Well we need aton more info . A to scale plan of the space showing windows where the entry will be and every meausrement clearly marked . You need to make sure you can do this on the garage you have and also codes where you live. Often garages are not capable of becoming living space with out a huge expense for proper construction So post the drawing here done on graph paper makes it easier to do Post that in jpeg format in a comment DO NOT start another post all things relating to this are now dealt with here in comments .

This has all been done to code and is in place. We are strictly at the layout stage for the apartment. I thought the image above was on a graph. As indicated each square is 1' . I am looking for general layout ideas.

provide more info. will this be a rental ? or family use [lots of relatives or inlaws ?] the most glaring thing to me is why dont you plan later to add an upper level deck or balcony? that would mean changing a window to some sort of door. People like to sit out/ have a small balcony grill.....potted plants including veggies , due to the sun you will receive . Only 1 bedroom with a closet ? ....I dont believe the 2nd room counts as a bedroom then.

need not be this large, but some fresh air exposure beats a stifling closed up living space.

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You are right on target. There is a plan for a deck but there are a couple of options. We can work that out once we have better idea of layout. It would work best over the the driveway at the back part of driveway extending beyond house at back. It will be family (couple) for now but designing for rental in the future. The other option for deck is back right cahgnign that window to slider. Considered doing kitchen over that. It would be afternoon evening sun facing forest.

Second room can be den. With all the wardrobe options I hate to put in closet. I like optiosn to move thigns around.

Where is the main drain? That doesn't run down in the middle of your garage, making it useless? Where are the bedrooms? Where is the mud area? What type of sealing off the entrance are you doing from the garage, because the rise run doesn't seem to be enough room for a doored vestibule at the bottom where you need it. NOt without eating into the garage space. ETC>

The main drain goes out the wall right where it says septic. The stairs do turn at the bottom but is irrelevant to the upstairs layout. Did you look at ANY? of the pics?

"This has all been done to code and is in place."

It may be built to code at present, but all the construction that takes place from this point forward will have to address all applicable code issues.

It appears as it is shown in the pictures that if there is a fire in the first floor space the only option for second floor occupants is out the windows. It is a good idea to enclose the stairs with a fire separation so one can travel from the second floor to the outside grade without entering the 'garage' space.

Consider engaging a local architect that can address code issues before they are violated and perhaps come up with a better design.

yes, we will be having an architect and engineer and all the other needed trades with all the permits and all the orders. All I am looking for is SUGGESTIONS for layout!! Just wanted to pick the brains of people to see, hmmmm, how would you lay this out? That is all. I am not looing for architectural drawings. Just a fun, imagination creative question. Sorry if this has caused such confusion. I seem to be getting questions looking for such detail. Don't worry about the small stuff. just looking for creative solutions.

We need actual dimension labels on the layout. Counting boxes is very imprecise and usually not accurate - especially with such a large scale (6" or 3" is a better scale).

See the Featured Answer in the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread for more information

Here's an excerpt from the Read Me thread I referenced above:

.

Please post a fully-measured layout of the space under consideration and a sketch of the entire floor with each room labeled (Dining Room, Family Room, etc.). Both can be either hand-drawn, computer generated, or drawn up with computer/app tools.

By "fully-measured", we mean a layout with the widths of each wall/window/door/doorway and the distances between each wall/window/door/doorway labeled. See a sample below. If something cannot be moved or changed, label it precisely on your layout (see post in sample) and tell us why it cannot be moved/changed -- we may have some ideas for you.

The sketch of the entire floor lets us see how the Kitchen relates to the rest of the home. It doesn't have to be to-scale, but it should accurately show how the rooms relate to each other and should include all interior & exterior doors. In addition, it will help us see how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen. Label the front entry and family entry. The family entry is usually a garage or side entry, but it might not be. It's helpful to know which door you use to bring in groceries.

Regardless of how you draw it up (by hand, computer, etc.), please be sure all measurements are labeled. (Note: Computer generated layouts often lack key measurements and, sometimes, measure to/from things like the middle of a wall or the middle of a window. Neither are useful. Measure each item and the distances between each item.)

Other questions...

• Tell us about you and your family and how you plan to use your Kitchen. All-adults? Empty Nesters? Children (now or in the future)?
• What appliances (& their sizes) do you plan to have?
• Where are you flexible? Can walls/windows/doors/doorways change (move, change size, add, delete)?
• Do you have a basement under the Kitchen or are you on a slab?

"yes, we will be having an architect and engineer and all the other needed trades with all the permits and all the orders."

What are you expecting the architect to do?

I think you are over estimating what can go into such a small space. 2 bedrooms is very ambitious, and 16x16 is too small for public living space and kitchen for 2 bedrooms. Better to be a nice 1 bedroom, with enough space for your other things than what you are planning. Plus all the issues with codes that this has.

Dovetailing on Mcdonalds previous comment. since you wont put in a closet anyway take off the walls around 2nd bedroom . i lived in an apt called ”alcove” w such an L shape . people can use screens and hidea beds futons etc. esp since you only have 1 bath anyway. the alcove could be an office area….anyway the footprint greater than 16 sq feet for living/ kitchen would be an improvement.

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In what state do you live?

https://villahomes.com/blog/adu-aid-programs/

It seems yu are not willing to put in the effort to show measurements I for one have no intention of counting squares and assuming this is to scale . This like many other dilemmas on this site are addressed by pros who have a great understanding of design and what is best. What does accessibility have to do with this ? A staircase limits accessibility . If you get snarky about the help you will not get much help

Based solely on a 40x36 space with the stairs and entry defined I would probably start with something like this:

I would also go and visit smaller 2 br homes model homes and see what they have, what you like and what you don't like.

In the above layout I'd reverse the swing of the entrance door.

Good design is next to impossible when poor information is provided.