Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can be tricky to develop. You need to consider the needs of your future tenants while also making sure the space meets all the requirements set forth by the city.
But with a few simple tips, you can create effective and efficient ADU plans. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Think About the Layout of Your ADU
The layout of your ADU is important for a few reasons. How do you want the space to flow? What are your must-have features? Think about how you want your ADU to function and what kind of layout best suits your needs.
For example, if you're planning on having a kitchen in your ADU, you'll need to think about where the appliances will go and how much counter space you'll need. The same goes for the bathroom. You'll need to consider the placement of fixtures like the sink, toilet, and shower.
The layout is important not just for functionality but also for aesthetics. You want your ADU to look good, so take some time to think about how you want the space to look and feel. The floor plan will be a big part of that.
Another thing to consider is the furniture. Where will you put the couch? The bed? The coffee table? Think about how you want to arrange the furniture and what kind of layout will work best for your ADU. You can always change the layout later if it comes to that, so don't stress too much about getting it perfect from the start.
Once you know what you want, it's time to start sketching out your ADU floor plan. But if you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of ADU floor plan templates online that you can use for inspiration. Just do a quick search, and you'll find tons of options. Or, if you want something a little more custom, you can always hire an architect or designer to help you create the perfect ADU floor plan.
Consider the Size of Your ADU
When you're thinking about the size of your ADU, there are a few things to keep in mind. How many rooms do you need? What is the maximum square footage you can work with? How tall do you want the ceilings to be?
The size of your ADU will also dictate how much natural light you can get. If you're planning on having a lot of windows, you'll need to make sure the ADU is big enough to accommodate them. The same goes for doors.
You will also need to leave enough space for common areas like the living room, kitchen, and bathroom(s). The ADU needs to fit within the confines of your property, so make sure to leave enough space for any other structures you might have, like a garage or shed.
Keep in mind that the size of your ADU will also impact the cost. The bigger the ADU, the more it will cost to build. So, if you're working on a tight budget, you'll probably need to scale back on the size of your ADU.