Meet the Design-Build Approach & Our Small-Space Tips
We had a blast scheming with many of you at the Idaho Remodeling and Design Show. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your project dreams with us! We're excited to make some of them happen this year!
NEXT STEPS - Schedule a free consultation with Cody!
The 2026 building season is here! Now’s the time to get your project rolling! Call us to schedule a free consultation with Cody or submit your idea online. Cody is great about doing an initial deep dive into your property and loves helping to figure out what options are available to you.
LEARNING THE BASICS - What is a Design-Build contractor?
The simplest way to explain a design-build contractor, like ourselves, is that we’re a one-stop shop. You can bring your napkin-sketched idea, and we’ll work with you from the beginning concept phase, through the detailed design work, the permitting process and all the way through the construction of your project to your beautiful completed new home. Design-build teams make your experience more efficient, less costly and more timely. Who doesn’t want that?
DEEP DIVE - Floor Plans and How We Design
We’ve decided to take a few of our floor plans public 😄. Most of the ADUs we build will end up somewhat custom because of the uniqueness and limitations of each property, but these example floor plans will give you an idea of what’s possible! As we’ve long said, we are very interested in designing small spaces that feel GOOD! These plans will do just that.
You'll see lofts in a lot of our plans. This is our way of adding room (think office, workout room, storage or craft nook) without going over the square-footage requirements. That’s because this ‘bonus’ loft space is generally not included in the official square footage—it's technically not 'habitable space' due to things like ladder-only access or low ceilings.
Another feature you may notice is the use of a dual-purpose island or kitchen bar. In small homes, it’s often a great idea to eliminate a formal dining table and opt for a modern, multi-functional bar. We like to make sure there’s plenty of overhang on the counters so that several people can pull up their chairs at the same time for a cozy dinner. We also like that we get some extra storage from the cabinets beneath the bar/island. It’s a win-win.
Add more windows! Natural light in a small space can be transformational. Add more windows! Natural light in a small space can be transformational. Just remember: when you use up wall space, you also have to think about where the TV will go, where you’ll hang your coat when you walk in from a snowy winter day (wishful thinking!) and where your furniture, like a bookshelf can fit.
When designing your small home or ADU, we like to ask lots of questions about its intended use and the people who will live/stay there so we can make it uniquely functional.
All the best,
Lindsay and Cody Wassard
Treeline Design & Build
