Tiny cottage, air bnb in Sussex, November 2025

From Tiny Cottage to Glowing Getaway: How Lighting the Beams Transformed an Airbnb

What was once a modest, almost-forgotten cottage has been reimagined into a warm, inviting Airbnb retreat—and the secret ingredient wasn’t square footage or luxury finishes. It was light.

The Vision: Small Space, Big Impact

The cottage was charming but dim. Low ceilings and thick timber beams gave it character, yet they also absorbed light, making the space feel smaller than it really was. The owner’s goal was clear:
bring in more light, highlight the cottage’s best features, and create an atmosphere guests would fall in love with the moment they walked in.

That’s when the idea to illuminate the beams came into focus.

Lighting the Beams: A Design Turning Point

Instead of hiding the beams, the design embraced them. Subtle, warm lighting was installed along and around the timber, softly washing the ceiling with light. This approach achieved several things at once:

• Enhanced natural light by reducing dark shadows

• Drew the eye upward, making the cottage feel taller and more open

• Highlighted craftsmanship, turning rustic beams into a standout design feature

• Created instant ambiance, especially in the evenings

The result was transformative. The space felt brighter during the day and irresistibly cozy at night.