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<\/p>\nIf you have an unused garage, why not convert it to an ADU?<\/p>\n
ADU, the short term for Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a separate housing unit in a family residential lot.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like an additional house, a bit tinier than the primary home, right beside or attached to the house.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s called an \u201caccessory\u201d only because it is a secondary unit, rather than describing the structure since it is more functional than the term \u201caccessory\u201d suggests.<\/p>\n
Martin Brown moved to Portland, Oregon, and converted his garage into an ADU.<\/p>\n
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SOURCE:YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT \u2013 MIKON HAAKSMAN<\/p>\n
But when his son Sebastian came along, his mother-in-law wanted to live close by so she could be there for her grandson.<\/p>\n
Instead of buying a new house, Martin considered converting their garage into the grandmother\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a cozy home that has everything one would need.<\/p>\n
They rebuilt and redesigned the house so it would accommodate the basic rooms of a home.<\/p>\n
Despite the size, they made it work, and it was even more spacious than expected.<\/p>\n
They also added some planters and a walkway to make it feel like a separate home.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s this sense of warmth and homey-ness the moment you step inside the home.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a sofa bed that is comfortable enough to sit and have some downtime while looking out the glass door, which opens as a guest bed whenever needed.<\/p>\n
It has a fireplace to keep the place cozy and warm.<\/p>\n
They did not skimp on the kitchen space on this one, either.<\/p>\n
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SOURCE:YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT \u2013 MIKON HAAKSMAN<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a full-sized fridge, a two-stove burner, and a single sink. There are no cabinets, but enough shelf space to keep things open and easy to reach.<\/p>\n
All pots, pans, plates, and other utensils are placed in hanging racks which are also perfect for drying.<\/p>\n
Above is a loft bedroom that fits a queen-sized bed and a reading nook.<\/p>\n
The stairs leading up the bedroom were also designed to be space-saving.<\/p>\n
It has alternating tread stairs, so it can cover the entire height without using a huge space. We just hope grandma can utilize this one for a long time!<\/p>\n
And just beside the stairs is a pocket door leading to a single bathroom.<\/p>\n
The key to making this ADU look spacious is letting as much light inside as possible.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t place any window to give that sense of privacy, but a huge glass door and skylights illuminated the room.<\/p>\n
Even the kitchen, which had the loft overhead, has a glass porthole that allows the light from the loft\u2019s skylight to brighten up the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Martin also ensured that the home would still have a reminder of its old structure.<\/p>\n
The home\u2019s exterior is still the same as its original 1920s-style garage and was only made modern with the new paint.<\/p>\n
They also kept the original concrete floor, so the structure stands on a strong and durable material.
\nLastly, remnants of the old garage \u2013 like old fittings and locks \u2013 were cemented along the kitchen counter, adding to its rustic-industrial look.<\/p>\n