11 Best Small Guest House Design Ideas

backyard guest house

Planning and constructing a backyard guest house can be a time-consuming but fulfilling task. Whether you plan to use it as an extra living space or to offer guests comfortable and convenient accommodation, creating the perfect backyard guest house involves taking plenty of things into consideration. Making decisions about location, budgeting for materials and labor, and choosing styles and designs that suit your home aesthetic – it all takes careful planning. But when done right, the result is nothing short of spectacular; a backyard guest house that fits perfectly in with the existing landscape and makes outdoor living quite simply incomparable with any other dwelling. With patience and thoughtful planning prior to construction commencement, homeowners can design their perfect backyard getaway without compromising on quality or safety standards!

The Ultimate Guide to Building a Backyard Guest House

As the construction phase nears completion, the interior finishing touches breathe life into your backyard guest house, infusing it with warmth, style, and functionality. From flooring and wall treatments to cabinetry and fixtures, the interior finishing stage presents an opportunity to express your design preferences while creating a comfortable and visually appealing living space. Furthermore, backyard guest houses can enhance the property’s value and aesthetic appeal, transforming it into a multi-functional outdoor retreat. Each facet of this process has contributed to shaping a welcoming and functional space that harmonizes with your lifestyle and enhances the appeal of your property.

backyard guest house

Whimsical and Charming Guest Cottage

There's no need to hire a crew to tear down any part of your existing structure and no in-home "disaster area" to navigate during construction. Whereas you might devise a home addition with a specific purpose in mind, the adaptable nature of our stand-alone units allow you to use them for almost anything you have in mind. And while escapism with family and friends is all well and good, many enthusiastic owners of outbuildings love them for the solitude they afford. That was the case for a combination office/guest house which architect Ryan Street devised for clients in Austin, Texas. You finally have land for a rustic escape, or maybe you’re thinking of a quaint guest house or a small cottage kit.

backyard guest house

Contemporary Prefab Cabin

When preparing to build the guest house in the backyard, it is important to understand the project timeline. Asking a professional for an estimated completion date is important, especially when planning inspections for the home. Adding a guest suite to your backyard is an investment, and the cost before construction can vary. The cost of the guest house will depend on the size, material used, permits, and other fees and features you add to it. Converting existing structures can be like a garage, large shed, or even a barn into a backyard home.

Modern Backyard Offices, Studios And Guest Houses

Then, off that main area will be a door to a small bathroom and another to the bedroom. This type of guest house layout resembles a standard one-bedroom or studio apartment. You want to find a good location for your guest house to provide guests with privacy while still being easy to access. Work with your clients to check out their property and decide on the right location. One of the main benefits of converting an existing structure is that it can be much less expensive than building a new one from scratch.

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A modular guest house takes this convenience further because each structure or module consists of the essential components that make up a specific area. These components may include electrical outlets, closets, doors, and plumbing. Accessibility is important because you want to ensure the guest can enter the area quickly and without obstacles. On the other hand, you will want to make sure there are roads or pathways leading up to the house that have light so people can walk or drive comfortably and safely to the home.

The kitchen boasts a marble-top island and state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances. A small dining table sits near one the homes many large windows — it could also double as a workspace. Once visitors get a glimpse of the interior, they’ll certainly want to consider extending their stay. This modern backyard home office for a writer was built to replace an old garden shed. This prefab backyard home office is covered in wood and black trim surrounds the windows and sliding door.

Planning Your Perfect Backyard Guest House

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It also helps reduce overcrowding in the main house, allowing everyone in the household more breathing room. As well as looking at practical factors, there may also be certain landscape features that can help dictate where your backyard guest house should go, such as hillsides or trees that could offer shade in the summertime. If there are areas like this on your property, then using them could be beneficial in helping create a more pleasant environment for guests. In addition, look out for any potential hazards, such as low-hanging branches or uneven ground, which could cause issues further down the line, so these should be dealt with before the building commences. The size of your guest house should be determined by how many people will be staying in it.

Convert an Existing Structure

For example, if you’re just expecting one person or a couple at a time, then a small studio apartment with an attached bathroom is probably enough. However, if you’re expecting larger groups of people or multiple guests at once, then you should consider building something larger that can accommodate them all. It’s important to also consider the size restrictions in your area when determining the size of your guest house—zoning laws may limit the number of square feet you can build on your property. Set it up as a guest house, a garden room, or an artist’ studio that is a peaceful space to enjoy. Building a custom backyard guest house gives you and the clients the most control over the design and layout of this new space. The process of building a custom guest house is the same as a regular home in most cases.

It is important to consider size regulations in your area to determine the size of your house, as well as zoning laws that may limit the property's square footage. Whether you are searching for an additional room or space for a guest, designing and drawing up your plans is essential. The national average to build an on-site home is $100 to $200 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor, so the cost for a 600-square-foot one-bedroom guest apartment would start at $60,000. A 150-square-foot single-room cabin with just sleeping quarters could be as little as $15,000, but building a structure that small will rarely give you a good return on investment.

"The walk-in shower already has bracing in the walls, so we can install grab bars easily. All the way down to lever handles on the sink faucet, which is easier to operate if you have limited mobility in your hands." Creating distinct rooms in an open floor-plan home can be challenging, but Crha was more than up to the task. "I used the loveseat's high back to serve as a visual separation between the sleeping space and the living area," the designer says. "I was shopping at a vintage store in Long Beach, California, and came across the vintage silk screen printing panel hanging in the entryway," the interior designer explains.

The average cost per square foot to build a home ranges from $100-$200 per square foot. That means a 500-square-foot guest house would likely cost at least $50,000 to build. They’re great for hosting guests over a long weekend and can provide some much-needed extra living space. They offer your guests more privacy and comfort than just a spare bedroom. Although some pieces in the guest house are vintage and others are custom, there are budget-friendly buys in the mix as well.

Once you have a clear understanding of zoning regulations, consider the practical aspects of your guest house, such as its layout, orientation, and accessibility. Take into account the existing landscape and how the new structure will integrate harmoniously with the surroundings. Additionally, consider the utilities and amenities you plan to include, such as plumbing, electrical connections, and heating/cooling systems.

When selecting exterior materials, prioritize durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance to ensure the longevity and appeal of the guest house. Certain landscape features, such as trees and hills, will help dictate where your guest house will go. If these areas are on your property, they can either make it more beneficial to build there or make it hazardous, so determining whether the landscape in the area is good for the house is essential.

This would be either a concrete slab (average starting cost is $4 per square foot) or a pier and beam foundation (average $5 per square foot). For a 600-square-foot cottage, a foundation will cost at least $2,400, but can vary greatly. HomeGuide puts the average cost for a concrete foundation of this size at $3,846. Additionally, attention to detail in elements such as entryways, windows, and exterior lighting enhances the guest house’s curb appeal and creates a welcoming first impression. Thoughtfully selected entry doors, well-positioned windows that capture scenic views, and strategically placed exterior lighting fixtures contribute to the overall allure of the guest house.

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