The Bunkie At the Lake
A once-simple sleeping space transformed into a cozy retreat where laughter, late-night games, and family memories come to life.
This little bunkie has brought our family so much joy. It was built using The Cottage Life Bunkie Plans (see link attached Bunkie-Plan.pdf - The Cottage Life ), and the project came together with a bit of luck and local wisdom. When we brought the plans into our local Timber Mart, the owner smiled—he had built the very same bunkie for his own kids and knew exactly what worked and what didn’t.
The project actually began back when my parents still owned the cottage. With three grandchildren—each with a handful of friends—and only two bedrooms, we were bursting at the seams. Tents were fine in theory, but when you live in a part of the world where blackflies and mosquitoes outnumber people (and possibly molecules), something had to change. A few of the men thought they could tackle the build themselves, but between time and know-how, it quickly became clear we needed help.
So, we hired a contractor. He got straight to work—framing the structure, laying shingles, and installing the windows and doors. Before long, the exterior was complete, and our dream of a cozy little guest space was finally taking shape.
Our days were numbered—the clock was ticking because my daughter had invited her entire hockey team to the cottage for her 10th birthday party. We needed sleeping space, and fast. We found two sets of solid wood bunk beds at Muskoka Furniture, along with a clever set of stairs to go between them. Each step doubles as a pull-out drawer, perfect for storing extra blankets and pajamas. The birthday weekend was a huge success—the girls were thrilled, and somehow, between the bunks and the loft, everyone found a spot to sleep.
The bunkie stayed just like that for almost fifteen years—no insulation, open trusses, and according to the kids, plenty of spiders. But as summers grew hotter and the kids grew older (and a little less enthusiastic about “roughing it”), we decided it was time to finally finish the interior. We added foam insulation board to the walls and ceiling to keep things warmer in the fall and cooler through the summer. Then we clad everything in beadboard paneling and painted it in Benjamin Moore Cloud White, giving the space a bright, cottagey feel while keeping its simple charm intact.
We carried the same design theme from the cottage into the bunkie—The Vintage Muskoka Print bedding from Simply Cottage in Bracebridge, Muskoka.
The pillows and linens are from Cuddle Down in Ottawa, Ontario, soft and timeless, just like the ones inside the main cottage.
For lighting, we added plug-in wall sconces from Amazon by IC Instant Coach in the Matte Black & Bronze Head finish. At just $58.89 for a set of two, I wasn’t expecting much—but they turned out to be a great find.
The quality is solid, the look fits perfectly with the rest of the space, and they cast just the right amount of light for reading without disturbing anyone else who’s trying to sleep.
At the end of each bunk, hanging neatly on the bed frame, are small cubbies that the kids fill with all of their personal “stuff.”
It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a difference—everyone has a spot for their own things, and it helps keep the space organized and clutter-free. These cubbies were also purchased from Muskoka Furniture in Bracebridge, tying everything together with the same quality and rustic charm.
Getting up into the loft is always a bit of an adventure. The kids climb up onto one of the bunk beds, then hoist themselves into the loft from there. It’s become the official game zone—everything from Monopoly to Skip-Bo happens up there. We used two sleeping cubes, rolled them out side by side, and covered them with a queen fitted sheet to keep them together. Then we topped it with lots of blankets.
The result is a cozy, comfortable nook that’s perfect for lounging, reading, or a late-night card game. It’s easily the most popular spot in the bunkie.
What started as a simple solution for extra sleeping space has become one of the most loved spots at the lake.
The bunkie has seen birthday parties, late-night giggles, and quiet morning coffee on the steps. It’s where cousins bond, friends gather, and memories continue to grow. Finishing it after all these years feels like the closing of one chapter and the start of another—a reminder that even the smallest spaces can hold the biggest stories.
Until next time,
