The Brilliant Layouts in These Tiny ADUs Make Them Feel Like Cozy (Not Cramped!) Cocoons

As the price of homeownership and even traditional rental units continues to skyrocket in many areas across the country, more and more people are turning to alternative solutions. Things like tiny homes, shipping containers, and even granny flats are becoming increasingly common. In many cases, these smaller homes can be found on the same property as larger, more traditional homes, either as rentals or simply additional space for various purposes. 

These spaces are often called ADUs, or accessory dwelling units. You might be wondering: What is an accessory dwelling unit? It’s a secondary space sometimes used for guests, as a home office, exercise studio, or other purpose, on the same property as a main house. ADUs can increase the value of a property, according to Jeremy Nova, cofounder and creative director of Studio Shed, a maker of turnkey modern sheds and backyard studios. That makes them a win-win for those looking for more space without moving to a larger, more expensive home. 

Even though there are several benefits from these smaller spaces, the layouts can pose some design challenges as they’re trickier. That’s why I pulled some creative, gorgeous ADU examples designed by and for real people. Keep reading to find your ADU inspiration. 

Real estate — both owning and renting — in California is notoriously tough. That’s why Rose Adele feels so fortunate to have found this adorable 500-square-foot ADU in sought-after Monterey. Rose hung a white curtain on the see-through bookshelf that divides the living space and bedroom to create separate areas while also getting privacy. There’s also a cohesive vibe throughout, which is decidedly coastal chic. Muted tones of whites and blues blend with natural wood tones and neutral decor for a relaxing, airy feel. 

See how white ceiling beams make this ADU seem much bigger than it is in the full House Tour.  

Idaho homeowners Allison Green and Dan Theriault have long dreamed of building a sustainable dwelling space. So, when the opportunity arose, they created a passive solar ADU with hay bales on three sides. Lime plaster covers the hay bales, and a south-facing wall of windows supplies the home with light and warmth. A ladder leads to a somewhat open balcony where the couple’s private sleeping quarters are. This passive solar living space is the realization of many of the couples’ goals. “We’ve been interested in natural building for many years, so this project is the culmination of a dream,” Allison says. 

Check out how the two levels make this ADU feel so spacious in the full House Tour. 

Emily Anderson and her husband, Paul Davis, wasted no time renovating a quirky, funky garage located behind their home into an ADU. This Portland, Oregon, couple immediately saw the potential in the garage, which “had good bones but was just an empty square box, really,” Emily said at the time of the tour. 

Despite amazing rustic beams, the space had limited windows, so most light filters in from skylights above. To offset this, the couple chose white paint throughout, with the hunter-green kitchen cabinetry providing a unique contrast. Natural wood tones channel an organic countryside vibe that Emily wanted to incorporate from growing up in Mendocino County, California. 

Explore more of how the skylights make this ADU feel larger in the full House Tour. 

It can be said that the 900-square-foot ADU owned by Hannah Casparian, a baker, chef, food stylist, and dietitian, was a total labor of love. Every inch of the home is filled with vintage finds she’s collected from travels with family, making the layout feel larger. Hannah took advantage of the walls, whether in the multiple gallery walls or extending the kitchen storage almost to the ceiling; the hanging knickknacks draw your eye upwards, making the rooms feel taller. 

Get a sense of the maximalist vibe of Hannah’s backyard ADU in the full House Tour. 

Denise Bayron’s 280-square-foot ADU won the Apartment Therapy’s Small/Cool contest in 2021 for the Tiny Home category. And it’s easy to see why. Using her knitwear designer and sewing pattern maker skills, Denise has created a light-filled paradise for herself and her many lush plants. Clever choices, like placing a perfectly fitting desk in the alcove, make this home feel more spacious than it might be. 

See more of Denise’s light-filled ADU in the full House Tour. 

Sometimes figuring out the layout of a small space can feel like a game of Tetris — so much necessary furniture and such limited space. However, Michelle Dew, a virtual interior decorator and owner of the site Cultivate Your Space, put her talents to good use in the 550-square-foot ADU she calls home. Michelle’s layout feels so spacious because she placed most of the furniture up against walls and in the corners. This choice made her have an open, airy area in the middle, making the place seem bigger. 

Check out how she got an extra 200 square feet through thoughtful planning in the  full House Tour. 

When an old, broken-down cinder block garage couldn’t meet their needs, Diana Pasquali and her family tore it down and built a tiny ADU from the ground up. They used the same footprint to avoid a hassle with city zoning regulations, which meant their ADU would be only 280 square feet. But their use of windows, white paint on the walls and rafters, and a coastal minimalist aesthetic leaves guests wanting for nothing as they enjoy the light-filled space, which feels like an extension of the garden that surrounds it. 

Look harder at this minimalist ADU in the full House Tour.