SPONSORED BY Pfister Faucets

Cottage time is here, and the start of the season is always a good time to take stock of your summer retreat and think about upgrades or improvements.

While this could mean a major renovation, it doesn’t have to. A few tweaks here and there can make a world of difference in your cottage décor. You can make a great impact by replacing and upgrading your faucets throughout.

“Let’s be honest — the cottage isn’t there for spending a lot of time indoors,” says Kenana Al-Yakobi, channel manager of Pfister Canada for Spectrum Brands Inc. “But you are going to be inside getting meals ready or cleaning up, and you have to expect that at least a few days of cottage season will be rainy. You want to have a space that is not only stylish, but also functional.”

When pursuing that rustic cottage look, Kenana offers the following advice:

• In the Kitchen — A bronze finish has great rustic look to it, and would suit your cottage perfectly, especially if there is a lot of exposed natural wood in your place. A classic two-handle faucet would look great at the kitchen sink, but there is also something to be said for marrying modern convenience with a classic look. A touch-free faucet helps reduce the spread of germs and makes cleaning up a breeze.

• In the Bathroom — A vessel faucet has taken its design cues from a traditional pump that would draw water from a well, and is a great look in your cottage bathroom. With a trough for a spout and a single-handle control styled like a pump, it brings a vintage look to any space.

• Water-Saving Showerhead — Water is a precious resource, and whether you are drawing from a cistern or a lake, you want to conserve as much as possible at the cottage. A water-saving showerhead will do the job of a regular showerhead but only use a fraction of the water.

• Outdoor Shower — There is something to be said about showering under an open sky, and the cottage is the ideal place for an outdoor shower enclosure. Find a private spot, ensure there is good drainage and a solid floor (think paver stones) on which to stand, and put up a shower. Rainfall showerheads are great for outdoors, but also look for something with a wand so you can clean off your feet after a day at the beach.

“Outdoor showers are a great addition to your backyard or cottage,” says Kenana. “When the Canadian summer hits, there is nothing quite like standing under an open sky while taking a shower.”

For more information on Pfister Faucets, please visit pfisterfaucets.com.