Whether you have a full house, have guests who like to stay the night, or have kids of any age, a backyard cottage is your friend. Not only does it provide breathing space and privacy, but it also has the feel of an escape, even if it’s just a short walk from the main house. It would be even better if it was flexible enough to serve multiple purposes.
The four outbuildings below — whether you call them guesthouses, studios, accessory dwelling units or something else — offer plenty of ideas for how to create spaces to work, play, sleep, and eat in a small footprint without the clutter. Be included. Take a look, and if you have your own backyard cottage, please tell us about it in the comments.