Designing for small living spaces requires creativity and practicality. The challenge of crafting a functional and aesthetically pleasing living space within a limited square footage has led to the emergence of innovative design principles that you can leverage to make your Tiny Home or ADU feel remarkably spacious. Here are a few ways to employ them, tailored specifically for house-hackers, DIY builders, and real estate visionaries with a passion for turning small spaces into income generators

Open Concept, FTW

The concept of open layouts is a small space designer’s best friend. One layout Derek has perfected over time consists of a simple rectangle with an open floor plan designed to maximize natural light and elevate the overall ambiance. A single wall galley kitchen where cooking, plumbing, and mechanical infrastructure gets strategically located along a single wall (a cost savings measure) is set opposite to a bedroom that can be closed off using a pocket door. Pocket doors allow for privacy when needed, but when open, they improve sightlines and create the feeling of spaciousness by allowing sunshine to pour in from all sides.

Vaulted Ceilings: Elevating Space

Vaulted ceilings are a key architectural feature that can instantly transform a cramped interior into an expansive haven. By emphasizing vertical space, vaulted ceilings draw the eye upward, creating a sense of openness and grandeur. The upward sweep of the ceiling not only adds visual interest but also enhances natural light distribution. This effect is particularly impactful in small living spaces, where every inch matters. The additional height also allows for creative storage solutions, such as lofted storage areas, optimizing the use of space while maintaining an airy atmosphere. Derek is a huge fan of the storage loft, a necessity for him in each project and always accompanied by a quick and easy-to-build DIY ladder. Watch: How To Build A Custom Loft Ladder For Your A Frame Cabin, Tiny House or ADU.

Color Palette and Tiny Home Vibes: The right colors can transform your ADU into a cozy retreat 

Choosing the right color palette is fundamental in small space design. Light, neutral hues, such as soft whites, pale creams, and gentle greys, play a pivotal role in creating an illusion of expansiveness. These colors reflect natural and artificial light, brightening the space and erasing the boundaries between walls. A light palette not only visually enlarges the area but also imparts an elegant and timeless ambiance. Integrate subtle variations in shades to add depth and prevent monotony, keeping the interior engaging and inviting.

Strategic Windows: Framing Space

Windows are more than mere openings; they are strategic design elements that can dramatically impact the perception of space. Integrating windows on every wall floods the interior with abundant natural light, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and casting away shadows that can make a room feel closed-in. Moreover, thoughtfully positioned windows create a visual connection with the outdoors, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces. You can also consider incorporating a sliding patio door. The wide patio door not only enhances the view but also tricks the eye into perceiving the interior as larger than it actually is.

As the ADU trend continues to spread from Oregon and California out across the US and abroad, it’s crucial to wield these design principles with precision to create living spaces that defy their physical limitations. Vaulted ceilings, light palettes, and windows that open up the interior are instrumental in making a small living space feel expansive and inviting. By embracing open-concept layouts, you can craft a home that embodies both comfort and style. So, whether you’re a seasoned builder or a passionate DIY enthusiast, these principles offer a blueprint for embracing the ADU movement and designing small living spaces that truly shine.

Transcript

Good day, ADU enthusiasts! Derek That ADU Guy here taking a minute to talk about zoning.

The very first step in the ADU process is calling your planning department and asking if you can build an accessory dwelling unit at your address.

Time and time again I see folks go out, they get a designer, they find a builder, they spend thousands of dollars to come up with an awesome plan just to go down and find out that there’s no allowable use in their zone. So the very first place that you need to be starting is with your community development department. A phone call, an email… you can do the homework yourself. You can go into the code and you can look at zoning maps, but it’s a lot easier if you just send an email or call.

This question comes up a lot: “what is the order of operations?”

A lot of people say well, budgeting is more important. You need to make sure that you can finance an ADU before you do any of the planning work, or before you do any of the zoning work. I disagree and I’ll tell you why.

If you have a spot in your town or county or municipality where you can build an accessory dwelling unit — it’s as an allowable use in your backyard — but you don’t have the financing there are avenues to find financing. Whereas, in the opposite argument, if somebody says you need to start with budget and you need to go through the whole process of getting pre-approved for the money, no matter what (even if you have money in-hand), if it’s not an allowable use in your zone, you’ve wasted your time.

So I always coach people with the simple starting process of going down to, or calling, or emailing your local planning office to ask directly if you can do an ADU in your front yard, backyard, side yard or incorporated as a part attached to your primary house.

Hope that helps. Again, the starting point is call your local planning and zoning office. Thanks for your time. Hope everybody’s having a good day!