With more friends and family regularly staying the night, many homeowners have turned to building economical backyard guest houses as a smart solution. This article will showcase 10 unique and stylish backyard guest houses built on smaller lots that provide comfortable accommodations for visitors while preserving homeowners' privacy in the main house.
Mini Guest House
This petite guest house optimized the sloping terrain with its intriguing design. Tropical hardwoods and vertical timber elements blend the modern structure into the landscape. Large sliding glass doors take advantage of breezes and connect the indoor and outdoor living spaces. Compact yet comfortable, this minimal design demonstrates how a small backyard guest house can meet visiting needs.
Whimsical and Charming Cottage
Filled with personal touches honoring a beloved family member, this whimsical cottage charms with its English garden setting. Framed by surrounding flowering plants, the art studio interior opens to an outer "cigar patio" through French doors. Decomposed granite and cobblestone paths invite wandering the lush yet water-wise landscape, while a central pond adds visual interest and sound.
Beachy Cottage
Evoking a relaxed coastal feel, this guest flat features blonde wood, ample windows and a small covered deck. Occupying a compact 16 by 19 foot footprint, the tiny home maximizes living space with an efficiently designed bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. Leaving room for future use, it provides private lodging now while allowing potential income later from guests. Sleek and shining with beach vibes, it fits right into the surrounding seaside community.
Wooden Hawk House
Inspired by mid-century designs, this rustic tiny home built entirely of wood welcomes nature lovers. Nestled in a private wooded setting, the pitched roof shelter offers a basic yet cozy interior. Sustainable and off-grid, plans are available for a DIY version, transporting this simple natural aesthetic to any private yard or wooded parcel seeking an eco-friendly guest lodging.
Poolside Cottage with Pergolas
Flanked by columned pergolas, this elegant guest house graces the edge of an impressive swimming pool. A fully equipped kitchen opens directly to outdoor living areas for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Subtly incorporating lighting, water features and surrounding landscaping, the sophisticated design blurs boundaries between architecture and nature into an alluring oasis.
Modern Austin Pool House
Conveniently close to a sparkling pool, the modern lines of this guest flat lend themselves to easy living. Constructed with flexibility and universal design in mind including wide doors and roll-in shower, guests of all abilities can easily enjoy relaxing visits. Clean and bright interiors flow seamlessly to covered porches and poolside decking, making the most of balmy Texas evenings with family and friends near at hand.
Victorian Cottage
Drawing inspiration from the grande Victorian main home, this charming smaller version maintains historical detailing with fish scale shingles, fluted columns and ornate millwork. A full gourmet kitchen complements spacious living quarters, transporting guests to another era while providing all conveniences.
Completed with traditional landscaping and lighting, it pays tribute to classic architecture in a charming backyard escape.
Micro Winery Guest House
Clad in traditional barn siding and finishes, this rustic yet attractive guest house forms the perfect combination of function and aesthetics for a small working winery. Distinctively pitched roofs shelter an open floor plan hosting either visitors, workers or overflow for larger events. Craft detailing inside and out lend an artisanal atmosphere befitting its agricultural surroundings.
Cozy Pavilion
Welcome relaxation awaits in this secluded mahogany pavilion, a peaceful oasis hidden at the far edge of a shaded yard. Offering relief from rain, sun or insects through sliding walls, the tiny enclosed deck shelters simple furniture and lighting. Future additions like a small fridge could transform this reading nook into occasional overnight accommodations far from any big house bustle.
Treehouse Haven
For adventurous types, what host could top a treetop escape? Crafted from durable columns and platforms, this whimsical treehouse floats among forest branches as if grown not built. Private sleeping quarters perched high offer front-row views of the woodland unfolding below through strategically placed windows. Rustic details add character perfect for those who prefer nature near and a stairway to the sky.
