Pool House Conversion to Studio ADU (~233 sq ft) – Does This Layout Make Sense?

Question

Hey BP community,

I’m working on converting my pool house into a small studio ADU and would appreciate feedback from anyone who has done garage or pool house conversions.

The structure already exists and has electric and water available, so this is mostly an interior finish project. The goal is to create a simple, efficient Airbnb or mid-term rental unit.

Size:183" x 183" (about 15’3” x 15’3” / ~233 sq ft)

Proposed Layout:

• Bathroom: about 5’ x 7’36"x36" showertoiletsmall vanity
• 36"x36" shower
• toilet
• small vanity
• Kitchenette wallsinkcompact fridgemicrowave~6 ft counter
• sink
• compact fridge
• microwave
• ~6 ft counter
• Main roomqueen bedsmall couchsmall table or desk
• queen bed
• small couch
• small table or desk
• Mini split HVAC

• 36"x36" shower
• toilet
• small vanity

• sink
• compact fridge
• microwave
• ~6 ft counter

• queen bed
• small couch
• small table or desk

The plan is to keep it clean and simple to get it income-ready first, then potentially upgrade later.

My goals for the project:

• Launch an income-producing guest house• Keep the build cost efficient• Maintain flexibility for short-term or mid-term rental

A few questions for those who have done similar projects:

• Does this layout seem efficient for a ~230 sq ft studio, or would you change anything?
• Would you skip the washer/dryer initially in a space this size?
• Anything you wish you had done differently in a small ADU conversion?
• From a rental standpoint, what features actually increased your nightly rate or occupancy?

Trying to balance functionality, cost, and rental appeal.

Appreciate any insights from the group.

Thanks!

Garrett Crosby · Answer

Good layout for the footprint. Michael covered the space efficiency points well. A few things I'd add from the rental/STR side:

On W/D — skip it for now. For a 233 sq ft STR, a stackable unit takes a disproportionate amount of space and most Airbnb guests on short stays don't need it. For mid-term (30+ days), having laundry becomes more important and you can revisit then. It's easier to add later than to remove a structural change.

What actually moves the nightly rate needle on small units: private outdoor space (even a small bistro table and 2 chairs by the pool area counts), high-quality photos that emphasize the pool/outdoor connection, smart TV with streaming, and fast WiFi clearly stated in the listing. In Destin/NW Florida specifically, the outdoor/pool connection is a major selling point — lean into that in your listing copy and photos rather than trying to make it compete as a standalone room.

Also confirm with your county that an STR license for this type of ADU is achievable before you get deep into the build. Some FL jurisdictions restrict pool house conversions specifically. Feel free to reach out if you want to run the numbers on the rental projections.

Michael Eskenasy · Answer

This is actually a pretty efficient starting layout for ~230 sq ft. The main thing I’d think about in a space this size is circulation and visual openness so the room feels bigger than the footprint suggests. A few small tweaks that tend to make these studio ADUs work better in practice:

1. Slightly adjust the bed placement if possible Even a little breathing room on one side can make the sleeping area feel more intentional instead of a “corner bed.” It also makes the unit feel more like a small suite rather than a dorm-style layout.

2. Keep the kitchenette as clean and built-in as possible A single cabinet run with an under-counter fridge and microwave shelf usually feels much more polished than separate appliances sitting on the counter. It photographs better for listings too.

3. Consider a wall-mounted folding table instead of a fixed desk In a ~230 sq ft space, flexibility matters more than furniture count. A fold-down surface can function as a desk, dining table, or laptop workspace and then disappear when not needed.

4. Skip the washer/dryer initially For a short-term or mid-term rental this size, the space cost usually outweighs the revenue bump. Most hosts just handle laundry during turnovers.

5. Lighting makes a bigger difference than square footage Two lighting zones tends to work well: • softer bedside lighting • brighter overhead or track lighting for the kitchen/living area That alone can make the unit feel significantly more comfortable and photograph better. One small layout tweak that might help the flow: You might try rotating the couch so it faces the TV / kitchenette wall instead of floating it toward the center of the room. That opens up the main walking path from the entry toward the bathroom and keeps the middle of the studio less congested. In smaller ADUs like this, keeping a clear circulation line usually makes the space feel larger and photograph better for Airbnb or mid-term listings. Overall though, for ~233 sq ft this is a solid base layout.

Andrew Glisson · Answer

Have a similarly sized unit behind a LTR we own. These tiny units can do extremely well. Throw a PS5 in there and a small scenter from Aroma360 - and nice soap / shampoo / etc. Dial up the design a bit with better looking fixtures. Make it pop on pics. It'll crush.

Richard F. · Answer

Depending on the vibe of the property and neighborhood, you might look into adding some "Tiny House" features to improve the space utilization. Murphy bed, possibly with a fold down desk that you can use when the bed is closed, or a fold down art piece that becomes a desk, high/low coffee tables that become functional for meals or as a work surface in the high position, and similar items. Just ensure build quality is reasonable for Tenant use. You should have some excellent sources in Fl.