The Great Bunkie Love Affair: Why Everyone's Dreaming Small

Let’s talk about the sidekick of cottage life. No, not the bug spray or the fire pit. We’re talking about the bunkie. That cozy little cabin is small in stature but mighty in charm and practicality. If you’ve ever slept on a lumpy sofa with a dog paw in your face because the cottage was full—this blog is for you.

Think of a bunkie as the tiny house’s laid-back cousin. It’s a sweet, compact cabin—usually under 250 square feet—on your property that quietly says, “Hey, I’ve got space if you’ve got guests.” It’s uncommon that they have a kitchen and most definitely aren't accompanied with an ensuite soakertub, but it does come with major cozy vibes and that “I want to write a novel here” energy.

Hosting friends or family is so much easier when you’re not playing musical chairs with the air mattress. A bunkie gives your guests a private space to crash that’s separate from your main home, meaning everyone gets the privacy they crave—so never again will you have to hear your in-laws complain about the pain associated with sleeping on the couch. Win-win.

Yes, a bunkie makes a great guesthouse, but it’s also the perfect blank canvas. Need a quiet home office? Bunkie. An art studio? Bunkie. A she-shed, man-cave, or kid retreat? You guessed it—bunkie.

And if you’re feeling a little entrepreneurial, you can even list it on Airbnb. City-dwellers love a weekend escape with just enough Wi-Fi to post a sunset pic and brag about “disconnecting.”

Here’s what we love most about bunkies:

● Size matters – Check your local building and municipal codes, because you may not need a permit based on square footage.

● Easy to build – Whether you’re the DIY type or prefer a pre-fab kit, a bunkie comes together faster than you can say “pass the hammer.”

● Budget-friendly space boost – You get more livable square footage without committing to a full addition or major renovation.

● Charming as heck – From rustic chic to modern minimal, your bunkie can match your cottage aesthetic or stand out as a statement.

Sure, there are a couple of caveats. Most bunkies don’t have plumbing, so unless you’re going all out with composting toilets or macerating wizardry, it’s usually a short walk to the main cottage for the loo. Make sure you consider your septic when fantasizing about using your bunkie for sleepovers. (And if you want to use your bunkie year-round, insulation is a must—unless you enjoy waking up as a human popsicle in January).

But hey, every love story has its quirks.

At the end of the day, a bunkie is more than just a building—it’s a feeling. A retreat. A place where kids can giggle under blankets, where guests can recharge in peace, and where you can sneak away for a nap, a read, or a really good cry (we don’t judge).

If cottage life is about connection, comfort, and a little bit of magic, then the humble bunkie is right at the heart of it.