Laguna Beach Magazine November 2022 LBM111XDIGITALMAG_10.22 | Page 53

Designing the Space

Although the space could be small , making an ADU feel like a home is easy when you maximize the square footage , add your favorite design elements and make sure it has the comforts you want and need .
Local interior design expert Candace Kristensen , owner of Ocean Design Studio , has helped Laguna Beach residents turn their new ADUs into beautiful living spaces .
“ In one of my most recent ADU installations , we incorporated a custom Murphy bed out of white oak along with a pair of custom bookcases along the side to give the space a clean and organized feel ,” Kristensen says . “ Hit the flea market to hunt for small vintage pieces to incorporate with new pieces to give these little spaces a big personality .”
Debbie Lewis turned space in her Woods Cove home into an ADU ( above and opposite page ) in 2020 .
RIGHT : CHRIS HITCHCOCK
of retirement income . If leased to tenants , ADUs must be rented for more than 31 consecutive days , which can put neighbors ’ minds at ease since short-term rentals can sometimes be a source of noise and rowdy parties . And deed restrictions on ADUs require the owner to live on the property .
Local resident Debbie Lewis converted space in her Woods Cove home into an ADU in 2020 . “ I had always planned to convert the downstairs portion of my home into a granny flat with the thought of either having it for live-in home care during my most senior years , supplemental retirement income or perhaps even living there if I could no longer navigate my three-story home ,” Lewis says . She is currently using it as a rental for those typically staying two to four months . The renters are
mostly snowbirds staying multiple months in the winter , but also some visiting artists or even locals who need accommodations during a remodel , for example , or newcomers who need a place to stay while looking for a home .
As for the size and amenities required for an ADU , according to the city of Laguna Beach , detached units can be up to 850 square feet or 1,000 square feet depending on the number of bedrooms . For attached ADUs , those measuring more than 800 square feet cannot exceed 50 % of the primary dwelling ’ s square footage . There is no maximum size for converting spaces that already exist as part of the primary home , including garages and other accessory structures .
It ’ s important to note that ADUs are defined as self-contained living units consisting of a
A Murphy bed and floor-to-ceiling bookcases can maximize space in a small ADU , like in this room designed by Candace Kristensen with pieces by Coyote Custom Woodwork .
RESOURCES CITY ’ S ADU GUIDANCE : LAGUNABEACHCITY . NET / ADU VIDEO OF CITY ADU WORKSHOP : YOUTUBE . COM / WATCH ? V = 4LMAS5RZXAK CITY ’ S ADU HANDBOOK : BIT . LY / 3ENR9NE
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