Tiny ideas
The Four Categories of Tiny Living
From a backyard ADU to a standalone cabin, small homes come in a few basic forms — and each one is a little better at certain jobs. Here's how Iowa homeowners match the build to the goal.
Detached ADU
A standalone home in your backyard — the most private option, and the most rentable.
Best for · privacy · rental income · resale value
Rental income
A private long-term rental that helps pay its own way.
In-law suite
Independence for aging parents, with their own front door.
Guest cottage
A comfortable place for family and friends to stay.
Pool house
A finished poolside retreat for changing, guests, and entertaining.
Garage loft
Living space above or attached to a garage — it uses a structure you already have and keeps the yard open.
Best for · small lots · lower cost · keeping the yard
Rental unit
Turn unused overhead space into monthly income.
Adult-kid suite
Room for grown kids to land, close but on their own.
Studio & workspace
A loft to work, create, or run a business from.
Guest quarters
A tucked-away suite for visitors, over the garage.
Attached ADU
An addition connected to your main house — closest to the family, and easiest to look in on someone.
Best for · proximity · caregiving · shared utilities
Aging parents
Care and company next door, under one roofline.
Multigen living
Space for extended family, with independence for all.
Teen suite
A little breathing room for the household's older kids.
Downsize wing
Move into the smaller space and rent out the main house.
Primary or vacation home
A small home that stands on its own — for simpler full-time living, or a getaway on land you love.
Best for · rural & acreage lots · minimal living · getaways
Because it stands alone, this isn't an ADU under Iowa's 2025 law — city minimum-size rules apply, so it's most feasible on rural or acreage land. More in the guide.
Minimalist living
A small-footprint main home for simpler, lower-cost living.
Weekend cabin
A getaway on lake, timber, or family land.
Retirement cottage
Right-size for retirement on land you already own.
Recreation getaway
A hunting, fishing, or trail base camp built to last.
Not sure which fits your lot? Tell us about your property →