Plan your DADU’s interior early on! The reward for early planning is a space you will love without needing to change. Thoughtful permanent design elements created during construction and mindful interior decorating are a winning combination.
You can start with our Interior Selections Catalog, which will help you choose your DADU’s Appliances, Finishes, and fixtures, including kitchen cabinets, countertops, tile, and more.
High Ceiling and Big Windows
A high ceiling can create a sense of spaciousness and openness in a room. It can also allow for the installation of large windows, making a room feel bigger. If high ceilings are an aesthetic you like but opt for a pre-approved DADU design that does not account for a high ceiling, we can update the plans on various models.
Floating Staircase
If your DADU is two floors, you can discuss open staircase options with your architect. Floating staircases take up less visual and physical space than traditional staircases with walls or closed risers. A minimal staircase design for your two-story backyard cottage provides an open look and feel.
Storage Solutions
Space Optimization: Tiny houses have limited square footage, so efficient storage solutions are essential to maximize the available space and avoid clutter. Consider multi-purpose storage solutions for your DADU. Such as furniture with built-in storage, stairs with hidden compartments, purposely designed cabinetry and closets.
Well-designed storage can contribute to the overall aesthetics of a tiny house, making it both visually appealing and functional.
Color Scheme
Light colors on the walls, furniture, and accessories can make your DADU feel spacious! Whites, pastels, and neutral tones are excellent choices. Spend time collecting color swatches and determine your color palette. When you know your color combinations early, it will have a positive impact on your overall aesthetic and provide you with direction as you choose your furniture and other interior selections.
Natural Light
Maximize natural light using sheer curtains or blinds that let in plenty of sunlight. Providing the means for daylight to fill your DADU will make the space feel more open and inviting.
Furniture Purchases
Choose appropriately sized furniture, considering each piece’s scale to the square footage in your backyard cottage. Modular furniture is an excellent match for small spaces because it can be adjusted to fit the available area, maximizing the use of space. Also, consider investing in furniture that can serve multiple purposes, like sofabeds, a kitchen island with shelves, and an expandable dining table. There are many innovative furniture solutions available that we can help you discover!
Browse Wayfair for a vast selection of storage furniture and start planning your decor!
Appliance Selection
Also, take a look at apartment-sized appliances. Smaller-sized stoves/ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers are typically sufficient for a small DADU, and the bonus is more space to move around!
Plants
Strategically placed plants add warmth, texture, and visual appeal and improve air quality. Plants are a natural way to enhance the overall mood of your dadu by bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside. In a home with limited floor space, vertical gardening options like wall-mounted or hanging planters maximize vertical space without taking up a footprint.
Art
Display pieces of art that resonate with your style and taste. The best way to avoid cluttering your space with random artwork is to curate your art selections thoughtfully. Place your artistic finds strategically on walls, shelves, or even as part of functional furniture to maximize aesthetics and space efficiency. Artwork with bright colors or interesting textures can help liven up your space, while minimalist and cohesive art themes can maintain a sense of harmony in a small environment. With tall ceilings, you can further enhance your DADU’s atmosphere with more prominent works that do not overwhelm the aesthetic.
Accessories
Here is a list of accessories most people purchase for their new DADU to make it a complete living space. You may have a disappointing hodgepodge if you shop for these items without planning. Decide on a theme and style that is cohesive and complements your aesthetic. Here is a list of some everyday things that a new DADU needs for you to start researching!
When thoughtfully planned out, the interior design elements of your DADU will ultimately raise your ongoing perception of that special place in your backyard. There are many facets of your backyard cottage’s interior ambiance.
Spend some time on sites like Pinterest for inspiration and get started with our our interior design starter catalogue to begin your floor to ceiling planning for a perfectly appointed abode.