Granny flats have come a long way in terms of design and functionality over the years. No longer are they a spare room, furnished with a sofa and a kettle, for an elderly relative. Granny flats can now be a stylish and comfortable addition to your home, with all the modern amenities you would expect. They can be used for a variety of purposes, from an extra bedroom or office to a self-contained living space for elderly parents or relatives.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the different granny flat designs available and some considerations for you before beginning designs.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Before contacting your local home-builder or design team, you should have an idea of what you want from your granny flat. The team at Acrow Granny Flats, for instance, will provide inspiration with a large range of floor plans and designs you can customise.
SIZE
Granny flats are designed to be as comfortable as possible, with plenty of living space and storage. Many people are choosing to use granny flats as their primary residence, instead of traditional homes.
The size of a granny flat can vary depending on your needs and preferences. However, in NSW the maximum dwelling space for a secondary property is 60 square metres in size. The design details will affect how spacious the granny flat feels. For instance, a one or two-bedroom granny flat with a shared bathroom and open-plan living and dining spaces will provide a comfortable living space.
The accommodation will be impacted by the number and size of bedrooms and any outdoor living spaces.
LOCATION
When designing a granny flat, consider the location of the structure. Granny flats can be located on the property line, in the backyard, or on another part of the property. It is essential to work with an architect to determine the best location for the granny flat based on your specific needs and property layout. Your local council may have restrictions and regulations, depending on the size or slope of your block, for instance.
Some things to consider when choosing a location for a granny flat include:
- How will the granny flat be used?
- What is the current layout of the property?
- Ensure there is enough space available for the granny flat.
- What are the zoning restrictions for granny flats in your area?
Once you have considered these factors, you can work with an architect to determine the best location for your granny flat. Granny flats are a great way to add extra living space to your property. Be sure to choose the perfect location for your needs!
BUDGET
Granny flats are cost-effective and, especially if they are being built as an investment, you are likely to get a return on your investment, from a rental income, from day one.
If you have a tight budget, here are some tips for keeping costs down during the design phase:
Choose a simple floor plan
Generally, a one-bedroom granny flat will cost less to build than a two-bedroom. Of course, you risk attracting fewer tenants and restricting your rent potential!
Tell the house builder your budget.
They will have ideas to ensure your build is within your budget.
PURPOSE/USE
Granny flats can now be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Guest accommodation
- Home office
- Studio space
- Teenager’s retreat
- Second living area
There are a range of different floor plans and designs to choose from.
You should always consider future needs, too. When the children have left home, you may decide to “downsize” and live in your granny flat, while renting out your main home.
AESTHETICS
When designing a granny flat, a professional designer will encourage you to consider the aesthetics. What style will best suit you? Are you looking for a modern and sleek design, or something more traditional? Should the granny flat resemble the main house, for example?
The floor plan is also essential to consider. How will the space be used? What kind of layout is most practical and comfortable for the residents? Will there be enough room for everyone to live comfortably? Your design team will have a range of floor plans to work with.
ACCESSIBILITY
For elderly or disabled residents, it’s important to have features like level entryways, ample space for wheelchairs to move around and grab bars in bathrooms.
Some granny flat builders offer special designs for those with limited mobility, but you should always discuss your needs with the builder before signing on the dotted line. They may be able to suggest some modifications or additions to make your new home safer, more comfortable and accessible.
WHICH TYPE OF BUILD?
The most common configurations are:
- Attached – the granny flat is built as an extension of the main house
- Converted – part of your main home, normally a garage, is converted to a granny flat
- Detached Your granny flat is a self-contained, detached home.
GRANNY FLAT DESIGNS
If you have a dream design for your granny flat then you will work with professional home designers to create your dream. Some ideas to start you off, are:
OPEN PLAN STUDIO
This bed-sit style of granny flat usually comprises a large room with kitchen, living and sleeping space, with a separate bathroom and laundry.
If your granny flat is to become a home workspace then this maximises the space available. The open plan design also creates a feeling of space and light, making the studio seem larger than it actually is. Another benefit of the open plan studio is it is easier to clean and maintain than a traditional granny flat.
ONE OR TWO BEDROOM
If you are looking for a Granny flat with more of a homely feel, then the one or two-bedroom option may be more suitable. These Granny flats have a kitchen and living area, as well as one or two bedrooms. This type of Granny flat is perfect for those who need a little more space than what the studio has to offer but don’t want the hassle of maintaining a larger home.
TWO-STOREY GRANNY FLAT
If your plan satisfies the local council requirements you could design a two-storey granny flat. Often the bedroom, or bedrooms would be located on the upper storey, with the kitchen and living space downstairs.
This design provides more privacy for the bedrooms and may even include an extra bathroom.
ADD MORE SPACE!
Don’t forget the outside! Your local council restricts the maximum floor space for the actual dwelling but, especially living in the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter Valley region, your designs should have some outdoor living space. Your alfresco areas may include patios for relaxing and entertaining, lawns, a garage or a swimming pool.
INCLUSIONS – THE FINISHING TOUCH!
Granny flats now include a range of features and inclusions making them perfect for modern living.
Some of the most popular inclusions for granny flats include:
- Kitchenette with sink, cooktop and quality oven
- Bathroom with shower, toilet and vanity
- Bedroom with wardrobe and storage space
- Open-plan living area
- Air conditioning and heating
- Television and internet connection
- Alfresco area for relaxing and entertaining
Always find out, in advance, what is included and what will be an “added extra”. Acrow Granny Flats provides a huge list of top-of-the-range standard inclusions from well-known Australian suppliers including Taubman’s paints, Weathertex cladding and Colourbond steel.
ACROW GRANNY FLATS – OUR BIG DIFFERENCE
We are best known for our granny flats, with hundreds of delighted customers. At Acrow Granny Flats we believe our biggest difference is our customer service. We have repeat customers referred to us by friends or family and we believe our success is partly due to the process we developed for you.
Our 4-step process will ensure you have a stress-free home-building experience but also makes sure you know what is happening at every stage of the process:
1. Consultation
Meet our designers. Tell us about your property dreams. Our design team will use your ideas and our variety of floor plans to develop the ideal design for you.
2. Approvals
When we understood your requirements and we have agreed on a price for the project, we can start the application for local council approval.
This is stress-free for you; our local knowledge means we know the paperwork and regulations required by your local council.
3. Construction
When the council have formally approved your granny flat project, we’ll invite you back to select colour schemes and the inclusions for your home.
We’ll begin work on constructing your new granny flat.
Rest assured, we deliver on time. We have never finished the construction of a new home later than planned!
4. Relationship Management
We are in contact with you throughout the process, with progress reports. Feel free to get in touch with any questions.
We always complete our build with a full internal builder’s clean. When we give you the keys to your home you can move in immediately.
Don’t miss out, contact us today and ask about our amazing granny flat designs.