An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, gives you a way to add useful living space without building an entirely new home. But because ADUs are often designed around a smaller footprint, making the space feel comfortable and open can take some creativity.

Natural light can make a big difference.

While windows are an obvious way to bring daylight into an ADU, they aren’t always practical for every room. The location of the ADU, neighboring structures, privacy concerns, and the layout of the space can all limit where you can put them.