Much ado about ADUs: Maximum light in a multipurpose space

An extra space outside the main home can be light, bright, cozy and available for everything from a home office to a guest suite. It’s perfect for an artist’s studio or a space for parents or young adults to land. But how do you make a shed-sized spot feel like home? Start with the design.

Daniel Builders won the 2023 Bridge Award for Best Accessory Dwelling Unit with an airy, inviting, multipurpose space that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Sam Parkinson, Project Manager for Daniel Builders, says an ADU can be used for many different needs. In the case of their award-winning project, it combines an office space with a guest space for family and friends visiting from out of town.

“You can also use them for mother-in-law suites, or some people use them for game rooms or for man caves,” he says. “There are all kinds of different reasons people build them.”

From a builder perspective, Parkinson says cottage-sized spaces are fun to create.

“You run through all the phases of construction on a much bigger project, it's just in a small form,” he says. “They go up pretty quick and you just get that quick satisfaction.”

This space features a full bathroom, a queen-sized bed and a kitchenette.

Cindy Jacques with Buttercup Designs worked on the ADU to create a quiet, welcoming space. It even includes an inviting front porch. She says the homeowners were inspired by photos and another accessory unit they had visited, which helped shape their vision for a peaceful, useful 375 square feet.

“It turned out to be a super cute, functional space,” Jacques says.

Light was a key element of the design, along with durable finishes that are easy to keep clean.

“The windows are lower and larger than you typically would see, especially in a place that small – just to really let a lot of natural light in,” Jacques says. “Everything is very light and bright. The paints are very light and bright, the wood is very light, and all of that was intentional to keep things feeling larger than they are, because it's not a big space. But because of the ceiling height being taller and everything being much lighter as far as the finishes, it just feels like a lot bigger space on the inside than it actually is.”

Learn more at danielbuilders.com.

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This article originally appeared on Upstate Parent: Much ado about ADUs: Maximum light in a multipurpose space