6 Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Ideas

Accessory Dwelling Unit Design: Bringing Glamour to a Small Space

Tampa recently relaxed its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) guidelines—making it easier than ever to turn a little extra space into a cozy house or in-law suite. So, if you're ready to add a bit of liveable glamour to your backyard cottage or garage apartment, the Lisa Gilmore Design team has some fun, functional tips to help you maximize your accessory dwelling unit design.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Design for Tampa Homeowners

A stylish accessory dwelling unit design can be a game-changer. It’s all about making a small space feel luxurious, comfortable, and ready for anything—from out-of-town guests to full-time tenants. Here’s how to make your ADU feel like a little slice of home:

BUILT-IN WINDOW SEAT WITH STORAGE - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

1. Maximize Every Inch

Space is precious in an ADU, so let’s make it count! Think vertically: floating shelves, built-in storage, and tall closets are your best friends here. Multi-purpose furniture, like storage beds or foldable tables, can also be lifesavers. Lofted spaces are fantastic for adding a cozy sleeping nook—especially if you have tall ceilings. Planning out a flow that makes sense for daily living will help even the tiniest accessory dwelling unit feel spacious and welcoming.

2. Light and Bright Finishes for Openness

Small spaces benefit from light-colored finishes that bounce natural light around the room, making it feel airy and expansive. Think whites, soft greys, and creams for the main palette, with a splash of color on a kitchen backsplash or accent wall. Mirrors are a small-space magic trick: they reflect light, creating an illusion of space. If your space has limited windows, mirrors are an absolute must for your accessory dwelling unit design plans.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

OPEN CONCEPT LIVING - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

3. Open-Concept Living for an Inviting Accessory Dwelling Unit Design

Open-concept living is perfect for making the space feel bigger. Merging the kitchen, dining, and living areas creates a connected, cozy feel. For visual separation, use area rugs, mix up the lighting, or add interesting room divider screens. Think pendant lights in the kitchen, and softer ambient lighting in the living area to help “zone” the space without losing the open look.

4. Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials

Since ADUs often serve as guest rooms or rentals, choose materials that are as tough as they are beautiful. Vinyl plank flooring offers style and easy maintenance, while quartz countertops resist scratches and stains. With durable finishes, your ADU will look as good as new, even after plenty of use.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

5. Outdoor Space for Extra Room

Nothing makes an ADU feel bigger than a little outdoor space! A small patio, balcony, or deck can extend the living area and offer a fresh-air retreat. If you don’t have room for a deck, even a simple setup with chairs and potted plants can add charm and give guests their own outdoor escape.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

6. Personalize Like a Mini-Home

Your accessory dwelling unit design doesn’t need to be just a small version of your home—it’s a chance to add cozy, unique touches. Whether it’s mid-century modern or farmhouse chic, you can design it with its own personality. Small design elements like unique lighting, vibrant pillows, or stylish wall art make a big impact without overwhelming the space.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

FAQs: Everything You Want to Know About Accessory Dwelling Unit Design

1. What is the best flooring for an ADU?

For durability and easy maintenance, vinyl plank and laminate flooring are solid choices. Both resist water and are easy to clean, while engineered hardwood can add a warmer, elevated look. In warmer climates, like Tampa, tile is also a great, cool option for high-traffic accessory dwelling unit design.

2. What is the difference between an ADU and ALQ?

An ADU, or Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a separate living area on your property (often a backyard cottage). ALQ, or Additional Living Quarters, are typically part of the main home and used for guests or extended family.

3. What are the new requirements for an ADU in Tampa?

New updates now allow Tampa homeowners to live in either the primary home or the ADU. There’s also room for two unrelated occupants, and eligibility has expanded to new areas like Sulphur Springs, Temple Crest, Wellswood, and parts of Riverside Heights. 

For more small spaces with big design impact, take a look at this Sherlock Holmes-inspired back house and a sunny home designed for a military family!

Need your own glamorous accessory dwelling unit design? Our team is here to help! Fill out our design inquiry form to get started. You can also follow along on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter for more design inspiration.

Lisa Gilmore Design is a Tampa Bay, Florida full-service interior design firm that delivers luxury design services to busy professionals. We manage all the details of renovations and new home builds from concept to final reveal, serving clients in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, South Tampa, Hyde Park, and beyond.

Six Family Room Ideas with a TV

Family Room Ideas with a TV for Ultimate Binge Watching

Ah, remember the days when you had just three TV channels, and if you missed your show, well, you missed it? Fast forward to today, and we're swimming in streaming options! Whether you’re deep into "Only Murders in the Building" or rewatching "Bridgerton" for the 20th time, binge-watching is an art form. But, if you’re a design lover, the idea of a big ol' TV hogging all the attention can be, well, meh. No worries! With a little flair from Lisa Gilmore Design, your family room can be cozy and chic. Here are six fabulous family room ideas with a TV that’ll have you binge-watching in style.

Stylish Family Room Ideas with a TV

If you want to make your TV room a cozy and stylish spot, then get ready to be inspired by these Lisa Gilmore-designed family room ideas with a TV.

OCEAN INSPIRED FAMILY ROOM - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

Ocean-Inspired Family Room Idea with TV: Blending into Bliss

Ever feel like you need a mini vacation after a long day? Surrounding your TV with serene ocean photography, like these dreamy shots from Esther McFarland, makes your room feel like a peaceful retreat. The soothing art draws the eye away from the TV and transports you to a beachy paradise—total relaxation vibes, no plane ticket required!

BUILT-IN WITH TV - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

Bold, Raspberry Built-In with TV: Disappearing Act

Ready to make a bold statement? This raspberry-colored family room idea with a TV is your dream come true! With its custom millwork, eye-popping cerulean and yellow artwork, and a view that steals the show, you might just forget there's even a TV in the room. The raspberry built-in does an amazing job of camouflaging the screen, letting the art and views take center stage. So fun, so fabulous!

Family Room Idea with a TV: Dark Walls = Camouflage

This room started out as a blank canvas with ho-hum tan walls. But with a splash of forest green on the walls and a bright, playful rug, the space went from drab to fab. The rich, dark tones make the TV melt into the background, while the colorful accents liven up the whole vibe. A total win for both style and screen time!

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

MONOCHROMATIC FAMILY ROOM - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

A Balance of Power: Family Room Idea with TV

This stunning St. Petersburg home is bursting with personality! Between the eye-catching circular chandelier, wood ceiling beams, and artful fireplace decor, there’s so much going on, you’ll barely notice the TV. The secret here? Filling the room with interesting pieces—like those black-and-white side chairs and striped daybed—that balance the space and make the TV a supporting character, not the star.

CUSTOM TV CABINET - LISA GILMORE DESIGN

Magic Trick: Custom Hideaway TV Cabinet

Sometimes, you just don’t want the TV out in the open. Enter: Lisa’s custom hideaway TV cabinet in this chic, black-and-white British West Indies-inspired home. This clever cabinet lets you tuck the TV away when it’s not in use. It’s the ultimate family room hack—out of sight, out of mind, and totally stylish. Hideaway magic at its best!

Coastal Family Room Idea with a TV: Fitting In

Designing a coastal-inspired room with a touch of sophistication can be tricky when a TV is involved, but Lisa Gilmore Design nailed it. The key? Custom everything! From the built-in cabinet to the accessories (think coral, books, and cute bird statues), every detail is designed to make the TV blend in, not stand out. Talk about seamless style.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

FAQs: Everything You Want to Know About Family Room Ideas with a TV

1. Where do you position a TV in a family room?

The sweet spot for a TV is at eye level, directly across from your main seating area. Bonus points if it’s away from direct sunlight to avoid glare. Whether you wall-mount it or place it on a chic console, just make sure it complements your room’s layout without taking over.

2. How do you style a room with a TV?

To style a TV (or any item that you love), blend it into the design! Frame your TV with a gallery wall, surround it with bookshelves, or place it on a stylish console. Soft touches like pillows, rugs, and plants will keep the room cozy and balanced, so the TV doesn’t dominate the space.

3. What do you put a TV on in a family room?

A sleek media console, a floating shelf, or a classic wooden stand all do the trick. Just make sure it suits your style and provides storage for remotes and other gadgets. It’s all about function with a touch of flair!

Sure, a TV can feel like a design challenge, but with a little creativity (and these family room ideas with a TV), it can totally fit into your home’s vibe. Whether you’re hiding it away or drawing attention to your fabulous decor, it’s all about balance. And if you’re feeling inspired to go bold, check out our post on colorful sofas—because why not make every piece pop?

Happy styling and even happier binge-watching!

Interested in hiring our team for your design project? Simply fill out our design inquiry form and we’ll contact you for more details.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals and their families. We are a full-service firm that designs and manages renovations and new home construction projects from consultation to reveal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, South Tampa, and Hyde Park. 

Dreamy Baby Girl Nursery: A Whimsical Retreat for Matilda Mae

Lisa Gilmore Design’s Baby Girl Nursery

Designing a magazine-worthy home might come naturally to Lisa Gilmore, but when it came to her own baby girl nursery, the challenge was surprisingly tough! For an interior designer, one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy is creating that special space for your little one. Yet, when Lisa set out to design Matilda Mae’s nursery, she hit a creative roadblock.

Matilda Mae’s Modern Baby Girl Nursery

“As many people know, my style is all about layers of color and pattern. Naturally, I started with that same aesthetic for the nursery, but something just didn’t feel right,” Lisa explained.

Thankfully, she had plenty of time to find her groove before baby Matilda made her grand entrance. The first piece she fell in love with? The crib.

Baby Girl Nursery Green Crib– A Dreamy Centerpiece

Lisa found the perfect crib—the rattan Palm Crib by Nestig, in a lovely shade of green. “It was the only thing I had saved for months that I knew I absolutely wanted in the room.”

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

Moroccan-Inspired Baby Girl Nursery Rug

Then on a recent trip to Morocco, Lisa stumbled upon a soft lambswool rug with stripes in cream, terracotta, and blush. “It was so far from what I had in mind, but I couldn’t resist. I pictured telling Matilda one day how I picked out her rug in Morocco when I was five months pregnant!”

And that’s when the magic started to happen—the nursery design began to bloom.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

Floral Meets Modern in Matilda's Baby Girl Nursery

Knowing Matilda's birth flower was the daisy, Lisa fell in love with a whimsical daisy wallpaper from Nestig. It paired perfectly with the modern rug and the charming green crib. This playful backdrop set the stage for the room’s stunning artwork: a watercolor Parisian map hanging over her crib gifted by a close friend, the special mama leopard and cub art created and gifted by dear friend and artist Rebekah Lazaridis, and the original Madeline art by Ludwig Bemelmans gifted by her uncle and found at an auction in Peru. 

A Chandelier with a Story

Lisa’s love for antiques brought another touch of whimsy to the room: a vintage French palm leaf chandelier she found years ago while antiquing in Atlanta. “I didn’t know where it would go at the time, but when I pulled it out for Matilda’s room, I knew it was perfect. It casts such lovely light, and I could imagine her gazing up at it! And now she does!”

And the cozy Crate and Kids glider with a cute little lumbar pillow in Willow Mint with pink piping by Pepper Home is the perfect place to cuddle. 

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

A Sentimental Baby Girl Nursery Mobile with a Family Connection

The finishing touch? A mobile of tiny ballerinas, hand-stitched by Lisa’s great-grandmother in the 80s. “These delicate dolls hung in my room as a baby, and I was so happy to use them for Matilda’s nursery.” 

The mobile looks so sweet against the Pepper Home custom-made-to-order pink drapery with green tassels. (These were so easy to order online with everything Lisa wanted– blackout lined and pinch pleated with the beautiful tassels that tie everything together.)

Lisa’s dreamy design for Matilda’s nursery is a blend of stories, sentiment, and stunning design—perfect for a little one’s first adventures.

photo: Lisa Gilmore Design

FAQs: Everything You Want to Know About a Baby Girl Nursery

1. What age should a baby have a nursery?

There’s no hard and fast rule for when a baby should have a nursery. Many parents set one up before their little one arrives, but some wait until the baby is a few months old. Ideally, the nursery is ready when you want your baby to start sleeping in their own room—typically around 6 months, according to many parenting guidelines. It’s all about when you feel ready for that transition!

2. What are the best colors for a baby girl nursery?

The best colors for a baby girl nursery depend on the vibe you're going for! Soft pastels like blush pink, lavender, and mint are classic choices, but modern nurseries are branching out with neutrals like cream, taupe, and sage green. If you want a bold pop, deep mauve or peachy coral can add a fun twist. 

3. How do you make a girly nursery?

Creating a girly nursery can be a delightful mix of soft colors, charming patterns, and sweet accents. Think floral wallpaper, plush rugs, and maybe a chic chandelier for a touch of whimsy! You can play with feminine touches like ruffled curtains, pastel-hued decor, or delicate wall art. The goal is to make it cozy and pretty, but also functional and comfortable for you and your baby.

What a dreamy nursery for little Matilda! Before you know it, Lisa will be looking at big kid room ideas for her darling daughter, and we’ll be ready to see her next design adventure

Interested in hiring our team for your design project? Simply fill out our design inquiry form and we’ll contact you for more details.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design specializes in luxury design services for busy professionals. Our full-service, interior design firm, based in Tampa Bay, Florida, creates exclusive spaces through artisan-crafted pieces, antique elements, and personalized designs. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and worldwide.