ADU Kitchen Ideas: Solutions for Every Budget

ADU kitchen ideas optimize space and comfort, so even smaller homes can still have well-designed and functional kitchens. Whether you’re a homeowner yearning for an efficient, cozy kitchen or a landlord wanting to attract more tenants, we’ve got your back. 

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and so is your accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Although ADUs are smaller homes, it doesn’t mean you sacrifice your kitchen design. You can turn the kitchenette into a functional culinary haven with the best ideas. 

The Value of RenoFi for Home Renovations

We know it’s tempting to install those sliding kitchen cabinets, but do you have enough money for the projects you want to complete? This is where RenoFi comes in handy. Our home renovation financing ensures your ADU kitchen designs and ideas are completed seamlessly and on time. 

RenoFi is a new way to finance your ADU project. ADUs not only increase your home’s value after renovation but can also generate rental income. However, ADUs are costly. If you don’t have enough equity in your current home, funding ADU construction with a home equity loan is impossible.

For example, let’s say your current home value is $500,000, and your outstanding mortgage balance is $400,000. You are planning on adding an ADU and expect the value of your home to increase to $640,000. Your current loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is already at 80%, which means that most home equity loans are out of reach because that’s the maximum LTV they allow. So, your borrowing power using your current equity is $0.

RenoFi, on the other hand, would allow you to go as high as 150% LTV of your current value or 90% of your after renovation value, whichever is lower. So, in this example, while using a standard home equity loan results in your borrowing power being $0, a RenoFi loan allows you to borrow up to $176,000 by using the after renovation value of your home!

Get started with your RenoFi loan here

Now, let’s dive into practical ADU kitchen ideas. Transform your small space into a fully functional, stylish kitchen ideal for creating culinary moments and family time while maximizing the property’s potential.  

Does Your ADU Need a Kitchen?

The simple answer could have been a “yes,” but the laws in your area should give you direction. In most cases, landlords construct ADUs as rentals, so having a kitchenette or kitchen is necessary. 

Even if your ADU is used to host elderly parents or as a guest house, you might want to design it with a kitchen in the event you sell the property in the future. This also determines what or how to create the kitchen to satisfy the current occupants or future tenants. 

Understanding the requirements for ADU kitchen goes a long way in ensuring you adhere to the state laws. For instance, in California, a kitchen should have:

• Counters or a food preparation counter
• Food storage cabinets
• A cooking facility

Considerations for ADU Kitchen Ideas 

Now that you’re contemplating how to make your ADU kitchen efficient, you need to pay attention to particular facets. When it comes to remodeling or designing your kitchenette, consider:

Lighting 

Natural light makes your ADU kitchen feel more open and more extensive. However, not all ADUs have enough natural lighting. So, you can consider incorporating skylights to create a stunning illusion of height and natural light. LED strips and energy-efficient bulbs keep the space well-lit. 

Consider using colored lights for backsplashes, countertops, walls, and cabinets. Reflective surfaces help light bounce around the kitchen, making it feel spacious. 

Budgeting 

Always work within your budget, especially when designing your ADU for hosting family members or guests. Start with cost-effective setups, appliances, and furniture. Opt for standard models and sizes for easier maintenance. 

Choose easy and read-to-assemble cabinetry with an open shelving design. Laminate the countertops to mimic quality materials at a minimal budget. Ensure you invest in quality to enhance your rental income. Spend extra bucks on worktops that are easy to clean and maintain. 

Appliances

Focus on saving space while using multifunctional appliances. Choose slim, efficient appliances to save on utility bills and floor space. Compact living demands a clever approach to your gadgets. 

12 Effective ADU Kitchen Ideas

Discover these 12 ADU kitchen ideas to enhance the bravura and functionality of your small space. 

1. Floating Kitchen Shelves

Maximizing every inch of your ADU kitchen requires creativity. Picture this: minimalist, sleek shelves hanging gracefully in your kitchenette, holding cookware in the air. What’s more magical about them? Unlike traditional ones, floating shelves come in different materials, from modern metal to rustic wood, giving your space an authentic, rich look. 

Freeing up the used countertops and displaying your pans and pots on these shelves is satisfying. Without messy cabinets and jam-packed drawers, your kitchen space will feel larger. Interestingly, floating shelves are practical and chic. Whether you’re a maximalist fanatic or a minimalist maven, kitchen floating shelves  

2. Under-Cabinet Lighting 

You can attest that under-cabinet lighting brings a wow factor that conventional lighting can’t provide. It provides warm and direct illumination to help you when doing daily tasks. With this, you can cook quickly since there will be no dark spots or shadows on the countertops. 

Using LED bulbs for your lighting is efficient, saving you or the tenant on electricity bills. LEDs are known to use less energy than their incandescent counterparts. Besides, under-cabinet lighting offers targeted lighting, so you won’t rely on other lights. It means you only pay for what’s necessary. 

Undoubtedly, under-cabinet lighting enhances your ADU kitchen’s aesthetics. Use sleek LED lights for a modern mini kitchen to create a minimalistic effect. Alternatively, you can opt for warm white lights to add a coy feel to the atmosphere. 

Are you looking to add value to your ADU kitchen? If the answer is yes, then under-cabinet lighting is the solution. When prospective tenants or homebuyers walk into the kitchen, they’ll instantly get drawn to it. 

3. Sliding Countertop Extensions Option

ADU kitchens typically lack counter space, which is a challenge, especially for homeowners who want to rent out their ADUs. But you can remodel your kitchenette for a modern look, even in a squeezed space. 

So how do you do it? Installing sliding countertops is the answer. They make your kitchen practical and aesthetically appealing. As these counters are compact, they’re comparatively cheaper compared to traditional counters. You can also pair your countertop with high-quality materials to suit your taste and preference.

With a sliding countertop extension, you get extra space to organize your kitchen essentials. Thus, it can save you from hustling around to grab the essentials. And since you’ll have your necessities near you, you’ll have less strain on your back. This is advantageous to elderly persons with impaired mobility.  

4. Multifunctional Kitchen Workstation

A multifunctional kitchen workstation or island is a hub that provides a world of possibilities. It redefines how you use your central space in a small kitchen. You can incorporate open shelving, cabinets, and drawers beneath the countertop. This way, you’ll have ample space for utensils, pantry items, and cookware. 

You can also tailor the kitchen island to double as the dining area. Adding bar chairs or stools creates a convenient gathering spot for guests or family. The multifunctional workstation can serve as a versatile spot for those who study or work from home. 

The extending countertop offers a space for your laptop. With the right accessories and lighting, the workstation can transform into a small and productive home office and turn it into a culinary haven in the evening. 

5. Compact Dishwasher 

In a world where space and time are valuable commodities, a mini dishwasher is a livewire in an ADU kitchen. Imagine a small powerhouse that seamlessly tackles dirty dishes and saves time and space. 

Whether hosting guests or renting out your ADU, a compact dishwasher can be the ultimate solution. You might wonder, “Can a compact appliance outperform a larger one?” The answer is outright yes! Compact dishwashers are designed to clean utensils without guzzling energy and water. 

Besides, these items offer faster wash cycles, saving you time. These speedy cycles are also ideal for fragile dishes like wine glasses, meaning no more worrying about chips or cracks. Since they snugly fit into the kitchen layout, you’ll be free to utilize the countertops for entertaining, meal prep, and working. 

6. Incorporating Mirrors for Enhanced Lighting

Incorporating carefully chosen reflective materials into your ADU kitchen injects a touch of modernity and glamor. The reflective surfaces bounce light back into the room to boost brightness. 

Clever positioning of reflective materials enhances the ADU kitchen in different ways. For instance, a mirror behind a hob keeps the tenants attentive to the children without turning around while preparing meals. You can combine this with large windows and glass ceilings. 

Alternatively, you can place a tinted mirror for a lovely, vintage look. Tinted mirrors come in multiple colors, giving you several options for the ADU kitchen. 

7. Built-In Seats With Storage

Square footage and storage are two crucial factors in a small kitchen. Both need maximum utilization for maximum usage. Incorporating built-in seats in the kitchenette allows you to gain seating and storage simultaneously. 

Consider a banquette seat since it won’t take up much space in a small kitchen. You can store large totes, table linens, or reusable grocery bags. You can place the bench near the window to enjoy the morning sunshine as you sip your coffee. The natural light illuminating through the window will also create a good reading spot. 

You can opt for a floating bench if you enjoy going the extra mile. In this case, you can place the storage boxes beneath. Did we mention that cleaning underneath will be an easy task? You can also have the built-in benches across each other to create a coy area to catch up with family members or friends. 

8. Integrating Hidden Charging Stations

Electrical outlets can be installed anywhere in your ADU kitchen, but they shouldn’t appear just everywhere. Hidden charging stations maintain your kitchen decorum by keeping the space uncluttered. 

Besides, electrical outlets can be a roaming danger if they’re within the reach of kids. Children can insert their fingers or touch outlets out of their curiosity. To prevent electric shock, having hidden charging stations is safe. 

If you’re style-savvy, the decorum of your space is always a priority. In cases where the charging spots can’t disappear completely, the stations can be camouflaged with decorative hanging pieces or paintings.   

9. Investing in Convertible Furniture Pieces

When it comes to ADUs, style, and functionality must follow a specific logic. Transformable furniture pieces like tables and shelves allow you to manage your space appropriately. A modular pull-out pantry is efficient for storage. This game-changer design ensures that every inch in a small kitchen is utilized without sacrificing style.

A kitchen island with a built-in grill is handy for cooking aficionados. In an ADU kitchen, every inch counts. A wall-mounted dining table is stylish and also serves as a working table. 

Mobility is vital in ADUs, so a kitchen island cart fitted with wheels will save you the hustle. It’s a versatile kitchen furniture that serves as a storage unit, a makeshift bar, or additional working space. You can also opt for a bistro chair instead of bulky armchairs. The sleek bistro chairs can be quickly and neatly tucked beneath a kitchen island. 

10. Multilayered Corner Shelves 

Corner shelving maximizes your kitchen storage by providing extra storage space without compromising comfort. These units are practical and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your mini kitchen. You can display your expensive pans and pots, organize groceries, or create a dignified focal point.  

The kitchen corner shelves can be incorporated into kitchen islands for organization and additional workspace. They can also be installed in upper cabinets for the ultimate utilization of vertical storage. 

With options ranging from rotating corner cabinets to open shelving, corner shelves help streamline meal preparations and optimize functionality. 

11. Compact Kitchen Appliances 

Kitchen appliances make meal preparation seamless. But it can be challenging when you have a small space. But worry not. There are handy appliances on the market for your ADU kitchen. Invest in compact and efficient gadgets, such as a Nutribullet personal blender, a mini toaster, or a portable air fryer. 

The best part is that these small appliances come at minimal prices. It means you’ll save on kitchen space and money. 

12. Keeping Your ADU Kitchen Decluttered

Make meal preparations easy and breathe fresh air by decluttering your kitchen. Picture this – piled up dishes, full cabinets, old-shaped cookware – it will just be impossible to have peace! 

Minimalism has no rules. So you can declutter the kitchen in a day or in weeks. Attaining a minimalist kitchen is possible without giving out your stuff. It could be removing an extra seat from the kitchen to the living room. You can replace the standing shelf with a corner shelve above the countertop.  

Few dishes mean breaking from a vicious cycle of sink buildup. Do you need five spatulas and different varieties of whisks? One or two cooking tools are sufficient. 

Conclusion

These ADU kitchen ideas are all about creating a stylish and functional space. It’s about utilizing every square foot to its maximum limit. This is where every detail matters, from appliances and furniture pieces to storage and lighting solutions. 

RenoFi allows you to remodel your ADU kitchen to suit your taste and preferences without strain. The loan is unique for homeowners since you can borrow against your property’s worth after renovating.

RenoFi loans are the smartest way to finance a home renovation project. Unlike traditional loans, which are based on your current home value or require you to refinance your primary mortgage and give up your low rate, RenoFi loans are based on the after renovation value of your home. This allows you to borrow, on average, 11x more, get a low monthly payment, and keep your low rate on your first mortgage.

Talk to a RenoFi lending expert today to learn more.