Want to learn more about ADUs in California? Check out our blog here, where we cover everything you need to know. 

Learn All About California ADUs on Our Blog  

A look inside Abodu.

Blog - Abodu

text-left

text-base

Abodu

layout

header

Additional meta tags to set as default in all pages. Tags defined here are low-priority: they may be overriden by page-level settings.

defaultMetaTags

blurb

isPressRelease

headerTheme

Aenean eros ipsum, interdum quis dignissim non, sollicitudin vitae nisl. Aenean vel aliquet elit, at blandit ipsum. Sed eleifend felis sit amet erat molestie, hendrerit malesuada justo ultrices. Nunc volutpat at erat itae interdum. Ut nec massa eget lorem blandit condimentum et at risus.

This Is A Big Hero Headline

sections

footer

Suffix to append to the title tag of all pages, except in pages where the this behavior is disabled (e.g. typically the home page should have the site name as a prefix)

titleSuffix

Default image to use for the og:image meta tag in all pages, except in pages that define another image.

defaultSocialImage

title

changeHeaderBackgroundColorOnScroll

fullScreenBackgroudImage

metaTitle

metaDescription

Your Brand

Abodu honors family by creating spaces for parents to live independently while still living close — whether it’s in your backyard or theirs. 

Reimagine Your Backyard-Independence with Abodu

Reimagine Your Backyard - Peace

ABODU,  ADU, Reimagine Your Backyard

Peace, in your backyard

How to make a peaceful space in your home 


rust-theme

text-2xl md:text-4xl

What if you could step out of your home and into… quiet? Peace? A space you could open up your imagination or shut the world out for a few hours?

**Our work-from-home lives demand spaces where calm is key.**

With Abodu, you can turn your backyard space into a functional retreat from the demands of modern life. And here, we have some suggestions on honing in on your version of WFH-bliss. 

From how to cancel out noise pollution to how to create a dedicated space to decompress, you’ll find great tips below for your own home or your Abodu.

**Create true work/life balance in a peaceful setting with these tips.**


text-xl md:text-3xl

In busy suburbs and neighborhoods nationwide, the quiet of the day gives way to an endless succession of motors, whirring, construction, traffic, and more — and it could impact your health.

So how do you tune it out, not only for your health but your sanity? 




While decorating might seem to only serve aesthetics, if you’ve ever walked into a room without furniture, rugs or art on the walls, you know how sound bounces and reverberates. Here are some ways to reduce noise and create a quiet workspace with decor:

*   Use rugs in uncarpeted rooms.

*   Add tapestries or art to the walls to reduce noise bounce.

*   Buffer walls on busy streets, or shared walls with neighbors or kids using acoustic panels.

*   Add upholstered furniture to empty spaces.

*   Weatherstrip doors and windows for efficiency and noise reduction.



Turn off unnecessary devices throughout the day



The hum of appliances, ticking of clocks or whirring of vacuums all create background noise that can be distracting — without you being consciously aware of it. 


If you can, turn off unnecessary appliances or plug them into timed power cords. Swapping out old clanky appliances with new ones can also help, as many new appliances run smoother and quieter.




If you’ve soundproofed your space but still find distracting noises slipping in, there’s a number of ways to drown out sound and prevent sensory overload. 

There’s two ways to do this, first you can mask the noise with a soothing sound of your choosing, or you can cancel the noise, which eliminates most noise.


*   Noise-canceling earplugs designed for the comfort of everyday use.

*   Sound machines that play either white noise (best for focus) and ambient sounds (like waves, best for creativity).

*   Sound-dampening headphones are great if you don’t like earplugs.

*   Sound masking systems are similar to sound machines, but are installed across a living or working space versus one machine in a room.



Get into the right headspace for work or life



Sometimes the hardest part of working from home is simply the lack of transition into work. 


It’s too easy to sit down at your desk minutes after getting out of bed, or working from your robe. 



Working at an office provides a clear demarcation line between work and home life: commuting. And while a lack of commute is usually the reason people love working from home, it does give us time and space to either ramp up or decompress from work.



So how do you create the same feeling — preparing for work or turning off from the day? 




Create a transition from home to work (even if you WFH)


Many people use their daily commute to work to catch up on audio books, podcasts or enjoy their favorite music. When you work from home, it’s difficult to create that space. 

Instead, you can create a work from home playlist — like this one by Abodu — to listen to while you check emails first thing, drink your coffee, or plug into creative endeavors.

The point is to be intentional about creating a space of time before you really get into your work day that allows you to mentally transition from home life into work life. The same goes for decompressing after work. 

Whether that’s walking around the block while you listen to your favorite commuting entertainment, or delegating the first 30 minutes of your working morning to getting into the headspace of work or creativity. 

At the end of the day, do the same thing. Step outside and sit for 15 minutes listening to something calming, take a lap around the block, or change your clothes by literally slipping into something more comfortable to mentally switch off from work.


text-center

Create a space that’s only used to decompress


Typically people delegate their home spaces for some kind of functional use — cooking, eating, entertainment. But rarely do people create a space that’s only purpose is to relax and feel at ease.



People that are more introverted, or have high-stress jobs and lives (especially with children), benefit from having sectioned spaces that feel intentionally delegated in order to relax. 



Whether you have an entire home — like an Abodu — or just an unused corner by a window, you can create a space that’s sole purpose is to decompress, here’s how:



*   Get creative with unused space — behind a couch, in a corner, or by window are all great spots to design a peaceful nook.

*   Be mindful of clutter by adding only a few necessary things. A comfy chair, a small stand for books and a drink, and a plant go a long way in creating calm.

*   If you have a dedicated working space like an Abodu, utilize one area as a dedicated decompression zone — no phones or computers allowed. 

*   Studies have shown having plants in your space increases cognitive performance, memory recall and lowers stress, so add a plant or two to your space.




With these tips, you can create a calming and peaceful area in your home. It's necessary in order to get work done or decompress from the daily stress of life.


You can do this even easier with a backyard home like Abodu, which adds functional living and working space to your home. 

Create a little peace in your backyard with these tips, or find out how you can add an Abodu to your yard, just reach out to our team here.




Prefab Accessory Dwelling Units are coming to the North Bay

With concierge-level service from blueprint to delivery, you get a familiar face walking you through every step.

And, we'll make it easy.

Choosing an Accessory Dwelling Unit for Your Growing Family

KOTO x Abodu Collab Brings Nordic Style ADUs to the Bay Area

With a state law easing restrictions on accessory dwelling units, granny flats are proliferating in L.A. and other cities — and pre-fab options may make these tiny houses even more common.

"How California Set Off a Backyard Apartment Boom"

Reimagine your backyard - Peace

Reimagine Your Backyard - Independence

Independence, in your backyard

Family is the foundation of our lives, and sometimes our favorite recipes are passed down through generations and perfected by our parents.


Abodu honors family by creating spaces for parents to live independently while still living close — whether it’s in your backyard or theirs. 


Whatever setup families go for, one thing remains the same: sometimes it's great to have parents a few steps away to help perfect that family recipe.



The recipe below is from our friends at Evermill who believe in the power of cooking together. At Abodu, we love the idea of togetherness. 


We know some recipes are only made perfect by the hands of a parent, but we hope you’ll enjoy this lemongrass spiced stew recipe. 




text-2xl md:text-5xl

*   2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds

*   1 tablespoon ground cumin

*   2 teaspoons whole fennel seeds

*   1 whole star anise

*   Seeds from 4 cardamom pods

*   1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon

*   2 whole cloves



SPICES:


*   1 small yellow onion

*   4 cloves garlic (minced)

*   1" piece ginger, cut into pieces

*   2 stalks lemongrass midsection only, loosely chopped

*   4 medium yellow potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces 

*   3 large carrots diced

*   Juice from 1 lime

*   Bean sprouts

*   Handful of chopped cilantro




PRODUCE:


*   6 cups of chicken broth

*   2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces, we suggest breast, thighs, and drumsticks



MEAT:


*   Heat a small skillet with the coriander, fennel, star anise, and cloves and toast the spices until fragrant. Once cooled combine with the rest of the spices (cumin and cinnamon) in a food processor. Grind until a coarse mixture. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and grind again for 15 seconds.

*   In a large pot, heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a small skillet on medium heat.

*   While keeping the heat on medium, move the paste from the food processor to the pot, cook for 2-3 minutes.



*   Add the chicken broth and chicken pieces, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for one hour.

*   Remove the chicken pieces. Remove the chicken from the bones and shred the chicken. Set aside.

*   Pour the broth through a sieve to remove the spice paste pulp and return the broth to the pot.

*   Return the shredded chicken to the pot along with the potatoes, carrots and salt.



*   Return to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for another 25-30 minutes. Squeeze the lime juice in the soup just before serving.

*   Dish the hot soup into bowls topped with some bean sprouts and cilantro.

INSTRUCTIONS:


Lemongrass Spiced Stew by Evermill

Dwell House ADU Homeowner Background Story 

Welcome to the Dwell House

ABODU,  ADU,  Dwell house

Our exclusive collaboration with Dwell Magazine and Norm Architects

Ready to get started? Tell us about your backyard ADU project

Picture this: you wake up on a golden California morning and slide open the 12-foot folding glass doors to rows of cabernet grapes, olive trees, and a centenary oak. 

That’s the reality for Dwell House owner Leslie Scharf and her daughter. They wanted something that fit the bucolic rolling hills of Healdsburg, CA and they found it in the Dwell House — our exclusive collaboration design with Dwell Magazine and Norm Architects. 

Our most premium home comes in at just 540 square feet, but thanks to the panoramic folding glass doors, plentiful windows, and 13-foot ceilings, the space is airy and expansive. 

Leslie and her daughter needed a space that didn’t dominate the landscape. With the Dwell House, they found something that’s functional, not flashy. This highly-considered design process is a cornerstone of the award-winning Danish firm, Norm Architects, that designed the Dwell House. 

For a backyard home this distinguished, one would expect a long build and design process. But instead, Leslie was pleasantly surprised by the 6-month build and single-day delivery and install. She hosted the family for Thanksgiving just days later. 

With the Abodu Dwell House — and all of our other prefabricated ADUs — you can expect exceptional design, unparalleled project management and service, and a speedy process. 


Welcome to the Dwell House 

San Jose Homeowner gives her take on the Abodu Concierge experience and her peace of mind on her overall project.

Create liveable space in your backyard

Turn your parents backyard into a home

ABODU,  ADU, homeowner, community

How Abodu turns ‘living with your parents’ on its head

This is Vu-Bang. He’s a fan of all things contemporary (minus that incredible retro Atari). Step inside his sleek Abodu One and you’ll discover a space outfitted with mid-century furniture and considered pops of color. It’s a reflection of Vu-Bang’s personality. He’s young, stylish, and always keeps an eye on trends, including the future of homeownership.




A few years ago, “living with your parents” might conjure a particular image. Sweatpants, basement, video games, the like. No shade to that, but Vu-Bang is modernizing the concept. 


>  He built an Abodu on his parents’ scenic San Jose property so that one day they can swap places but stay close.



Vu-Bang will move into the main house and his parents will dwell in the Abodu—gladly, by the way. How can you not relish the opportunity to live in such a good-looking spot?


Ready to get started? Reach out to us today.

You’re probably wondering what will happen to the Atari or the street art that’s pretty specific to Vu-Bang’s aesthetic. That’s the beauty of Abodu. Our homes are highly customizable and can be modified pretty painlessly, barring a full blown jungle-themed tile mosaic.


 Turn your parents backyard into a home

Create more livable space in your backyard with Abodu

Flora brings the outside in with her Abodu One

What if you could add flexible space to your backyard that served as a hangout, a backyard kitchen, and a place to spread out and relax as a family? That’s exactly what Flora has done with her Abodu One. 




What started as a need for extra space for her husband to work while their two kids did online school in the main house during the pandemic has turned into a flexible living space and another source of income for the family.


Initially, Flora was looking at getting a custom-built ADU with another company. 

“It felt like we had more questions than answers about what we could build in our backyard,” she says. “We had gone several months without making a lot of progress, so that’s when we decided to look elsewhere.”


Flora is involved in the art community in San Jose, and her discerning eye made choosing the beautifully designed Abodu One an easy choice. The fact that Flora could quickly add the extra space with the prefabricated Abodu ADU sealed the deal.  



“We were immediately attracted to Abodu because of their “one-stop shop” approach to building an ADU,” says Flora. 




> “They handled all the permitting, managed the site work, coordinated all the subcontractors and communicated with us every step of the way.”



Aesthetically, the Abodu looks as if it has always been there — the wood siding is a perfect match to the existing fence and the cactus landscaping completes this outdoor oasis. Flora decorated the Abodu with her personal art collection to make the addition even more unique.


Flora delighted in creating a backyard space that flows seamlessly indoors and out utilizing the panoramic folding doors that opens up the Abodu so the living room becomes an extension of the yard. The kitchen creates an easily accessible entertaining space so that whoever is in the kitchen prepping dinner or snacks can still feel part of the gathering. 



While the Abodu One comes in at 500 square feet, Flora says the high ceilings make the space feel big and open, and give her plenty of room to hang large pieces of art throughout the home. 



The large windows and the panoramic folding doors create an airy space that seamlessly flows into the backyard, making it feel more open and versatile.


While Flora’s Abodu is beautiful, it was the process of working with a dedicated project manager and having a holistic understanding of cost and timeline from day one that sealed the deal for her and her family. 



“Abodu gave us a clear idea of how much this project was going to cost from the beginning. They also gave us an estimated timeline from start to finish, which was a huge relief,” she says. 


The Abodu not only creates a flexible living space for the entire family, but also provides an extra stream of income as a rental unit. Flora takes pride in utilizing the space as a way to showcase her art collection and design aesthetic to guests — the additional income is a bonus. 




And because Abodu “saved us a lot of time by [working with the city of San Jose](https://www.sanjoseca.gov/business/development-services-permit-center/accessory-dwelling-units-adus/preapproved-adus) to streamline the ADU permitting process,” they were able to begin utilizing the space in less time than it took them to even get started with a custom-built ADU contractor. 

“Abodu gave us peace of mind from the very beginning,” she says, highlighting the concierge service the Abodu team is known for. “Abodu’s concierge service is probably one of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever had.”




We answer common questions about California’s ADU grant, also known as CalHFA. Here’s how it can help you build an ADU.

 $40k ADU Grant for California Homeowners 

$40k ADU Grant - A Guide for Homeowners

ABODU,  ADU

In recent years California has recognized Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a powerful tool to help solve the state’s housing crisis. Also known as backyard homes or granny flats, there are a lot of [benefits to getting an ADU](https://www.abodu.com/2022/08/22/on-the-fence-about-adus), including adding extra livable space to their existing property. 

As a result of this effort, the state has passed a number of initiatives to encourage ADU construction and expand affordable housing. One of these initiatives is the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) ADU Grant Program. Below we outline how the grant can be used, who qualifies, and requirements. 




text-xl

The ADU Grant Program provides low-to-moderate-income homeowners with a grant of up to $40,000 to cover the pre-construction costs of building an ADU. This sum is a grant, not a loan, so you don’t have to pay it back. 

Pre-construction costs (also known as “soft” or “pre-development” costs) include expenses from planning and design phases, including: 

*   Architectural designs

*   Permits

*   Site prep

*   Soil tests

*   Impact fees

*   Property survey

*   Energy reports


The grant cannot be used for building materials or other construction costs. If your pre-construction expenses end up totaling less than $40,000, you can use the remainder to cover one-time closing costs such as loan fees or buying down loan interest.


At Abodu, we want to help you capitalize on this $40,000 opportunity. Our contracts and processes are structured to help homeowners take full advantage of the ADU Grant Program, and our team of experts is ready to help you through each step of the process with our [turn-key solution](https://www.abodu.com/overview) to ADUs.


text-lg

How do I qualify for the ADU Grant Program?


The ADU Grant Program has two primary eligibility requirements. The first is that homeowners must be below the income cap that CalHFA assigned to their county. Before you think you don’t qualify, know that the income caps are quite generous — and they apply to the individual grant recipient, not the total household income. The current income cap for San Mateo and Santa Clara counties is $300,000; in Sonoma county, it’s $223,000 (see the [CalHFA’s list of income limits by county](https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homeownership/limits/income/income.pdf)). 

The second eligibility factor is an owner-occupancy requirement — the recipient must live in and own the property where the ADU will be built. In other words, the grant cannot be put toward an ADU at an investment property.




What’s the catch? The ADU Grant Program loan requirement.


A key factor of the ADU Grant Program is that it requires homeowners to also get a loan from an approved lender to finance the ADU construction.

There are currently [17 approved lenders](https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/adu/) listed on the CalHFA ADU Grant Program website, and they offer various loan types including cash-out refinancing loans, home equity loans & HELOCs, renovation loans, and construction loans. The state is continuing to add more lenders to their approved list, so be sure to check the [CalHFA ADU Grant Program](https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/adu/) website for the latest information. 




CalHFA lays out the ADU Grant Program process in five steps: 

1.  Application: The homeowner applies for a construction loan with an approved lender and completes the grant application paperwork. 

2.  Loan approval: The lender approves the construction loan, prequalifying the homeowner for the ADU grant.

3.  Pre-development: The pre-development work starts, paid through the construction loan account. Meanwhile, the lender sends the ADU grant application to CalHFA, including invoices for predevelopment costs.

4.  Grant disbursement: CalHFA approves the grant and wires the fund to the loan account.

5.  Construction: Your ADU construction is completed and financed with the loan. 



The $40,000 ADU Grant Program is designed to encourage California homeowners to add ADUs to their property. While the program will require some extra paperwork, the grant will help cover significant expenses in your project. And Abodu’s team of experts is here to help you through the process so you can make the most of this program. 


If you’re looking for a partner to build your ADU, Abodu currently offers full service in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Central Coast, Southern California, and Seattle. Come see the Abodu ADUs for yourself by [visiting our showrooms in Redwood City, Los Angeles, and Seattle](https://www.abodu.com/showrooms). 


To find out if we can add space at your place, please fill out the Abodu contact form below and we’ll be in touch.




Find out the benefits of adding a home yoga studio or backyard gym to your home in California.

Prefab Home Yoga Studios and Backyard Gyms

Abodu Home Yoga Studios and Backyard Gyms

Having a home yoga studio or a backyard gym shed might feel luxurious, but it’s actually an easy addition to many properties and provides many advantages to boutique studio gyms.




In this article we’ll outline a few ways you can use an ADU as a home yoga studio or backyard gym, the benefits of a backyard gym, the differences between an ADU and a shed, and pros to opting for an ADU to use as a home fitness studio.




Use a backyard gym shed as a yoga studio, fitness space, cycling studio and more


If you’re a fan of boutique fitness studios, then adding a shed gym or ADU to your backyard is the perfect way to bring studio fitness classes to you.




From individual fitness trainers to larger fitness brands, there’s plenty of home fitness classes and memberships out there. Whether you’re interested in having a space to cycle at home, want to do HIIT or weight training classes, or want a space to do yoga flows and meditation, there’s so many options out there to stream fitness classes right at home. 




Online fitness classes you can take in your backyard gym


*   Cardio: HIIT, dance, boxing, trampoline, cycling, treadmill, bootcamp

*   Strength training: sculpt, pilates, weight training, barre, ballet, plyometrics

*   Yoga: Vinyasa yoga, yoga sculpt, restorative yoga, and meditation

*   Active recovery: stretch and foam rolling classes




Having a fitness studio space right in your backyard means you can squeeze a sweat or yoga flow in between meetings, early in the morning, or right after work — all without having to get into your vehicle to drive to the gym.




While gyms provide a dedicated space to workout, having a home gym offers more flexibility and is often more efficient. Here are some other benefits of working out at home:




*   It’s convenient

*   Flexible and versatile — workout between meetings, before work or dinner

*   Availability is never an issue, unlike popular boutique fitness studios

*   Don’t have to worry about cleanliness or germs

*   You can enjoy the privacy of working out alone

*   You don’t have to worry about being uncomfortable 

*   You can focus on your fitness and don’t have to share machines or equipment

*   It’s budget friendly, once you pay the upfront cost of building a space, it’s there for you to use without paying every time



The difference between a shed gym and an ADU


Once you’ve decided you want to build a dedicated backyard gym, you need to decide whether you’ll build a shed gym or opt for an ADU. The difference between a shed and an ADU comes down to what you’re using it for and the size. 




ADUs — or accessory dwelling units, granny flats, or backyard homes — can have multiple rooms and are considered a livable space. ADUs add value to your property and do not depreciate in value like a shed does. 




Shed gyms are much smaller, and can be up to 120 square feet without a permit and up to 500 square feet with a permit. They are not considered livable space and only have one room.




*   ADUs appreciate in value over time, just like traditional houses.

*   ADUs add to the value of your property and to the square footage.

*   ADUs have multiple uses, like an outdoor office, guest house, rental unit, or backyard gym and home yoga studio.



*   Sheds depreciate in value over time and poorly maintained sheds can deter future home buyers

*   Sheds typically only have one use and aren’t multi-functional

*   Sheds generally only have one room, which limits what you can use it for.

*   Sheds cannot be used for a rental unit or dwelling.




While an ADU might seem excessive for a fitness studio, they offer so much more functionality and potential that it’s important to consider what else you can use the space for that you couldn’t use a shed gym for.




While you only use a home gym periodically during the day, you might not be able to justify a detached space. But when you consider the flexible space an ADU provides, it makes adding this space a great option. 




Many homeowners with ADUs use the separated space as both short and long-term rentals for extra income, as [backyard offices](https://www.abodu.com/2023/3/27/adu-outdoor-office), and backyard guest houses for friends and family — including aging parents that are ready to retire close to family. 




Multi-room ADUs provide plenty of space of flexible use, including backyard gyms




ADUs can either be studios or they can have multiple bedrooms, in contrast, sheds only have one space. So if you want to install a backyard gym, you should consider other ways you’d want to use that space and opt for making the most out of your ADU.




You could add a one bedroom ADU, like the Abodu One, and have your home fitness studio set up in the living room and then have space for a backyard office or a guest room. 




Adding more bedrooms to your space only increases the amount of flexibility and functionality to the space. 




Homeowners like Joyce use the flexible indoor-outdoor home style of our Abodu’s to workout inside when the weather is questionable, and then use the deck for yoga when the sun is shining. 




Because Joyce opted for an ADU instead of a shed, the space can be used for whatever she wants. While she initially planned to use the space as a long term rental, as her life and goals changed over the years, she’s now considering moving into her ADU, renting her main home, and traveling while using the smaller space as a home base. 




Joyce currently uses her ADU as a home yoga studio, meditation space, art studio, and backyard office — which just goes to show the flexibility and adaptability ADUs provide. 




If you’re ready to add a home yoga studio to your life, reach out to our sales rep to have a no strings attached call about your project and see what Abodu can do for your life. 




Yoga

Learn the difference between ADUs and guest houses, the benefits of adding a prefab guest house for homeowners, plus 6 uses for modern prefab guest houses.

Use Prefab ADUs as a Guest House

Using prefab ADUs as a guest house

There’s a lot you can do with a backyard guest house, from hosting backyard weddings to adding extra income. We’ve outlined the difference between ADUs and guest houses, the benefits of prefab guest houses, and our 6 favorite ways people use their guest houses.

First, let’s understand the difference between an ADU and a guest house. 




What is an ADU or Accessory Dwelling Unit?




An ADU is a living space that is either attached or detached from a main house and is a fully-livable unit, meaning it has a kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms or studio space. 




Attached ADUs are typically a converted space, like a garage or basement, that is turned into a separate residence. 




A detached ADU is exactly what it sounds like — a detached unit that is placed somewhere on a property that already has a main home or multi-family unit on it. 




You can either build your own ADU or you can purchase a prefabricated — or prefab — option, which can drastically cut down on project timelines. Prefab ADUs are typically built in a climate controlled location and are placed on the site. 




A guest house is typically a sleeping space that is designed for short-term stays and sometimes has kitchenettes, living areas, and separate bathrooms.


What is the difference between ADUs and a guest house?




Guest houses are generally designed for short-term stays whereas ADUs offer full amenities for long-term living. ADUs are made for affordable housing but also function as beautiful guest houses — especially if you purchase a prefab guest house like an Abodu. 


Abodu offers a [turn-key solution](https://www.abodu.com/overview) for people looking to add a guest house or ADU to their property. 



What are the benefits of a prefab guest house?


*   Use it as a rental unit to earn passive income. You can quickly begin earning money on your rental unit when you purchase a prefab ADU or guest house because project timelines are typically much shorter than building a unit from scratch. 

*   Increased property value. Potential homeowners are typically willing to pay for properties with ADUs because they offer additional living space and passive income.

*   Adds flexible space to your property. Guest houses and ADUs offer extra space for remote work and learning, additional space for home gyms, or art studios, as well as space to host adult children and aging parents. 

Prefab units are typically easier projects to manage. Prefab guest houses or ADUs are already designed and built, removing one of the most challenging parts of the process. [Abodu takes care of every step](https://www.abodu.com/service) in the process, from the permitting to the site prep, delivery and install. 


A modern prefab guest house used for backyard weddings.


Cindy and Seth purchased an Abodu Two to add to their spacious backyard that features a pool and garden. 


The white-clad prefab guest house served as a stunning modern backdrop to their daughters at-home wedding and a private escape for the newlyweds after the festivities. 


The La Cantina doors let in the mild California weather, which makes the structure feel open and airy — perfect for a backyard guest house.




A pro built guest house doubles as a holiday party flex space.




Jackie and Dan added an Abodu One to their backyard the week before Christmas. With the extra space, they pulled a long table up to the built-in storage bench in their Abodu and hosted their family for the holiday.


Having a backyard guest house creates a flexible space to host large gatherings without having to rearrange and impact your main living area. Plus the full functional kitchen in the Abodu makes prepping big meals a breeze. 



Too tired to clean up after the party? Having a guest house means you can wait to clean up 




This prefab guest house is the perfect launch pad for adult children.


Megan and her new husband needed a space that allowed them to save up enough money to buy a house — and the Abodu One on her parents property is the perfect spot. 




Now Megan and her mother enjoy quiet evenings with a glass of wine around the firepit, all the while the couple saves up money for their future. 




A backyard guest house is the perfect investment for adult children that need a little time to save money before going out on their own, without the headache of cohabitation. Plus, when they leave, parents have either a rental unit or a guest house for future visits.




For aging parents, a backyard guest house is just the thing.


As parents age, families have to make tough choices on where to move to be closer to their parents. For Monica and her father-in-law, the choice was easy. Monica and her family moved into her father-in-law’s original home and they added an Abodu One into the backyard as a [guest house for dad.](https://www.abodu.com/2022/07/28/helping-parents-age-independently-with-abodu) 




Now Grandpa gets to stay in his community, be close to his family and grandkids, and everyone gets to enjoy the privacy of their own space.




Etiam facilisis lacus nec pretium lobortis. Praesent dapibus justo non efficitur efficitur. Nullam viverra justo arcu, eget egestas tortor pretium id. Sed imperdiet mattis eleifend. Vivamus suscipit et neque imperdiet venenatis.


Use a prefab guest house for aging parents instead of buying a larger home.


For Kerri and Jan, a [backyard guest house](https://www.abodu.com/2023/1/05/skip-the-stress-of-finding-a-bigger-house.-add-an-abodu-instead) was the easier solution to moving Jan’s mother into their home. They considered buying a larger home, but instead purchased an Abodu prefab guest house for Jan’s mother and skipped the stress of the real estate market.


Use a prefab guest house for rental income now, aging parents later.


If your parents aren’t yet ready to move in, a prefab guest house can serve as a rental unit until your parents are ready to be closer to family to live out their golden years, like Jackie and Dan have done. 

Interested in adding a modern prefab guest house to your backyard? [Set up an intro call](https://www.abodu.com/contact-new) with an Abodu rep today. 




Using Prefab ADUs as a Guest House 

Learn why you should use an ADU as a backyard office, the benefits of a backyard home office, and a few examples of our favorite outdoor offices.

Your Own Backyard Office

Turn a Prefab ADU into an Outdoor Office

<div style="text-align: left">Backyard office sheds and ADUs offer extra space for remote workers to spread out at home and ditch the commute. Here, you’ll find out why ADUs are the perfect outdoor office, the benefits of having an office in your backyard, and a few of our favorite examples of outdoor offices. </div>



## The difference between ADUs and sheds




The primary difference between an ADU and a shed is the size and how the structures are used. ADUs — or accessory dwelling units, granny flats, or backyard homes — generally have multiple rooms and are considered a livable space. ADUs are bigger than sheds and range in size from 340 square feet to 610 square feet. 

Sheds are much smaller, and can be up to 120 square feet without a permit and up to 500 square feet with a permit. They are not considered livable space and only have one room. 







The benefits of using an ADU as an outdoor office


<div style="text-align: left">While a backyard office shed might seem like the best way to go, ADUs have a lot more benefits than a shed. </div>

*   ADUs appreciate in value over time, just like traditional houses.

*   ADUs add to the value of your property and to the square footage.

*   ADUs have multiple uses, like an outdoor office, guest house, or rental unit.

The cons to using a shed as a backyard office are numerous. They don’t add any property value, and if they’re not maintained they can detract value from your property. Sheds also only have one use and cannot serve as a dwelling or rental unit.




Many people find working from home to be great for work/life balance. They have less commuting stress, are location independent from their jobs, they save money, and are often more productive because they have more time in the day to focus on work instead of commuting.

But if you don’t have a dedicated work space, working remotely can be stressful, especially if you share space with a partner or roommates, or have children that do remote learning. 

<div style="text-align: left">
</div>



Adding extra space to your home is always a plus, but there’s [plenty of benefits](https://www.abodu.com/2022/08/22/on-the-fence-about-adus) of adding an office to your backyard, including:

*   Separate your home and working life.

*   Flexible space beyond an office.

*   A dedicated space that’s all your own.

*   Increased property value if you go with an ADU.

*   Potential rental unit.



Ready to get a backyard office of your own? Here’s a few of our favorite outdoor offices. 




Ditch the commute, go with a ADU instead


Vu-Bang is a city planner in the Bay Area who was commuting between Los Angeles and San Francisco. He knew he wanted to travel and continue to live in Los Angeles part time, and so he didn’t want to pay the high price for a home in the Bay Area. 



That’s when Vu-Bang decided to [build an ADU](https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-buy-an-abodu-adu-in-california-2022-7) in his parents backyard in San Francisco. He fell in love with the minimal Scandinavian design of the Abodu ADUs and decided to move forward with the prefab units because the cost and timeline was transparent. 


Now he lives and works from his ADU and commutes when he wants to. The flexibility of his backyard office adds a ton of value for him and his parents, who plan to retire into the ADU and then Vu-Bang will transition into the larger home to raise a family.




Turn a studio ADU into an outdoor office


Just because you go with an ADU for a home office instead of a shed doesn’t mean you have to add a ton of square footage. 


John and Lauren are no strangers to making small spaces feel like home. The couple has spent years living in the UK and New York City, so the Abodu Studio suited them just fine for a backyard office. 


Now, they simply step out into their backyard when it’s time to work — no shoes required. 


The [Abodu Studio](https://www.abodu.com/abodu-studio) is the smallest ADU we have, and comes in at just 340 square feet. But don’t let the small size fool you — it’s still considered livable space and adds value to your property.




Use your ADU as an office now, granny flat later


Jackie and Dan know eventually they’ll need space to welcome Dan’s aging parents into their lives. But the idea of moving them into the family’s main home felt cramped. So they bought an [Abodu One](https://www.abodu.com/abodu-one) to use as a flexible office space, as a space to host gatherings, and for friends and family to visit. 

Currently, the couple uses their backyard ADU as an outdoor office, but they’re excited to have something so beautiful to offer Dan’s parents when it’s time for them to move into the backyard.




Downsize into an ADU, but leave space for the backyard office




<div style="text-align: left">Calvin decided to downsize into an Abodu Two, which features two bedrooms and an optimized floorplan that feels larger than its 610 square feet.
Now Calvin’s commute is into the second bedroom, which doubles as his home office. That’s the benefit of an ADU. You can downsize but still keep separate living and working spaces. 
</div>



ADUs offer a turn-key solution to outdoor offices


If you’re ready to add a backyard office to your property, ADUs are a great place to start. 

Instead of building from scratch, we suggest going with a prefab ADU for your backyard office because it’s a [turn-key solution](https://www.abodu.com/overview) that eliminates the hassle of working with an architect and contractor. 


Abodu ADUs were designed by world-renowned architects to create beautiful spaces for your backyard, without having to make design choices on your own. 

They come in a range of sizes to fit your lifestyle and your space, plus our concierge-level services mean we handle each step of the process, from permitting to construction. 

We also offer transparent pricing — what you see online covers every cost and is closer to what you can expect to pay when everything is said and done. 
Ready to chat with an Abodu representative about your backyard office? Tell us about your project [here](https://www.abodu.com/contact-new). 


A look inside Abodu.

Reimagine Your Backyard - Peace

Read Article

Reimagine Your Backyard - Independence

Read Article

Welcome to the Dwell House

Read Article

Turn your parents backyard into a home

Read Article

Create more livable space in your backyard with Abodu

Read Article

$40k ADU Grant - A Guide for Homeowners

Read Article

Abodu Home Yoga Studios and Backyard Gyms

Read Article

Using prefab ADUs as a guest house

Read Article

Turn a Prefab ADU into an Outdoor Office

Read Article