---
title: ADU Design in Los Angeles: Detached & Attached
description: ADU design in Los Angeles: detached, attached and garage-conversion ADUs designed with the main house, modeled in 3D and ready for your builder and permit.
url: https://vividlybuilt.com/services/adu-design
type: service
updated: 2026-10-18
---

Service · ADU

# ADU design in Los Angeles, matched to the house.

*Detached, attached and garage-conversion ADUs designed in the same model as your home, so the backyard, the house and the new unit work as one property.*

## An ADU is a small house. It deserves real design.

An accessory dwelling unit can house family, a guest, an office or a tenant, and in Los Angeles it is often the best value-per-square-foot space a property can add. It is also a small building where every inch matters: the kitchen, bath, storage and sleeping space all have to fit without feeling cramped.

      We design ADUs in the same 3D model as the main house and garden. That means the ADU's windows don't stare into your bedroom, the materials belong with the house, and the yard between them works for both. You walk the unit in 3D before building, and your contractor receives a complete design to price and permit.

      Our [Santa Monica bungalow](https://vividlybuilt.com/projects/spanish-bungalow-remodel-santa-monica) includes a detached, timber-clad ADU designed alongside the full remodel. For costs, rules and timelines, read our [Los Angeles ADU guide](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/adu-design-cost-los-angeles).

    
    
      What's included
      
        - Feasibility check: lot, setbacks, utilities, access

        - Layout options for detached, attached or garage-conversion units

        - Kitchen, bath and storage design for small spaces

        - Exterior materials matched to the main house

        - Garden and courtyard planning between the buildings

        - Finish and fixture selection and procurement

        - 3D renderings and a 360° walkthrough

        - Design package for your builder and permit drawings

## What an ADU costs to build in LA.

Construction cost per square foot, from our ADU cost guide. Design, permits and utility connections are extra.

| ADU type | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garage conversion | $200–$350 / sf | Uses the existing structure; usually the fastest route |
| Attached ADU | $300–$500 / sf | Shares a wall with the house; ties into existing systems |
| Detached custom ADU | $400–$700 / sf | A new small house; an 800–1,200 sf unit is roughly $320k–$840k |

## Design decisions that matter in a small house.

### Ceiling height and volume
A vaulted or taller ceiling makes a 600 sf unit feel far larger than its footprint.

### Windows that keep privacy
Placing glass toward the garden, not the neighbors or the main house, keeps both buildings comfortable.

### Storage built in
Platform beds, wall cabinetry and a real closet keep a small home livable.

### A full kitchen, not a kitchenette
Compact appliances and a well-planned galley give an ADU a kitchen people actually cook in.

### Materials that belong
Cladding, roofing and windows that relate to the main house make the property feel designed, not added to.

### The space between
The yard or courtyard between the house and the ADU is part of the design, with shade, paths and planting.

## ADUs we have designed.

- [Spanish Bungalow Full Remodel & Backyard ADU - Modern Coastal Interior Design, Santa Monica](https://vividlybuilt.com/projects/spanish-bungalow-remodel-santa-monica): Detached timber-clad ADU designed with the full house remodel.
- [Brentwood ADU Extension & Remodel](https://vividlybuilt.com/projects/full-remodel-extension-adu-brentwood): Remodel with an extension and ADU.
- [Backyard Oasis & Retreat, North Hollywood](https://vividlybuilt.com/projects/immersive-backyard-oasis-retreat-design-north-hollywood): Backyard, pool, spa and ADU designed as one retreat.
- [Pacific Palisades Fire Rebuild & New Construction Design](https://vividlybuilt.com/projects/fire-rebuild-pacific-palisades): Fire rebuild with a permitted ADU.

## From backyard to building.

1. **Check what fits.** We confirm what your lot allows and where an ADU can go before any design work.
2. **Plan the unit.** Layout options are modeled in 3D with real furniture so small rooms are sized right.
3. **Design it with the house.** Materials, windows and the garden between the buildings are designed together.
4. **Walk it and approve.** You review the ADU in a 360° tour before pricing and permits.
5. **Permit and build.** Your builder gets a complete design package; we support permitting and construction.

## ADU planning guides.

- [LA ADU Cost, Rules & Timeline](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/adu-design-cost-los-angeles)
- [Soft Costs, Explained](https://vividlybuilt.com/answers/construction-soft-costs-luxury-home-los-angeles)
- [Floor Plan & Space Planning](https://vividlybuilt.com/services/floor-plan-space-planning)
- [Whole-Home Remodel Design](https://vividlybuilt.com/services/whole-home-remodel-design)
- [Cost Calculator](https://vividlybuilt.com/cost-calculator)
- [Fire Rebuild Resource Centre](https://vividlybuilt.com/fire-rebuild)

## Questions about ADU design.

### How much does an ADU cost in Los Angeles?

As a planning range, construction runs about $200–$350 per square foot for a garage conversion, $300–$500 for an attached ADU and $400–$700 for a detached custom ADU. An 800–1,200 sf detached unit is roughly $320,000–$840,000 before design, permits and utility work.

### Can I build an ADU and remodel my house at the same time?

Yes, and it often makes sense: one design, one model and one contractor. On our Santa Monica project the ADU was designed in the same model as the full remodel.

### Who issues the ADU permit?

Your local building department: LADBS for the City of Los Angeles, your own city if you live in a place like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills or Pasadena, or LA County Public Works for unincorporated areas.

### Can an ADU be rented out?

In California ADUs can generally be rented, but not as short-term rentals in most cities. Check your city's current rules before you plan around rental income.

### Do you design garage conversions?

Yes. Converting an existing garage is often the most cost-effective ADU, and good space planning matters even more in a small footprint.

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Tell us about the lot and what the ADU is for. We'll tell you what fits and what it is likely to cost. Get an estimate: https://vividlybuilt.fillout.com/quickstart · Call (310) 776-5480 · info@vividlybuilt.com