What Is a Bunkie? (And How is it Different Than a Full-Time House)

A bunkie is a small cabin for extra space on a cottage or home property. A bunkie is multi-purpose and can be used as a getaway, or for guests to stay in overnight, an office, an Airbnb, a kids playhouse, an art studio, a retreat on your property, or anything you need extra space for.

In Canada and USA, we recommend checking with your municipality to see what size outbuilding best fits on your property. This varies by region. Here is our Bunkie Comparison Chart (by size).

Usually, a bunkie does not have a kitchen or bathroom, because this would require plumbing which generally requires a permit. However, some folks have found self-contained kitchenettes and composting or incinerating toilets work well without adding plumbing. 

The term bunkie originated from the word “bunkhouses”, small cabins built by farmers for seasonal employees in Ontario, Canada. In the 1960’s, the word bunkie soon became a popular term used by owners of cottages in the region of Muskoka, Ontario to describe small cabins they built for extra guests to stay in overnight. As a result, cottagers have been using the affectionate term “bunkie” for many years, to describe a small cabin for extra guests. 

Bunkies have now evolved to have so many more uses, as you can see here with our happy clients.