How to Build a Bunkie for Cabin Guests

The House that Cedar Fixed

Cottage Country Makeover You Won’t Want to Miss – Episode 2: “The Funky Bunkie”

Want to know how to build a Bunkie for cabin guests? Follow Colin & Justin in this exclusive Real Cedar web series, as the dynamic design duo transforms a dated 1980s, Ontario cabin into a luxury lakeside wilderness lodge. In order to add value to their property and enhance their cabin-living experience, they’re incorporating inspired applications of Western Red Cedar into their renovations, which include a revamped interior as well as the addition of a sunroom, pergolas and a gorgeous 2,500 square-foot wraparound cedar deck. And in keeping with cottage tradition, they’ve added a funky Bunkie. Here’s how that cabin addition went:

Building Guest Accommodations

Like most people, Colin and Justin the best of both worlds. They want guest accommodations for family and friends to visit them at their cabin….but they don’t necessarily want them all packed in under the same roof. The solution? A Bunkie. But not just any Bunkie.

“We’re putting together what we think will be the last word in luxury guest accommodations,” says Justin. “Composed significantly from 8 x 8, pure 100% unadulterated Real Cedar, it’s going to be next level fantastic.”

Colin agrees: “In terms of guest accommodation, I think it doesn’t get any better than this. I want this to have a wonderful sense of connection, proximity to nature and our guests will feel really, really special.”

A Cottage Tradition Done Right

In terms of how to build a bunkie, Colin & Justin suggest making it architecturally significant. Most of the structures on the cabin makeover including the main cottage and sunroom, have shallow A-frame roofs, so for the Bunkie, they wanted to do something a little different: a dramatic sloping roof set at a steep pitch toward the lake. They also didn’t want just hits of cedar; they wanted all cedar, which made the build that much easier. That’s because Real Cedar is durable, yet surprisingly lightweight, so it’s easy to move around the site as well as easy to install, which helps cut down on labor costs.

“As designers, it was just a fantasy to watch it come together in such a short period of time – nothing short of miraculous,” says Justin, adding “almost like a game of Lincoln Logs or Janga.”

Benefits of Using Real Cedar Inside & Out

The result is a super cozy, Western Red Cedar two-bedroom lodge – complete with a living room and its own bathroom. Visiting friends and family members are really going to feel special staying there.

“Our bank balance is going to feel special as well because in terms of enhancing your property value, a structure like this really does pay dividends,” says Colin. So, it’s good for your guests, and good for your pocketbooks.”

Watch the full series here.