Turn a Simple Cottage into a Vacation-Worthy Summer Home

A hot real estate market is seeing more Canadians get into cottages this season, but a summer staycation of cold drinks and family movie nights requires a few upgrades.

A few additions can make the simplest of cottages more comfortable through any summer heatwave. Cottages with an Internet connection can easily become a summer home, especially for Canadians working remotely yet craving a change of scenery after a year of pandemic life.

"The way you outfit your cottage can make the difference between a luxury getaway and roughing it," says Meaghan Wilkinson, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing with Hisense Canada. "Consider these appliances and electronics a smart re-investment of the money you would have spent on a hotel and flight this summer."

Hisense Canada suggests the following pieces to help bring the cottage into modernity:

·         Dehumidifier — Usually the humidity is what pushes summer temperatures into discomfort for many Canadians. A dehumidifier helps air conditioning units run effectively and efficiently while making the air less heavy to breath. They will also help keep the air in the cottage fresh, and fight back against the musty smell that can invade over the dormant winter months. 

·         Portable air conditioner – Portable air conditioners are easy to setup with powerful cooling capacity without being noisy. They are also easy to move from room to room, keeping sleeping temperatures comfortable at night.

·         Second fridge – There are never too many cold drinks in the summer heat and a second fridge can free up some space in the crammed kitchen fridge after stocking up for the week. Place it in a shed or boathouse, or out on a covered deck, to keep the cold drinks close by the action.

·         Smart TV – Bring movies to life with more than a billion colours in 4K high definition. Smart TVs sync with smart home devices and have streaming services built right in – meaning less cords and outlets required. At a Wifi-enabled cottage, a Smart TV brings all the entertainment options you can desire for those rainy days or chilly nights.

·         Soundbar – New movie releases are skipping the box office and streaming at home, and a soundbar brings movies the audio they deserve. Connect to a music streaming app on the Smart TV or via Bluetooth for an even better dinner playlist.

"The whole family will appreciate the added comfort this summer," says Meaghan. "Keep everyone safe and entertained inside with longer cottage trips this year.