Best ADU Layouts for Salt Lake City Homes

Planning an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Salt Lake City starts with one important question: What layout will work best for your property and the people who will use it?

An ADU can be designed as a comfortable space for family members, guests, long-term living, or additional household space. However, the best layout is not necessarily the largest one. A well-designed ADU makes efficient use of every square foot while balancing privacy, natural light, storage, accessibility, and everyday functionality.

For homeowners considering an ADU in Salt Lake City, understanding the most common layout options can make the planning process easier and help establish realistic expectations before construction begins.

What Makes a Good ADU Layout?

A successful ADU layout should match the intended use of the space and the characteristics of the property. The location of the ADU, available lot space, utility connections, entrances, windows, and surrounding structures can all influence the design.

Inside the unit, the relationship between the kitchen, living area, bedroom, and bathroom is especially important. Thoughtful planning can help a smaller ADU feel comfortable without wasting valuable space on unnecessary hallways or oversized rooms.

A practical ADU layout should consider:

• Efficient use of available square footage

• Natural light and window placement

• Kitchen and living area functionality

• Bedroom privacy

• Bathroom accessibility

• Storage

• Entry and outdoor access

• Utility locations

• Furniture placement

• Future needs of the occupants

1. Open-Concept Studio ADU

A studio ADU combines the living, sleeping, and kitchen areas into one primary space, with the bathroom located separately.

This can be an efficient option when available space is limited. Removing interior walls can create a more open feeling and allow the main living area to serve multiple purposes.

A studio layout may work well for a guest suite, individual occupant, or homeowner looking for a compact additional living space.

Good design choices can make a studio feel larger. Large windows, built-in storage, an efficient kitchen, and carefully planned furniture placement can help maintain an open and functional environment.

2. One-Bedroom ADU Layout

A one-bedroom ADU is one of the most flexible options for homeowners who want additional privacy.

Separating the bedroom from the living and kitchen area creates a more traditional home layout while maintaining a relatively efficient footprint.

A typical one-bedroom ADU may include:

• One private bedroom

• Full bathroom

• Kitchen

• Living and dining area

• Entry space

• Storage

This layout can work well for family members, guests, or long-term occupants. It also provides a clearer separation between sleeping and living areas than a studio.

3. Two-Bedroom ADU Layout

For homeowners who need more living capacity, a two-bedroom ADU may provide greater flexibility.

A two-bedroom design can accommodate family members, guests, or multiple occupants while still functioning as a compact independent home.

The challenge is making sure the additional bedroom does not make the rest of the ADU feel cramped. Efficient room dimensions, shared living space, storage solutions, and strategic hallway placement can help preserve functionality.

Depending on the property and project requirements, homeowners may also consider whether one bathroom is sufficient or whether additional bathroom space would improve the layout.

4. Open Kitchen and Living Area

Regardless of the number of bedrooms, an open kitchen and living area can be an effective design approach for many ADUs.

Combining these spaces creates a central area where occupants can cook, eat, relax, and spend time together. It can also improve the feeling of spaciousness.

A well-planned kitchen does not need to be large. Cabinet configuration, appliance placement, countertop space, and storage should all be considered during the design phase.

For smaller ADUs, a compact kitchen can provide the necessary functionality without taking up too much of the available floor area.

5. ADU With Private Bedroom Suite

For homeowners planning an ADU for long-term living or family use, a private bedroom suite can provide additional comfort.

This approach places greater emphasis on bedroom privacy and may include a dedicated bathroom or strategically positioned bathroom access.

A private suite can be particularly useful when the ADU will be occupied independently from the main home. The design should also consider entry placement, sound separation, storage, and natural light.

6. Accessible ADU Layout

Accessibility may be an important consideration when designing an ADU for an older family member or someone with mobility needs.

An accessible layout can prioritize easier movement through the home with features such as wider pathways, convenient bathroom access, fewer level changes, and carefully planned entrances.

Accessibility requirements vary depending on the project, so homeowners should discuss their intended use with their design and construction team early in the planning process.

Planning these considerations before construction can be easier and more cost-effective than trying to modify the space later.

Consider the ADU's Placement on Your Salt Lake City Property

The interior layout is only part of the design process. Where the ADU is positioned on the property can influence the entire floor plan.

Salt Lake City homeowners should consider how the ADU relates to the main home, property boundaries, driveway access, outdoor areas, utilities, and neighboring properties.

The orientation of the ADU can also affect natural light and privacy. Window placement should be considered alongside the surrounding buildings, landscaping, and outdoor spaces.

A contractor can help homeowners evaluate the practical construction considerations before finalizing the layout.

Think About Natural Light

Natural light can have a significant impact on how an ADU feels.

Strategically placed windows can make smaller rooms feel more open while providing views toward the yard or surrounding property. However, window placement should also consider privacy, orientation, energy efficiency, and the location of nearby structures.

For an ADU in a residential Salt Lake City neighborhood, balancing natural light with privacy can be an important part of the design.

Don't Forget Storage

Storage is easy to overlook when planning an ADU, particularly when trying to maximize living space.

Built-in cabinets, closets, kitchen storage, bathroom vanities, and carefully planned utility areas can help keep the home organized without consuming unnecessary floor space.

Even a small amount of dedicated storage can make an ADU much more practical for everyday living.

How Property Conditions Affect ADU Layouts

There is no single ADU floor plan that works for every Salt Lake City property.

Lot dimensions, existing structures, access, utilities, grade changes, landscaping, and other site conditions can influence where an ADU can be located and how it should be designed.

For this reason, homeowners should evaluate the property before becoming committed to a particular floor plan.

A layout that looks ideal on paper may need to be adjusted once the actual site conditions and construction requirements are considered.

Choosing the Right ADU Layout for Your Needs

The best ADU layout should begin with how you intend to use the space.

If the primary goal is a compact guest space, a studio may be sufficient. If the ADU will provide independent living for a family member or long-term occupant, a one-bedroom or two-bedroom design may offer greater comfort and privacy.

Homeowners should also think about how their needs could change over time. A flexible layout may provide more value than designing strictly around a short-term purpose.

Plan Your Salt Lake City ADU Carefully

Choosing the right ADU layout is about more than fitting rooms into a floor plan. The design should work with the property, support the intended use, and provide comfortable spaces for everyday living.

For Salt Lake City homeowners, factors such as lot conditions, property access, utilities, privacy, natural light, storage, and construction requirements should all be considered before finalizing an ADU design.

Oakley Homes & Construction serves homeowners in the Salt Lake City area with ADUs, home additions, remodeling, and residential construction. If you're exploring an ADU project, understanding your property and priorities is a useful first step toward developing a practical layout.

Visit the Oakley Homes & Construction website to learn more about ADU construction and residential remodeling in the Salt Lake City area.