4 versatile backyard cottages offer ideas for maximizing space

Whether you have a full house, visiting overnighters, or kids of any age, the backyard cottage is your friend. Not only does it offer breathing space and privacy, but it also has the feeling of an escape, even if it’s only a few steps away from the main house. All the better if it is flexible enough to serve multiple purposes.

The four outbuildings below—whether you call them guest houses, studios, utility units, or something else—offer plenty of ideas for how to fit work, play, sleep, and dining into a small space without creating a tight squeeze. Take a look, and if you have your own backyard cottage, tell us about it in the comments.