Forget everything you think you know about the traditional granny flat – these secondary dwellings abound with style.
AS SPACE BECOMES precious, the appeal of the humble granny flat has skyrocketed – although its contemporary incarnations are anything but humble. Once a hastily re-purposed garden shed with a sofa bed and a TV thrown in, now it’s not uncommon to unearth an architecturally designed masterpiece down the garden path – often with interiors as awe-inspiring as the actual home itself. From their traditional use (that is, as a convenient abode for the grandparents) to more millennial options such as a teenage retreat, an on-site yoga studio, or self-contained guest quarters fit for Airbnb, a separate dwelling adds an array of possibilities to your home.
Making A Start
“First and foremost, consider your end user,” says interior designer Ania Forster of Zephyr and Stone. “Access is paramount – if you’re letting the granny flat, private access and screening is crucial. A granny flat that is used by a family member should include a connection to the house through a path.” Also consider how to maximise acoustic privacy, including distance from your home as well as sound insulation. And most of all, take a reality check on the space that’s available – you might be dreaming of a Hamptons-style guesthouse, but do you really have enough space? “Lots less than 400-square-metres might be too small to fit a granny flat,” notes Christine McCorkell, marketing and communications manager at Archiblox, a prefab design company.
Budget Wisely
This story is from the March 2019 edition of Home Beautiful.
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This story is from the March 2019 edition of Home Beautiful.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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