The Backyard Light Studio
Shop the Look / 03
A 361 sq ft backyard studio that lives bigger than it is
Who it's for: A backyard ADU for a renter, a guest, or a family member who wants to live close by.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The BOXABL link is a referral link, and we may earn a referral commission.
We've spent a lot of time thinking about how a small backyard home can feel generous, and this studio is how we'd put those ideas together. Morning light pours through tall windows and moves slowly across a woven jute rug, warming pale walls and honey-toned wood. A rattan-shaded lamp arcs over a reading corner, a round walnut table anchors the room, and soft earthy art gives the walls a quiet rhythm. It's a compact backyard studio that feels open, calm and easy to live in, the way a small California home should. Below, we share each piece we chose and the thinking behind it.
Illustrative rendering, not a photograph. 
1 2 3 4 5
Tap a number to see the piece. The full list is below the image.
Shop this look
Seven pieces, linked on BOXABL and Amazon.
01 02 03 04 05 Complete the room 06 07
Select a number on the image to see each piece.
Everything in this room
Numbers match the markers on the rendering. Items marked "Not pictured" complete the room but aren't shown in the image.
Paint
- 6Not pictured
Rust-Oleum 332141-2PK Simply Home Interior Wall Paint, Gallon, Eggshell Pure White
Finish: Eggshell, Pure White (pre-tinted)
Why we chose it
We wanted clean white walls to let this studio feel open, catching daylight and handing it back to the room. We chose the pre-tinted Pure White for its eggshell sheen, which glows without glare, and the listing describes a low VOC, water-based, very low odor formula that wipes clean, which matters in a space this compact.
Wall paint: The listing states "Low VOC" and gives no g/L figure. Its title includes "2PK" while the listing shows a 1-gallon size, so confirm the quantity on the listing before ordering. Pure White may read slightly cooler than the warm white in the illustration.
Tile & Flooring
- 7Not pictured
PRODURA Natural Oak, 28 mil Heavy Duty Wear Layer, 23.64 sq ft (1 Box), 48 in x 7 in x 8 mm Vinyl Plank Waterproof Click Lock Luxury Flooring
Finish: Natural Oak wood look, embossed texture
Why we chose it
We love how a light, natural oak look carries honey-toned warmth wall to wall, with an embossed texture underfoot. The listing describes it as 100% waterproof with a 28 mil wear layer and an attached acoustic underlay, which is why we paired it with the kitchen corner and garden door. It's FloorScore certified, per the listing.
Flooring: The illustration shows a light wood-look plank; PRODURA's Natural Oak is a close match, but plank tone and grain will differ from the render. The planks are 7 in wide, which may look narrower than the boards in the illustration.
Lighting
- 3
RORIANO 64'' Adjustable Arc Floor Lamp with Natural Rattan Woven Shade
Finish: Brushed gold arc, hand-woven natural rattan shade
Why we chose it
We fell for the pairing of a hand-woven rattan shade and a brushed gold arc, mid-century in line and relaxed in texture. The shade rotates and tilts, and the height adjusts from 54 to 64 inches, so we could picture a warm circle of light landing right over the reading chair. A foot switch turns it on with a gentle tap.
Textiles
- 2
SAFAVIEH Natural Fiber Jute Area Rug 5'x8', Coastal Natural NF368A
Finish: Undyed natural jute, 3/8" pile
Why we chose it
We wanted honest, earthy texture underfoot, so we chose this hand-woven rug in undyed natural jute. Its dense 3/8" pile is firm and resists crushing, which suits the busiest part of the studio. We love that, because the fiber is undyed, its tone shifts gently from batch to batch, as natural fiber should.
Decor
- 1
BOXABL Casita Studio
Finish: Factory-built home; finishes per BOXABL
Why we chose it
We chose BOXABL's Casita Studio as the shell for this story: a 361 sq ft, 19 ft x 19 ft home with a full kitchen and one full bathroom, and we love how its 9'6" ceilings give the room vertical breathing space. BOXABL says it arrives with HVAC, electrical and plumbing pre-installed, and describes a bright, open layout made for the backyard. A simple, well-proportioned shell to build a life inside.
The BOXABL link is a referral link. The illustration is a concept and doesn't show an actual BOXABL unit.
- 4
Ergode Clayton Round Drop Leaf Dining Table, Walnut, 36" Surface, Solid Wood
Finish: Walnut, solid wood
Why we chose it
We chose a round, solid-wood table in warm walnut, sized at 36 inches for small spaces. We love that the drop leaves open for dinner with friends and fold away when the floor is needed back. A quiet, hardworking piece at the center of the room.
- 5
ANHUIB Neutral Boho Abstract Canvas Wall Art, Set of 3 Framed, 16x24 in
Finish: Canvas prints in soft earthy tones, wood frames
Why we chose it
We chose these arcs, lines and circles in a soft, earthy palette to give the wall a gentle rhythm. The prints are on thick canvas in smooth wooden frames, and the set of three hangs with the included no-trace nails.
Notes
- The BOXABL link is a referral link. Details about the Casita Studio come from boxabl.com, so check BOXABL for current specifications and options.
- The illustration is a concept and doesn't show an actual BOXABL unit. Styling in the illustration may differ from the listed products; for example, the table is shown on a pedestal base without visible drop leaves.
- The chairs, plants, kitchen accessories and vase in the illustration aren't linked products.
- The jute rug is undyed natural fiber, so its tone can vary from batch to batch, per the listing.
- Wall paint: The listing states "Low VOC" and gives no g/L figure. Its title includes "2PK" while the listing shows a 1-gallon size, so confirm the quantity on the listing before ordering. Pure White may read slightly cooler than the warm white in the illustration.
- Flooring: The illustration shows a light wood-look plank; PRODURA's Natural Oak is a close match, but plank tone and grain will differ from the render. The planks are 7 in wide, which may look narrower than the boards in the illustration.
- Site work, foundation, utility hookups and local permits are separate from the BOXABL purchase and vary by property and jurisdiction.
- The BOXABL link is a referral link, and we may earn a referral commission.
Amazon sets product details and availability, and they may change.