as though it was still in the 1970s. This couple needed help if they were going to transform the space into a rentable retreat.

That’s where Scott McGillivray and the Vacation House Rules team came in handy. See how they transformed this shabby spot into a beachy bungalow that’s a true vacation retreat from the inside out.

White coastal living room with grey and wood furniture

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Creating a Beachy Vibe

When you’ve got a property on a private beach, transforming the space into a beachy bungalow is a no-brainer. The theme wrote itself, leaving it up to Scott and co. to put it into action. Enter this living room with white coastal finishes, pops of blue, and a focal fireplace with an updated mantel. Now this feels like a space you’d find in any gorgeous coastal town, which is an experience most people-especially city dwellers-would easily pay for.

Kitchen in an outdated cottage with beige countertops and wood paneling

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Before the Renovation

To give you an idea of what the space looked like before the renovation, here’s what the team was dealing with. Tight quarters, dark wood, and a countertop straight out of the 1970s doesn’t exactly scream beach vacation, now does it?

Coastal kitchen with white walls and island

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Creating An Easy Flow

With a little reconfiguring, a new floor, and updated finishes in the kitchen, this is now a breezy space that potential renters can dream about hanging out in. The large island doubles as a dining table that seats six, while the new countertops and appliances completely update the space. Add in those pops of blue via the paint and finishes, and the pretty coastal theme continues throughout.

Floor-to-ceiling windows with white wooden beams in furnished living room

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Brightening Up the Space

These owners are lucky to have such an amazing, secluded beach view, and why wouldn’t you want to capitalize on that when you’re selling a space? So Scott replaced the windows along the back wall, opting for smaller frames and no screens so that renters can enjoy that beautiful view in all its glory.

Coastal bathroom with white and blue tiling on walls

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Creating a Luxe Bathroom

Before Scott arrived, the sole bathroom was rusted, cramped, and definitely showed its age. However, renters are looking for a luxury experience throughout their entire vacation – and yes, that extends to the bathrooms. To really play up the single bathroom in this rental, Scott gave it tons of upgrades, from the tiling and vanity to the new glass shower, and even the on-theme toilet seat.

Coastal bedroom with white walls and grey headboard

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A Beachy Retreat

In the primary bedroom, Scott continued those beachy vibes with the panelled walls, fresh paint, and bursts of blue. To add a more dramatic look, the team went with darker blues in this particular bedroom and finished the space with light furniture to continue that beach house experience from morning to night.

Bunk beds with silver frame in a bright cottage room

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Bunking Up at the Beach

Even bunk beds are welcome in a beach house, or at least they are when you’re talking about creating a rentable space. So in this third bedroom, Scott went with his “heads in beds” mantra and created a modern but beachy bunk bed space where kids or friends can crash for a few nights. The soft blues and greys still feel modern next to the light woods and white finishes, transforming this into a rentable but chic little room.

Outdoor firepit with beach chairs on sandy shore

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A Custom Firepit Area

Renters might not be expecting clam bakes, but an outdoor firepit area is always a welcome extension of the indoor space. Scott had this firepit custom-designed for the owners, not only as a talking piece but as something that can contain fires (and keep renters from going overboard with their flammable tendencies). After all, when you have an investment like this, you definitely have to protect it with all the safety features possible.

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Unexpected Touches

When you have renters trudging from the beach back up to your property, you want to do what you can to contain all of that sand. Enter this genius outdoor shower space, which is a luxe yet practical addition to the vacation home. Now guests can wash off themselves, kids, or pets before going back inside, making this a win-win for the owners and renters alike.

Beach cabana with seating area overlooking the water

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Be Your Renter

Scott always puts himself in the renter’s shoes. When it came to this property, he recognized that any renter would want to spend time in comfort at the private beach. So he constructed this outdoor cabana where guests can find shade during the day and sip on a drink while watching the sunset at dusk, adding even more luxury to this beachy bungalow. Now the owners can ask up to $500 a night during the peak season, an amount that will definitely help them to achieve their own beachy dreams in the very near future.