Cozy Scandinavian-Inspired ADU Doubles as a Workspace and Guesthouse

When they moved into their Oakland home, one family immediately identified the old garage in their backyard as the perfect spot for an ADU. They hoped the extra space would encourage faraway family and friends to visit more frequently, and otherwise, planned to use the ADU as a workspace. This wasn’t going to be any old guesthouse: the homeowners had a vision for a minimalist, Scandinavian-style studio ADU. But where to start?

After finding Cottage online, the homeowners were thrilled by how our designers immediately brought their vision to life. Inside and out, the Cottage team captured the simple, inviting aesthetic of Scandinavian design that the family was looking for. For the chosen materials, the white board-and-batten siding is clean and crisp, and the plywood walls in the interior give the space a distinctly natural feel. Two sets of doors – each accompanied by windows placed directly above – and ample skylights provide lots of natural light. And despite the small footprint of the ADU, the space still feels open and spacious, thanks to the murphy bed that easily lowers from the wall.

There were a few other key considerations for Cottage’s designers to take into account. First, the homeowner’s father uses a wheelchair, so they wanted the ADU to be accessible. Our team added a ramp leading to one set of doors, and designed an easily navigable curbless shower. Second, the family hoped to one day add in a loft sleeping area above the common space. Cottage’s design achieved the necessary height and dimensions for the ADU to easily accommodate a loft when the homeowners choose to do so.

As working professionals with two young children, the homeowners felt Cottage’s process allowed them the perfect level of involvement for their project. They achieved exactly what they wanted through Cottage’s collaborative design process, but didn’t need to get in the weeds of feasibility, permitting, and construction. Today, the homeowners use their ADU daily as a workspace and to host relatives and friends – just how they envisioned. The entire Cottage team is thrilled to have been able to make this family’s ADU dream come true!

At Cottage, we believe in providing homeowners the best ADU experience possible. From feasibility, to design, permitting, and construction, we're here to guide you through each step of the journey.

Interested in building a similar attached or detached ADU, or converting an existing garage space? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation & estimate for your ADU vision with one of our ADU experts!