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Considering building an ADU in your backyard ? Here ’s all you need to know about the operation , from three Airbnb hosts who did it themselves .
If you ’ve ever consider building or buying an ADU , you ’re not alone — they’re adorable , practical , and potentially profitable . Accessory dwelling units , or ADUs , are whippy spaces that are unadulterated for large families , work - from - home hideaways , Airbnb rentals , or a compounding of all three . localise apart from a detached exclusive - house habitation , or gather into an upper layer of a garage , an ADU is the stark private getaway , just steps away from your front door .
Credit:Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden/ Melissa Habegger Photo
Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden/ Melissa Habegger Photo
As sorcerous as they are , the prospect of building one might experience daunting . If you ’re in the market for an ADU — or simply want some belittled - place design inspiration — you’re in the right place . We speak to three ADU possessor ( and Airbnb host ! ) to get the inner scoop on what drop dead into designing and establish these cute and compact homes .
Modern Serene Studio/ Courtesy of the Airbnb Community
Credit:Modern Serene Studio/ Courtesy of the Airbnb Community
Why Should You Build an ADU?
wonder if an ADU is veracious for you ? One cause to make the move is a need for versatile space — an ADU can serve so many different purpose for the same folk .
“ In the future we might change how we use the space — perhaps it will be a teen flow out spot when our kids are older , or a full - time office infinite , which is how we used it during the pandemic , ” says Diana , who owns abright and spacious ADU Airbnb in Oakland , California . “ It ’s great how flexible it is , and , as much as I love my parents , it ’s so skillful when they ’re visit that they can say goodnight and go across the backyard to their own private invitee quad . ”
by from providing some much needed space , ADUs can be profitable , too . Kimberly , who owns asmall yet dreamy ADU Airbnb in Atlanta , say that it has generated additional income , increased herproperty ’s overall value , and proved to be more cost - effective than a home plate plus .
Credit:Tiny A-frame Home + Queen Bed + Block to Ponce/ Michael Stewart
“ Adding an ADU to your belongings is like having your own secret oasis , complete with a freestanding entrance and amenities , ” say Kimberly . “ It ’s like induce your very own tiny realm ! And unlike an addition to your home , you may rent out your ADU and become a landlord , so you may finally live out your dreaming of being a real landed estate mogul ( or at least , pretend to be one ) . ”
What to Know Before You Start
Before you start make , there ’s a few things to keep in thinker to ensure your ADU is legal , safe , and quick for use . Here ’s what ADU Airbnb server commend :
Check Your Area’s Zoning Laws
Before construction , verify you ’re allowed to — district laws are unlike from city to city and state to state , and the last matter you want is to find that out when you have a half - built ADU on your dimension . Some locating have size and hire restriction that should inform the rest of your design process .
On the other hand , the convention are less restrictive for ADUs in some places , meaning it could be much easier to add one to your property than it would be to build an addition to your home . Learning about your area ’s zone laws might just be the terminal push you need to decide to go the ADU road .
“ While they may not be the most exciting part of build an ADU , call back of it as a treasure hunt ! ” say Kimberly . “ You get to go on a dotty bozo pursuit to find out what rules and regulation apply to your holding , and when you at last bring home the bacon , you get the satisfaction of have it off that you ’ve stamp down the bureaucratism fauna . ”
Credit:Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden/ Melissa Habegger Photo
Safety First
Perhaps most significantly , do n’t forget to see refuge beat — from the primary design stage all the way to the finishing touches . Simple feature of speech like smoke and C monoxide detectors , fire extinguishers , and ample emergency exit can make the difference when it matters most , say Kimberly .
Top Design Tips From ADU Owners
There ’s a lot that goes into designing an ADU , particularly because they ’re humble than most houses , and are on the same plot as your home . Luckily , these three Airbnb owners are here to share the tip and tricks they ’ve con along the way .
Tiny A - frame Home + Queen Bed + Block to Ponce/ Michael Stewart
Work With Your Small Space
Because you ’re likely working with a smaller area than you ’re used to , it ’s of import to be mindful about optimise the space you do have . Kimberly say you should come after the classic construction rule of thumb when it comes to ADU trading floor plans and furniture : Measure twice and buy once .
“ Each room and each region has to be both highly defined and uniquely approachable without being overly grace or filled with furniture , ” says Kimberly . “ The last thing you require is a sofa that is too self-aggrandising for your living area , or a dining table that is too big for your dining area . ”
Storage Is Key
In a small space with switch use , cagy storage solution are essential to a comfy ( and unlittered ) stay . Kimberly intimate taking reward of perpendicular space by fall shelves and hooks , incorporating multi - use article of furniture with storehouse , building closets and drawers into the ADU ’s bodily structure , and avoiding smother at all cost .
Lean Into Lighting
inflammation is primal to creating a comfortable , esthetically pleasing ADU — and to making a small quad find less claustrophobic .
“ Maximize the interior place by adding height and as many windows as you could open , because sun makes a lowly blank feel larger , ” say Diana .
Windows , and the natural igniter they bring , are essential , but there are other creative ways to clear up up an ADU . Kimberly evoke mixing natural luminance with ambient and task light reparation , and says that installing fanlight above the bottom and in the toilet in her ADU really helped open up up the quad .
Credit:Tiny A-frame Home + Queen Bed + Block to Ponce/ Michael Stewart
If you do n’t have the option to add more light or windows , debate painting and decorate with light colors — an easy hack to make a blank space feel lighter and more wide . Also , in a pinch , mirrorswill reflect lighting around the ADU , feed the illusion of a big space .
Offer Thoughtful Amenities
Whether you ’re build an ADU for your family or for Airbnb guests , you ’ll want to ensure to provide everything that your visitors need to palpate comfortable , no matter how long their stay . Bathroom and kitchen agreeableness may seem obvious , but there are some things you wo n’t want to draw a blank if you want to void trips back and off from the master house — or out to the store .
carry the kitchen withpots , pan , utensils , and dishware makes a space tactile property like home , and adding counterpunch space andmodern appliancesensure your invitee do n’t have to leave the sign of the zodiac to find a full repast .
“ recall about the kind of magical experience YOU would like to have , and then set about with the end in head , ” say Kimberly .
Credit:Modern Serene Studio/ Courtesy of the Airbnb Community
Diana also suggests implementing the amenities you might discover in a luxury hotel way — a deep brown saloon , mini fridge , and fresh , white linens — to upgrade your guests ’ abide . Plus , ensure your visitant have a comfortable position to work remotely is an tote up fillip in this work - from - everywhere epoch , say Isabelle , who possess anAirbnb ADU in Austin .
Take Advantage of Outdoor Space
One of the perquisite of bringing an ADU into your backyard is the construct - in outside blank space that comes with it . A mini patio , balcony , or seating sphere adds morecomfortable livelihood spacefor guests , and can make a populace of remainder . Implementing outside lighting , too , will help you keep an eye on your blank space , and will make coming and go much sluttish for visitant .
Also , keep the garden in idea ! Kimberly say that an outdoor plant display can chop-chop become an ADU ’s effective supporter .
“ Because the outdoor place is believably going to be small , do n’t be afraid to go wild or experiment with your leafage options , ” she says . “ We habituate copious total of fern , wild ivy , flowers , plants , and other things to give the small outdoor place a woods / tropical vibe . ”
Credit:Tiny A-frame Home + Queen Bed + Block to Ponce/ Michael Stewart
Don’t Forget About Privacy
Something ADU wannabee often leave about is privacy — for guests and householder alike . Whether you install partition walls , low fence , gates , or room access , creating a roadblock between the ADU and your home will ensure that nobody intrudes upon anyone else ’s space .
“ Think about how the ADU can fit into your backyard and how you will enter and cash in one’s chips — we really value cause a separate private entrance to our backyard so that client can follow and go as they need , ” says Diana .
Diana also enunciate that her sept takes reward of a “ strategically located maple tree , ” and communicates with guests about when they take to utilize their deal backyard space . She says that she reserves her own Airbnb for a few weekend over the summer so that her family can take advantage of the space themselves — you should get the chance to enjoy your brand - new ADU , too .
Credit:Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden/ Melissa Habegger Photo
