Sized Just Right

A compact backyard dwelling packs in all the comforts of home for a retired couple looking to upsize quality time with their grandchildren.

- JODY GARLOCK,JOY COAKLEY

Grandchildren have a way of bringing family closer. When Lynn Jones’ second daughter was born, she knew her mom, Younghee Lee, would make the six-hour drive to visit Lynn and her family in their Alameda, CA, home. After a few weeks of baby snuggles (and giggles with her older granddaughter), Younghee decided she wasn’t leaving. Instead, she found the perfect place for her next chapter: a backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that would put her and her husband, Jongseung, near their only child and two grandkids. “It went from a two-week visit to, ‘Yeah, I’m going to live here,’” Lynn says.

Lynn and her husband, Steven, built the 800-square-foot structure as a potential rental—with the bigger hope that Lynn’s parents would decide to move in at some point. As soon as they started planning the ADU build, Lynn and Steven sought her parents’ input to ensure the backyard dwelling would suit their lifestyle if and when they made that decision. “We were being flexible with the design so we would have options,” Lynn says.

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) allows multiple generations to live in close proximity. Younghee and Jongseung Lee (center) moved to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Steven Jones, and grandkids Birdie and Lilly.

REPETITION OF LIGHT WOOD TONES, CONTINUITY OF CONCRETE FLOORS, AND BLUE ACCENTS ENSURE A SMOOTH VISUAL FLOW.