Cozy El Cerrito 500 Square Foot Single Bedroom ADU

Bay Area homeowners often come to us with numerous ideas for the Accessory Dwelling Unit they are envisioning, hesitant to embark on a complex process, and looking for help to manage it from start to finish. Such was the case for this El Cerrito homeowner couple who wanted to build a 1 bedroom ADU rental unit in their backyard with distinct separation from the main home.

After attempting to work with a prefab ADU company, the couple was frustrated by the lack of communication and unexplained delays. They started looking for other options and came to Cottage for a second opinion. After a few conversations, it was clear that Cottage's custom approach to stick-built ADU construction dovetailed nicely with the homeowners' preferences and defined vision.

The proposed ADU site faces a private yard and allows for a clear separation between the new units and the existing backyard. Our client, a landscape architect by day, provided the vision for the patio entry and detailed feedback throughout the design process.

The homeowners opted for Hardie board siding to match the existing garage exterior, and a composition shingle roof to mirror the main house.

The Cottage Design team was keen on making the detached ADU space feel as cozy and spacious as possible without going beyond budget, and the open living room floor plan certainly checked off all those boxes.

The front door opens onto a modern kitchen and airy living room space, with an overhead skylight highlighting the open room with ample natural light. A desk nook separates the living space from large bedroom, with space for a king bed and ample storage.

The homeowners valued privacy: higher windows in the bathroom and bedroom strike the balance between privacy while letting in light. During Cottage's custom finishing process and with advice from our design team, the clients opted for a chic contemporary look for the interior spaces of the ADU.

One bedroom ADU spaces come in all shapes and sizes, from 500-square foot units like this El Cerrito ADU to both smaller and larger footprints. Cottage has experience working with homeowners' specific needs and constraints across a wide spectrum of design inspiration. Contact us today using the link below for a Free, No-obligation Consultation & Estimate for your vision with one of our ADU experts!