18 Mother In Law Cottages You’ll Secretly Want For Yourself

Last updated on September 4, 2025

Check out our mother-in-law cottage designs, where backyard charm meets family harmony in the coziest of ways.

Once upon a time, my mother-in-law came to visit and never left. So, naturally, I built her a cottage out back.

You see, there’s something both charming and strategically brilliant about having your very own mother-in-law cottage. It’s like hosting a never-ending sleepover, but you each have your own fridge.

Charming Modern Cottage with a Splash of Sunshine

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Compact modern cottage with a bright yellow door
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Meet the cottage that’s cuter than your pet goldfish! This delightful little abode sports a modern design with vertical white siding and bold black accents. Its pièce de résistance?

A bright yellow door that’s practically singing, “Welcome to paradise!” The large rectangular windows, framed in wood, give the house a cheerful and open feeling, inviting sunlight to flood in. Surrounded by lush greenery and a patch of friendly flowers, it’s a perfect blend of nature and contemporary flair.

Quaint Abode With a Dash of Green

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Cozy cottage with a welcoming porch
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This delightful cottage showcases charming green shutters that pop against its classic white exterior. The front porch beckons visitors with a promise of lemonade and rocking chairs, ideal for lazy afternoons.

With its sleek metal roof and crisp lines, it whispers secrets of modern flair while embracing quaint tradition. It’s the kind of place where even Snow White might stop by for a cup of tea!

Cozy Cubby with a Splash of Monochrome

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Small white cottage with black trim and potted plants
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This charming little cottage is a monochrome marvel, boasting clean white siding sharply defined by sleek black trim. The crisp glass doors and windows invite you inside, while outside, a cozy patio and strategically placed potted plants anchor it right in the middle of suburbia.

Dreamy Dwelling with Evergreen Accents

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Charming small cottage with green shutters and welcoming porch
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A small, enchanting cottage stands proudly with its pristine white paneling and soothing green shutters, as if nature herself handpicked them. Its metal roof gleams like a freshly polished spoon, adding modern flair.

The inviting porch is perfect for sipping lemonade while contemplating life’s big mysteries—or just watching squirrels. Surrounding bushes and vibrant flora hint at a gardener with a creative touch, ready to rival even the most ambitious Pinterest boards.

A Cozy Gray Nest in the Woods

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Gray cottage with metal roof and flower boxes
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This delightful gray cottage stands proudly with a crisp metal roof, daring you not to admire its sleek style. Large windows adorn the front, playfully inviting the forest backdrop to peek inside.

Flower boxes burst joyously with colors, looking like they just attended the rainbow’s birthday party. Stone stepping stones meander whimsically through a lush green lawn, clearly dancing their way to the inviting front door.

Charming Retreat for the Architecturally Adventurous

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Brown and Black Cottage with a Symmetrical Facade
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This mother-in-law cottage proudly blends rustic charm with a modern twist, sporting sleek black accents and earthy beige siding. Its sharp A-frame roof and evenly spaced windows give it an air of tidy precision, hinting that even the wildest of family gatherings will be well-contained.

This delightful dwelling strikes a balance between playful elegance and sensible design, making it perfect for hosting those extended family stays where everyone brings one too many suitcases.

Delightful Dwelling with a Zest of Lemon

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Charming cottage with yellow door
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This enchanting cottage flaunts a cheerful yellow door, audaciously saying, “Hello!” to all passersby. It’s anchored on a solid brick base, giving it credence like a trusted grandparent’s advice.

Compact Cottage Oasis Amidst the Trees

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A charming cottage surrounded by lush greenery
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This delightful mini-cottage boasts a charming façade with a mix of horizontal and vertical sidings. Its understated grey tones harmonize beautifully with the lush forest backdrop, while the small black-framed windows lend a modern touch.

Nestled within a well-manicured garden, this architectural gem whispers serenity and tranquility. The inviting pathway beckons subtle footsteps, urging visitors to uncover the cozy secrets this home holds.

A Little Gem Amidst the Green Trees

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Charming white cottage with a step welcoming porch
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This delightful cottage stands proudly with its crisp white exterior and inviting porch, practically begging to host a gathering of friendly squirrels. The roof, adorned with neat shingles, complements the brick chimney that playfully hints at cozy winter evenings by the fire.

An Enchanting A-Frame Nest with a Hint of Sophistication

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White cottage with black roof nestled among trees
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This delightful abode boasts a crisp white exterior and a striking black roof, making it a show-stopper amid the leafy green surroundings. The tall, peaked gable gives it a fairy-tale charm, echoed by its picturesque chimney keeping watch like a stalwart sentinel.

Charming Cottage with a Poppy Red Door

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Cute cottage with a red front door at sunset
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This delightful cottage is a vision of modern charm with its striking red front door, which seems to whisper, “Knock if you dare.” The crisp white exterior siding paired with black trim around the large windows adds a dapper touch, making it the cottage equivalent of a little black dress—classy and chic.

A Snug Sanctuary Among the Pines

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Gray cottage with dark accents and flowerbeds
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This delightful small house boasts a chic gray exterior with stylish dark trim, exuding elegance and simplicity. Framed by tall pine trees, it charms with symmetrical windows and a quaint black door, which might just lead to Narnia or a well-stocked fridge.

The Rustic Retreat with Timber Touches

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Cozy two-story cottage with wooden accents
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A charming two-story cottage flaunts its modern yet rustic allure with warm timber accents that scream “nature-loving hipster haven.” The structure’s earthy brown siding blends perfectly with its wooden beams, making it look like a lumberjack’s dream come true.

A Vibrant Cottage with a Yellow Hello

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Charming blue cottage with a sunny yellow door
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This cheerful cottage sports a delightful blue facade, brightened by a sunny yellow front door that seems to say, “Welcome to happiness!” The tidy porch is adorned with wooden columns and topped with an inviting gable roof.

A Snazzy Nook with a Hint of Urban Chic

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A modern beige cottage with large windows and a tidy lawn
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This modern cottage flaunts a sleek, contemporary design with a flat roof and large, inviting windows that practically wink at passersby. The beige siding gives it a grounded, earthy feel, while the sharp white trim adds a touch of crisp elegance.

The front steps, adorned with cheerful potted plants, lead to a cozy porch that’s just begging for a rocking chair and a good book. Perched amidst a well-manicured lawn and tidy garden boxes, this tiny treasure would make any mother-in-law swoon—or perhaps never leave.

A Tiny Hideout with a Touch of Red Delight

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Compact cottage with metal roof and red trim
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This adorable cottage boasts a charming, compact design with a gleaming metal roof that seems to wink at the sky. Framed by bold red trim, the white façade stands proudly, channeling good vibes and cheer.

The welcoming porch is a perfect perch, clearly setting up an invitation for front porch sitting—lemonade in hand, naturally. Its small yet mighty presence brings an unexpected dash of joyful character to its surroundings.

A Chic, Charcoal Cabin with Colorful Blooms

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Gray cottage surrounded by vibrant flowers
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This sleek, gray cottage is a masterclass in modern simplicity nestled snugly in nature’s arms. The sharp metal roof could moonlight as a ski slope, and those pop-out windows, little rectangles of perfection, eye both flora and fauna curiously. The front porch?

Oh, just a charming spot to sip morning coffee amid the symphony of blooms playing in the front garden. It’s like the cottage decided, “Let’s go gray and not blend in!” but then invited flowers to the party for a splash of rainbow cheer.

Sunny Sanctuary Nestled in the Pines

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Charming yellow cottage with white accents
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This delightful yellow cottage, resembling a dollhouse dream, stands elevated on sturdy stilts like it’s on tiptoes. The cheerful facade is highlighted by crisp white accents and a sleek black front door that says, “Welcome to the sunshine club!” With its symmetrical design and inviting porch, this little treasure exudes an aura of warmth and charm, making it a perfect slice of happy tucked among the trees.

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