It’s our home away from home, where we go to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The one place we know we can relax, reflect and recharge. Is there anything more peaceful or inspiring than sitting on a dock, watching the sun dip behind the trees and listening to the distinctive call of a nearby loon?

Simply put, we love life at the lake. In Canada, we love it so much that an entire industry has been created for it. Books, magazines, cable channels. Building, furnishing, entertaining, renovating. You name it and, chances are, there’s a cottage market connected to it. Here in Ontario, there are so many people that own cottages, and so many locations that cater to this market, that we’ve come to know it as “cottage country”.

It wasn’t always this way, though. A generation or two ago, cottage life was decidedly more rustic. Cottages were smaller while services and amenities were virtually non-existent. No running water, no electricity, no extra sleeping space. Is it any wonder it was often referred to as “roughing it”?

Fast forward to today and it’s a completely different scenario. It’s not uncommon to see cottages with lots of living space, complete with tastefully-designed interiors and landscaped lawns. It’s a well-known fact that our retractable screen products adapt well to cottages, letting the cool breeze in and keeping those pesky bugs out. As well, most resort areas also include services and amenities that can be found at home. So, with a well-stocked fridge, some extra blankets and a good BBQ, we can – and usually do – take full advantage of a longer cottage season.

But while many of us are getting ready to lock things up for the winter, it doesn’t mean that we should  forget about our beloved beach homes until the following spring. This is a great time to save on summer sales: accent pieces, camping supplies, deck furnishings and more are being moved out to make room for fall and winter stock. And, if you’d like to see what’s new and trending in the cottage industry, why not take in the Fall Cottage Life Show at the International Centre in Mississauga?

We’re going to be there because we believe in keeping the cottage season going for as long as possible.