Top ADU Design Trends for 2023
Well, let’s face it. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) are becoming a trend in themselves; not to mention, the overall desire for smaller homes. The housing crisis, driven by continued high monthly rental costs and high prices of already existing homes, has people looking for other options and ADUs seem to be one great solution.
With the new year in full swing, Backyard ADUs decided to take a look at some of the trends that we think you will see when it comes to ADUs going forward in 2023. Here are our top 8 when considering planning, design, construction and everything in between.
Lower Interest Rates
According to Mortgage Brokers Association forecast for the year, “Although short-term rates will continue to increase, …long-term rates have already peaked. We expect that 30-year mortgage rates will end 2023 at 5.2%.”
With that prediction they will be down ~1.2% from where we ended 2022 and almost 2% from when they peaked back in October at 7.16%.
So while there are a lot of factors involved with cost when building, we are excited to start to seeing one of them moving in the right direction.
2. Multigenerational Living
While we have seen this trend increase for the past couple years, this will definitely continue throughout 2023 and we are a huge fan due to it’s dramatic level of benefits.
Grandparents all over the country are building in their children’s backyards. Whether it’s due to the passing of a spouse, downsizing from a home that’s too large or needing more care while maintaining independence, this seems to be a win win for everyone involved. Rather than investing in a retirement/senior living facility, the investment goes towards increasing the value of a property while keeping a family member close and in their own home-style environment. Grandparents are also getting to raise their grandchildren, saving on childcare costs for homeowners and allowing family to spend more time together, in addition to everyone saving on maintenance costs by sharing the property.
Above: A homeowner’s mom moved into this L-Line home in her daughter’s yard, allowing her to spend more time with her grandchild.
3. Buying Property to Share
Another model that is increasing in popularity is family members, or even good friends, investing in land together. That land is then used to build two or more separate homes on, lowering cost for those who may find standalone properties a better option or who don’t already own a home to build behind.
Above: Siblings in Williamstown bought land together, cutting cost, and then each built their own single-family home on the property.
4. DIY Shells
While Backyard ADUs can build your home from start to finish, a new trend is purchasing one of our DIY shells and doing the work yourself. Dramatically more cost-efficient, this option can suddenly make building a home possible for some families when it otherwise wouldn’t be.
The name may have you imagining a giant delivery showing up with a million pieces to try and put together like Ikea furniture or just an exterior empty box, but it actually arrives much more ready than you may think. Don’t worry about electrical, plumbing, cabinets, putting up walls or insulation. Instead, all the tricky steps have been done for you and it’s ready for you to add finishing touches like flooring and paint.
We are excited to be working on new ways to support you in the process with soon-to-be released videos for those DIY projects and providing support calls when you get stuck.
Above: One half of a two box shell, already installed with cabinets, plumbing, wiring, and windows.
So while you are not only saving money, you can also finish the project and tell your friends that you did it yourself! Click HERE to get more information.
5. Energy Efficient Homes
The trend towards energy efficiency has been around and is not going anywhere. An incentive-based program offered by MassSave in 2022 is leading the way for more energy-efficient homes and is driving code changes that will set these new targets as a baseline in the next few years.
In our first year building, to meet these strict energy goals, we were able to complete 7 homes that qualified for a $15k rebate! Even though this program is only offered in Massachusetts, we are continuing this trend by implementing building practices in the factory and on-site that ensure our homes meet and exceed energy requirements across Massachusetts and Maine.
Not only does this practice positively impact the environment but it also impacts homeowner savings. All of our homes are built Net Zero ready which gives the potential for homeowners to reduce the cost of running their home to less than $700 per year, including heating and cooling!
Above: This Greenfield home qualified for a rebate through Mass Save after receiving a 1.4 ACH50 infiltration rate on the blow door test.
6. Mono Pitched Roofs
If you have been following us on social media you may have noticed the new design trend that our clients have fallen in love with.
Mono pitched (a.k.a. mono plane) roofs not only add a modern feel to any home but they also have practical use. They are often more cost effective and allow for the illusion of a lot more space, which is a huge deal when it comes to a small home. They even provide the opportunity for vaulted ceilings!
One of our favorite benefits is, if you are aiming for net-zero, this style gives plenty of roof area for solar panel installation when facing in the right direction of the sun.
Above: Mono pitched roof home recently built in Williamstown, MA.
7. Wellness Spaces
People are looking for areas in their homes that make them feel good. We don’t just mean home gyms or yoga rooms, as we know that in a small home space is limited. While those things may find a nook in the homes we build, we are instead seeing more things such as natural light, blurring indoor and outdoor space lines, and fresh air being important. People are also prioritizing space for things they love and that which just makes them “feel good”.
We are also noticing people adding more plants to their space and creating useful outdoor spaces that have as much purpose as the ones indoors.
Above: Creating a heart of one grandmother’s home, this kitchen has all the wellness features she hoped for; lots of cooking space with seating to include her grandkids, tons of natural light, large windows that open for plenty of fresh air in the summer months, and a spot to start her plants indoors .
8. Being Bold
White subway tile, plain wooden cabinets and beige walls may always be around, homeowners are now taking more risk when it comes to incorporating bold interior features and colors. Clients are showcasing their personalities in everything from unexpected wall colors, to tuxedo cabinets, and funky light fixtures.
Above: We fell in love with our client Libby’s bold choices throughout her small home, including her blue countertops, unique backsplash, sea foam wall paint and live-edge open shelving pictured here.
Above: Bold paint and cabinet colors in a Portland home.
Do all of these trends have you wondering how you can start the process in building your own small home or ADU? The first step is in ordering a feasibility study to see what’s possible. Head HERE to get started today or CONTACT US if you have specific questions. We would love to hear from you!
Sources: Fratantoni, Mike, and Joel Kan. “MBA Mortgage Finance ForecastMike.” MBA Forecast Commentary: December 2022, Mortgage Bankers Association, Dec. 2022, https://www.mba.org/docs/default-source/research-and-forecasts/forecasts/mortgage-finance-forecast-dec-2022.pdf?sfvrsn=b584bf7_1.
“United States MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate.” Investing.com, Mortgage Brokers Association, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/mba-30-year-mortgage-rate-1042.