Your ADU may seem small, but that doesn’t mean it’s cluttered! With a few tricks and tips, your tenants will comfortably live in their new space without feeling like they’re being overwhelmed by the limited space.
Here are a few ideas to make your ADU the perfect home:
For more on how to get the most out of your ADU, check out our blog page here!
Think Vertical for Your ADU
There is plenty of unutilized potential in the highest few feet of your walls so why not use it? Find a tall bookshelf that reaches your ceiling or install shelves leading up to the very top.
Consider putting decorations or items that you rarely use in those spaces. That way your essentials are still within reach.
Think of ways you can draw the eye upward. Creating vertical lines in the space will make it feel taller.
Also, if you’re building your ADU from scratch pay attention to your max build height. Vaulting ceilings or raising your ceiling height doesn’t cost much when you’re building new construction, but it makes a huge difference in the feel of a space.
Ottomans are Practical and Add Valuable Storage
Ottomans are great for inconspicuous storage and they serve a comfort purpose too!
They offer additional space and a comfortable place to rest your feet after a long day.
When you have guests over, your ottoman can act as an additional seat and your visitor will be none the wiser that they are really sitting on a storage box.
An ottoman also adds that special touch of personality to your interior.
Fold-Down Tables Are Your Friend
Credit: Ana White – Pinterest
You’re not always going to be using your dining table, so put it away when it’s not necessary.
This handy table is attached to the wall with hinges. When you need to use it, just detach it from the wall and unfold the legs underneath it. Putting it away is as easy as reversing those steps.
Now you have extra space for when your meal is complete and it’s time to kick back in your cozy ADU.
Some homeowners also put their dining table on wheels so that it can be rolled into different areas and utilized for different types of uses.
Install Cabinets Everywhere in Your ADU
When your building your ADU, having adequate storage is essential to keep your space neat and tidy.
Luckily, cabinets come in all shapes and sizes and we’re confident you can find one that fits even the tightest of spaces.
A cabinet can be put above your stove in the kitchen, in your bathroom for your extra toiletries, or in the living room for games and other knick-knacks. A cabinet hides away your things in a sleek way and better yet, you can customize them to fit your decor.
Not sure where to start your project or looking for more ideas? Let Maxable help with a free phone consultation.
Pocket Doors Are Life Savers in Small Spaces
You may not think that your door can take up that much space, but you’d be surprised. Think about all that space that gets taken up when your door is ajar.
Pocket doors, on the other hand, slide right into the wall, eliminating the need for it to swing open.
Not only does this increase the usable square footage of your home, but it also adds an air of openness.
Check Out Tankless Water Heaters
Conventional water heaters can range from $500 to $5,000. Not only is this uneconomic for most households but also takes up a sizable amount of space.
Eliminate the frustration and invest in a tankless water heater. They cost a mere $250 and can heat up the water for your whole unit.
Futons or Daybeds Serve Two Purposes
Credit: Amazon
A bed is another one of those massive furniture pieces that are only utilized for short periods of time out of the day, so why have it out at all hours?
A futon is essentially two furniture pieces in one. Fold the futon into a couch during the day or when you have guests. Easily convert it back into a bed when you’re ready to go to sleep.
This is especially a great idea if you intend for your ADU to have a studio layout. Depending on how your futon is folded, it can really transform the feel of your space to reflect it’s intended use for the moment.
Hang Your Dishes
Most modern-day kitchen tools and utensils come with handles and notches so why not use them to their advantage?
Don’t take up valuable cabinet space and instead hang your dishes. This also allows easier access to whatever you may need rather than digging through your cabinets.
Save space and make your look kitchen unique and professional!
Hooked on Hooks
Hooks don’t just have to stay in the kitchen either! Hooks are great for hanging everything from clothing to toiletries.
Adorn your walls with your accessories to make up for small closet space and add some flair to your walls. This way, all of your hats, necklaces, and coats will be easily in reach.
Hang planters and succulents to give your ADU a fresh aesthetic.
Keep your cords out of the way and in control by keeping them organized with hooks.
Hang your shower caddy on the wall in the bathroom to keep toiletries out of the way when you don’t need them.
Office Organizers
Your office supplies and organizers don’t just serve one purpose. There are plenty of uses for those materials that are made for keeping you organized. Make your ADU neat, cost-effective, and fun!
- Binder clips can keep your wires tangle-free and easily accessible
- Magazine holders can hold long tools and are easy to store
- Use thumbtacks to hang things on walls with minimal damage
- Store your plates and cutting boards in a file stand in your kitchen
- Clip your photos and memorabilia to mounted clipboards and easily change them whenever you’d like
Store Under Your Bed
Credit: Core77
Underneath the bed is another place that rarely gets used but is a great place to store things as well.
If that space is a little short, you can give it a lift with risers that attach to the legs of your bed frame. Some even come with electric plugs as an added benefit.
Invest in boxes that fit underneath to store anything that you’d like.
Bookshelves for Everything
Bookshelves aren’t just for books either! They’re a great way to maximize your space and increase storage without having to drill holes into your walls for shelves.
Boxes, again, will keep everything organized on your new bookshelves. Feel free to personalize them in any way you’d like to fit the theme of your ADU.
Big Windows & Natural Light Will Make a Small Space Feel Larger
This isn’t necessarily a space saving idea, but it is a great way to make your new home feel open and roomier.
If possible, include as many windows and skylights as you can in your ADU even if they don’t necessarily offer the best view. The natural lighting will still give your environment the illusion of a much larger space.
Windows can also reduce your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) costs which will be a great relief to you and/or your tenants.
Not to mention, windows can also greatly increase the value of your ADU.
Plan, hire, and manage your ADU project with Maxable.
At Maxable, we believe that building an ADU should be fun and exciting. You shouldn’t have to be the one to deal with confusing obstacles like permitting snafus or ever-changing regulations. We’ll be by your side every step of the way and connect you to experienced designers and general contractors in your area to make sure your project goes as smoothly as possible.
Leave the headaches to us! Check your address and see what Maxable can do for your home during a free ADU Planning Call.
