In August, Camilla Richardson moved out of the home she shared with her husband and into her parents’ converted single‑car garage — a 150‑square‑foot casita. While navigating separation and the early stages of divorce, she found unexpected comfort in returning to her childhood home.
Garage Living Helps Divorcing Daughter Reconnect With Parents
The casita, furnished with a bunk bed, sofa, kitchenette, and small bathroom, provides privacy while keeping her close to her parents, both in their 70s.
Despite initial fears of rekindling old tensions, Richardson says the arrangement has been a gift. Her parents have supported her emotionally, offering space without judgment, and even small gestures — like swapping furniture to make her room more practical — have eased the transition.
Living in such a compact space has challenges, from downsizing belongings to managing chronic migraines. Yet the casita’s blackout curtains, outside entrance, and proximity to her parents’ garden have made it manageable.
Most nights, she shares dinner with them and joins her father in feeding neighborhood kittens, moments she would have missed elsewhere.
Richardson views the casita as a transitional space, giving her time to heal and decide what comes next. More than square footage, she values the renewed bond with her parents during one of the most difficult seasons of her life.
