When our loved ones get older, they get an itch to be closer to family, but sometimes having someone move into your house with you isn’t possible. Thankfully there are mother-in-law cottages for the times when your mother-in-law needs a place to stay. You set them up in your own backyard, giving her a private, safe space of her own. This setup can be helpful for everyone involved, but how can it really be helpful to add a mother-in-law cottage to your property? What even is a mother-in-law cottage?

What is a Mother-in-Law Cottage?

Kitchen

A mother-in-law cottage is a fantastic addition to a property because it can be crafted with kitchens installed, helping people prepare food in their own homes. This is going to help your mother-in-law feel like she’s at home; she can make her own meals and invite any grandchildren over to have dinner, connect and even give you a night off! The kitchen really is the heart of the home, and with a kitchen in a mother-in-law cottage, you can be sure that your mother-in-law will be able to feel at home. S

Every living space needs a  bathroom and a mother-in-law cottage is no different.Design the bathroom with wide doors, a walk-in shower, and add grab bars to make sure it's as safe as it can be.. With an ADU, you can make those changes and adjustments as necessary, ensuring that your mother-in-law is safe and secure in her new mother-in-law cottage. The customization will also help her feel more comfortable and at home. 

Living room

Everyone needs living space.  In a mother-in-law cottage, a good size living room can create a comfortable atmosphere for reading, television, and relaxing that isn't a sleeping area or kitchen.  Additional space is also great for hobbies and being able to take on different hobbies in the comfort of your own home is incredibly important. With a mother-in-law cottage, your mother-in-law will be able to pursue the hobbies she loves. 

Privacy

Privacy is important. Privacy is a core element of what gives us autonomy as people. Being able to return to a comfortable place all to our own helps make us feel at home. People need a space where they can relax by themselves without feeling pressured to do anything in particular. The mother-in-law's cottage can be an excellent place for your loved ones, near enough to the family, but also a welcome retreat to get away from it all.Everyone should be able to have peace in their own home.Closeness to Family

Getting a mother-in-law cottage built for your mother-in-law to come live in also means she’s closer to family. If she has a medical emergency, or if you need to run an errand and leave her with the kids, she’s right there. Being able to lean on family is an incredibly important thing to be able to do and having your mother-in-law right there incredibly close to you is an amazing opportunity to provide for her. It’s also important to be able to reach out to her quickly if anything does happen to get her medical help if she becomes injured; you can do that easily if she lives right in your backyard. 

Cottage Designs

There are dozens of cottage designs that you can take into consideration to help make sure your mother in law’s cottage has an easy to live in flow. These designs help her feel more at home, comfortable, and more cared for, so it would be wise to take them into consideration for some time. Let her see the different available designs as well; she might have a preference that would encourage her to be a part of the process. If she selects the design of the mother-in-law cottage, sometimes called a granny pod, that you build for her, she will feel more at home and that her opinion is appreciated and respected. 

Having Your Own Space

A small-scale cottage home in your backyard isn’t difficult to maintain, and with your mother-in-law living there, you can really reap the benefits of having a beautiful ADU in your backyard. Giving her her own space in the yard would be a good idea, so she can feel like she’s part of the family and the property in her later years. 
If you’re looking into getting or setting up a mother-in-law cottage, then you’re in luck. Acton ADU is an accessory dwelling unit construction company, and we’re here to help you. We make building a mother-in-law cottage on your property as easy as possible. We’re well versed in the zoning laws in your area, and we can let you know what you can and can't do with an ADU based on where you live. We then would be able to build your mother-in-law's cottage for you from scratch in a timely manner. If you want more information about how we help build a mother-in-law cottage feel free to reach out today!