In the previous chapters, we explored the early stages of the ADU journey. We talked about understanding what ADUs are, how California laws support them, how to evaluate your property, how to choose the right ADU strategy, and how to begin building a realistic budget for your project.

Once those foundational steps are clear, the next stage becomes one of the most exciting parts of the entire process.

Design.

This is where the ADU begins to take shape.

The ideas you’ve been thinking about start turning into actual layouts and living spaces.

But designing an ADU isn’t just about making something that looks good.

It’s about creating a layout that works well within a smaller footprint while still feeling comfortable, efficient, and functional.

In this chapter, we’ll explore how to design the right ADU layout  ...