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Behind a facade of stained-black cedar, plywood walls and exposed rafters lend a casual, loft-like feel to the space, while strategically placed windows and skylights bring in ample day-light.

“We had a child and made a commitment to take care of my mother. We had to figure out a solution for housing us all with the right privacy and comfort,” says Ilga Paskovskis, owner of the Granny Pad.

Skylights throw pink and yellow tones across the 850-square-foot unit’s stepped ceilings. “With small spaces, we try to play with clerestory windows, skylights, and ceilings. It makes the architecture feel spacious, almost as though it’s levitating.”

With his mother moving from Massachusetts to California to be closer to family, architect Peter Liang created a 265-square-foot tiny home, dubbed the Kleines Haus, behind his sister’s residence in Oakland for the matriarch to land in. “Since we are a mixed family, it’s key that my kids are close to their grandparents,” says homeowner Stefanie Liang Chung. “Now their German grandmother is teaching them, and I’m grateful that I have an Asian partner who knows that you take in your in-laws.”

Why Now, More Than Ever, the ADU Is the Future of Home: Whether it serves as an investment, backyard office, or intergenerational housing, the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) has never made more sense.

Sliding glass doors and a deck connect the minimalist dwelling to the lush backyard with a giant oak tree. The structure, known as Menlo Park Connect2, was built by Connect Homes.

A large winter garden on the deck offers a tranquil place to read or chat seaside. The "transparent sea container

The sunken living room curves around a full-height stone fireplace.

The four-bedroom home at 9 Arrowhead Lane is situated on a 4.45-acre plot along the Kishwaukee River in DeKalb, Illinois, roughly 65 miles outside of Chicago.

In addition to the large outdoor pool area, the four-bedroom home includes multiple decks that cantilever over the river, as well as a tennis court, a two-car garage with storage, and a separate golf cart garage.

A floor-to-ceiling window offers views from the indoor whirlpool to the outdoor, leaf-shaped pool.

A bathroom on the lower level connects to an indoor whirlpool.

Glass doors and clerestory windows offer scenic views of the surrounding woods and allow natural light to enter the principal bedroom.

“The home is surrounded by water, with a leaf-shaped swimming pool on one side and the Kishwaukee River on the opposite,” Green says.

However, there are also dedicated spaces for privacy and work throughout the home.

The floor plan offers multiple areas for residents and guest to gather inside or outdoors.

Situated on opposite ends of the home, the two upstairs wings are connected by a suspended walkway above the main-floor living/dining areas.

The original spiral staircase leads to the home’s second story.

A cozy breakfast area in the kitchen is tucked into a solarium that overlooks the river.