How To Maximise Space When Building Granny Flats?

Tips For Making More Space In Your Granny Flat

Granny flats are a common type of dwelling in Australia because of their affordability and adaptability. Space optimisation is essential for any project, including the housing of relatives, the generation of rental income, or the establishment of a personal office. Here are some effective methods for doing so:

Think About The Layout And Flow.

The design and functionality of a granny flat should be carefully planned. A suitable granny apartment will provide liveable space, including a kitchen, a bedroom, a living room, and a bathroom. A well-planned interior will be bright and airy, with plenty of windows and flexibility to move around the furniture and keep things organised.

Keep Storage In Mind While Building

Any cluttered room will look smaller and more chaotic than it actually is. This effect will be magnified in the case of a granny flat. Storage solutions that fold away or are concealed within existing furniture are great options when designing a granny flat. Beds and couches that can be used as extra storage are one option.

The granny flat should have plenty of built-in storage, particularly in the kitchen, laundry area, and bedroom. Storage solutions like cabinets, cupboards, and wardrobes should be built right into the layout when possible. This means there will be less clutter and less need for large, separate storage units.

Utilise Furniture With Multiple Uses.

Maximising space is one of the most difficult difficulties when building a granny apartment. Consider investing in multi-functional pieces of furniture like a pull-out couch or a bed that incorporates storage space as a solution to this problem. These pieces of furniture can assist in creating additional usable space and reducing clutter, contributing to the impression that the granny flat is both larger and better organised.

Dining & Kitchens

There's never enough space in the kitchen, and it's always full of cumbersome gadgets that take up annoying amounts of counter and cupboard space, but removing them isn't really an option. A common mistake is to make the kitchen the largest room in the granny flat, which can cut into the rest of your living area and make the whole place feel cramped.

Fortunately, there are many options for minimising clutter in the kitchen. You can also use your imagination when it comes to storage. In a cramped kitchen, overhead storage is essential. With these, you can keep large objects close at hand without having to give up precious floor space.

Think about whether or not a separate dining table is necessary. Install an island bench and chairs to make the kitchen more conducive to eating. Although dining tables are prefered, you should consider the size of your dining area and the frequency with which you use the table. When we suggest that our customers replace their dining tables with an island bench and stools, they are typically astonished by the extra room this creates.

It Is Possible To Combine Style And Space.

The floor is your granny flat's second most visible surface after the walls. Floors should be painted in a light tone for maximum visibility. Another thing to think about is having consistent flooring throughout the apartment. The result will be a longer, more continuous sensation of flow.

A more spacious feel can be achieved by choosing an open floor plan in which one room naturally leads into another. Lessening the number of walls in a granny flat is another way to expand its usable space. Also, go for simple furniture that takes up minimal square footage.

Request Custom Design

When it comes to the design of your granny flat, you need to work with a business that provides customised floor plans so that you can get the best results. Because a set of designs confines you, those who live in granny flats frequently experience issues with space. If you have a custom granny flat designer on your team, you can give open floor plans and ample space top priority at every stage of the construction process, allowing you to get the most use out of your granny flat.

Consider A Minimalist Design

Choosing a minimalist layout is a simple approach to increasing the amount of usable space in your granny flat. This design philosophy is opting for unadorned, uncluttered homes by eschewing ornamentation and unneeded furnishings.

The use of minimalist design can also give the sense of greater space, which will result in the granny flat appearing larger and more open. In addition to being a space-saver, it adds a soothing ambience to the room.

Use Outdoor Areas

When designing a granny flat, a few ways exist to make the most of the available area. First, you can expand the living space by constructing a deck or verandah in the backyard of the granny flat. This adds a new room where people can relax outside and enjoy the weather, a book, or a meal.

In addition, you may construct a modest shed that is only devoted to serving the needs of your granny flat. Yes, a separate storage shed can be constructed in addition to the granny flat.

Many granny flats take advantage of their balconies and patios to maximise the available space. Add some plants or other landscaping features and outdoor furniture, like a small table and chairs, to make the most of your outside space.

Choose A Loft Bed.

Having a loft bed instead of using up valuable floor space is a terrific idea for a granny flat. If you have overnight visitors, the main living space can be put to other uses while they sleep soundly in the loft. In addition to being a space-saver, this alternative provides the granny flat with a sophisticated and original look.

Spend Money On High-Quality Finishes.

A granny flat's whole feel and appearance can be greatly improved by installing high-quality fittings and fixtures. Think about adding recessed lighting, crown moulding, solid-surface counters to your kitchen, and a hardy flooring material like tile or hardwood. These finishing touches will make the room look and feel more put together and classic.

Windows Will Widen Your Views

Choosing expansive glass panels is the first step in giving the impression of more space in a granny apartment. You can adjust the size of the window to suit your needs.

 More light enters the room thanks to the large windows. When natural and artificial light is used to illuminate a room, it creates the optical illusion of additional room and depth.

Large windows let in plenty of natural light and provide a glimpse of what's going on outside. A view of the outdoors will make your granny flat feel more spacious. Place your home's largest windows so that they face the most open and aesthetically pleasing area of your yard.

Last but not least, windows enable you to see a subtle reflection of yourself and the room in which you are standing in the pane of glass. This simple method can fool your brain into thinking that there is a larger space than there actually is.

Consolidate Your Entertainment Equipment

The television stands as the focal point of the living room since, let's face it, we all watch TV from time to time (if not too much). A TV stand with numerous components can quickly become eye- and space-cluttering congested.

To begin, the first order of business is to acquire a smart TV (it's 2019!). They come packaged with a plethora of media add-ons, such as built-in DVD players and compatibility for streaming media.

You can save the hassle of hooking up several media players and other devices. Separate DVD players and satellite receivers use excessive room, and the associated wiring poses a serious fire threat. If you need to attach many consoles (for games or paid TV) on the wall, think about getting a mount with shelves.

The space savings from mounting your TV to the wall are obvious, especially because modern Smart TVs are designed to be extremely slim and feature mounting hardware. Putting them on a pedestal or cabinet that must be placed on the floor is a monumental waste of room. This is by far the most common oversight in granny flat layouts.

Don't Forget About Your Walls

Your granny flat's walls do more than provide structural support. They're a clever way to free up more room in your home.

First, let's return to the original point about storage and include vertical storage this time. Install hooks, niches, and shelves to create extra wall space for storage. Extra space and storage can be created quickly and easily in this way, but there is a catch.

It would be best if you made certain that you are not mounting excessive things on your walls. You'll want to avoid giving the impression that your space is overcrowded and cluttered, so find a happy medium.

You shouldn't limit yourself to using your walls for just vertical storage. You can help make the granny flat feel more open and airy by painting the walls a light colour and using white furnishings and decor.

Include Personal Touches

Lastly, make sure to give your granny flat some touches that truly represent you and your individuality. Consider putting in some artwork, some textiles, and other homey touches. This can go a long way towards making the granny apartment feel like an extension of your main house by creating a cosy and homey ambience.

Install Some Sliding Doors

Doors that slide open instead of being pushed or pulled take up less room when not in use and when they are in use. You'll never have to worry about slamming doors into walls again when they can be stowed out of the way in a hollow.

What Are Some Granny Flat Storage Solutions That Save Space?

When planning a granny flat, it is essential to incorporate storage options that minimise the floor area they take up. If you want to maximise your space, consider these suggestions.

Shelves Along The Walls Of The Perimeter

The area around the walls of a typical Granny Flat in Sydney gets the least foot traffic. Use the area of the wall that is down 12 inches from the ceiling. Put up shelves around the room's outer walls. This has the potential to greatly expand available space for storing things.

Clothes In The Corner

You can put up a clothes rack in the unused space. This is an easy and ingenious way to create the illusion of a closet in the bedroom of your granny flat. Even if you already have a closet, the amount of space it has available for storage is likely to need to be improved.

Drawers In The Bedframe

The selection of the appropriate storage bed will determine how many drawers you are able to install. These drawers are perfect for storing a wide variety of items, from clothing to paperwork. The number of drawers that should be included in your bed frames is entirely up to your discretion.

Storage In A Headboard

In many granny flats, the bedrooms are dominated by large beds that take up most of the available space. You shouldn't consider it a constraining element; you should see it as an opportunity for storage space. Invest in a headboard that may double as a storage unit for a wide variety of things, such as books, cherished possessions, periodicals, and even more.

Make A Shelf In Your Radiator

There are a few months out of the year in which you will require a radiator. To get the most out of these units, it is best to construct some storage area inside them. To improve its attractiveness and security, you can either modify it yourself or purchase a cover for it. It is recommended that you purchase a cover with shelving set in place.

Conclusion

A granny flat is a valuable investment that can increase the value of your home, generate extra income, and keep family members close by. Backyard granny flats are supplementary dwellings that can be used as DPUs for elderly or disabled relatives. However, the issue with granny flats is the need for more space, which can be quickly outgrown due to poor design. A granny flat must be at most 80 square meters in size, but there is no restriction on the number of ways you can make your granny flat appear and feel more spacious.

Tips for making more space in your granny flat include considering the layout and flow of the apartment, keeping storage in mind while building, using multi-functional furniture, combining style and space, requesting custom design, choosing a minimalist design, using outdoor areas, and choosing a loft bed.

The layout and functionality of a granny flat should be carefully planned, providing liveable space including a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom. A well-planned interior will be bright and airy, with plenty of windows and flexibility to move around the furniture and keep things organised.

Storage solutions that fold away or are concealed within existing furniture are great options when designing a granny flat. Beds and couches that can be used as extra storage are one option. The granny flat should have plenty of built-in storage, particularly in the kitchen, laundry area, and bedroom. Storage solutions like cabinets, cupboards, and wardrobes should be built right into the layout when possible, reducing clutter and the need for large, separate storage units.

Utilising furniture with multiple uses, such as pull-out couches or beds with storage space, can help create additional usable space and reduce clutter, contributing to the impression that the granny flat is both larger and better organised.

In terms of dining and kitchens, there is never enough space in the kitchen, and it is always full of cumbersome gadgets that take up annoying amounts of counter and cupboard space. To minimise clutter in the kitchen, consider using overhead storage, island benches, and chairs, and consider the size of your dining area and the frequency with which you use the table.

To combine style and space, choose an open floor plan, reduce the number of walls in the apartment, and go for simple furniture that takes up minimal square footage. Working with a custom granny flat designer can give open floor plans and ample space top priority at every stage of the construction process, allowing you to get the most use out of your granny flat.

Choosing a minimalist design is a simple approach to increasing the amount of usable space in your granny flat, opting for unadorned, uncluttered homes by eschewing ornamentation and unneeded furnishings. This design philosophy can also give the granny flat a sense of greater space, appearing larger and more open.

When designing a granny flat, consider constructing a deck or verandah in the backyard, constructing a modest shed, using balconies and patios, and choosing a loft bed instead of using up valuable floor space. This not only saves space but also provides a sophisticated and original look for the granny flat.

A granny flat's appearance can be greatly improved by installing high-quality fittings and fixtures, such as recessed lighting, crown molding, solid-surface counters, and hardy flooring materials like tile or hardwood. These finishing touches will make the room look and feel more put together and classic.

Large windows will widen your views, providing more light and creating an optical illusion of additional room and depth. Place your home's largest windows so they face the most open and aesthetically pleasing area of your yard. Windows also allow you to see a subtle reflection of yourself and the room in which you are standing in the pane of glass. This simple method can fool your brain into thinking that there is a larger space than there actually is.

Consolidate your entertainment equipment, such as the television stand, into one stand with numerous components, such as built-in DVD players and compatibility for streaming media. Mounting your TV to the wall is a great way to save space, especially since modern Smart TVs are designed to be extremely slim and feature mounting hardware.

Don't forget about your walls, as they provide structural support and can free up more room in your home. Install hooks, niches, and shelves to create extra wall space for storage. However, it is best to avoid mounting excessive things on your walls to avoid giving the impression that your space is overcrowded and cluttered.

Include personal touches that truly represent you and your individuality. Consider putting in artwork, textiles, and other homey touches to make the granny flat feel like an extension of your main house by creating a cosy and homey ambience.

Install sliding doors, which take up less room when not in use and when they are in use. You won't have to worry about slamming doors into walls again when they can be stowed out of the way in a hollow.

When planning a granny flat, it is essential to incorporate storage options that minimise the floor area they take up. Some suggestions include:

Shelves along the walls of the perimeter, clothes racks in the corner, drawers in the bedframe, storage in a headboard, and making a shelf in your radiator.

In summary, a granny flat's appearance can be greatly improved by investing in high-quality finishes, adding expansive glass panels, consolidating entertainment equipment, and incorporating storage solutions that minimise floor area. By incorporating these elements, you can create a cozy and homey atmosphere in your granny flat, making it feel like an extension of your main house.

Content Summary: 

• Adding a granny flat to your property can help you achieve a number of things, such as increasing the value of your home, generating extra income, and keeping family members close by.
• A granny flat is a worthwhile investment if you have the room in your yard for one.
• However, the issue with granny flats is the need for more space.
• However, there is no restriction on the number of ways you may make your granny flat appear and feel more spacious.
• Use the following guidelines to create an independent dwelling that is roomy enough to be called a home.
• Granny flats are a common type of dwelling in Australia because of their affordability and adaptability.
• The design and functionality of a granny flat should be carefully planned.
• The granny flat should have plenty of built-in storage, particularly in the kitchen, laundry area, and bedroom.
• Consider investing in multi-functional pieces of furniture like a pull-out couch or a bed that incorporates storage space as a solution to this problem.
• Fortunately, there are many options for minimising clutter in the kitchen.
• Think about whether or not a separate dining table is necessary.
• Install an island bench and chairs to make the kitchen more conducive to eating.
• A more spacious feel can be achieved by choosing an open floor plan in which one room naturally leads into another.
• Lessening the number of walls in a granny flat is another way to expand its usable space.
• When it comes to the design of your granny flat, you need to work with a business that provides customised floor plans so that you can get the best results.
• If you have a custom granny flat designer on your team, you can give open floor plans and ample space top priority at every stage of the construction process, allowing you to get the most use out of your granny flat.
• Choosing a minimalist layout is a simple approach to increasing the amount of usable space in your granny flat.
• The use of minimalist design can also give the sense of greater space, which will result in the granny flat appearing larger and more open.
• In addition to being a space-saver, it adds a soothing ambience to the room.
• When designing a granny flat, a few ways exist to make the most of the available area.
• First, you can expand the living space by constructing a deck or verandah in the backyard of the granny flat.
• In addition, you may construct a modest shed that is only devoted to serving the needs of your granny flat.
• Yes, a separate storage shed can be constructed in addition to the granny flat.
• Add some plants or other landscaping features and outdoor furniture, like a small table and chairs, to make the most of your outside space.
• Having a loft bed instead of using up valuable floor space is a terrific idea for a granny flat.
• A granny flat's whole feel and appearance can be greatly improved by installing high-quality fittings and fixtures.
• You can adjust the size of the window to suit your needs.
• More light enters the room thanks to the large windows.
• A view of the outdoors will make your granny flat feel more spacious.
• The television stands as the focal point of the living room since, let's face it, we all watch TV from time to time (if not too much).
• To begin, the first order of business is to acquire a smart TV (it's 2019!).
• If you need to attach many consoles (for games or paid TV) on the wall, think about getting a mount with shelves.
• The space savings from mounting your TV to the wall are obvious, especially because modern Smart TVs are designed to be extremely slim and feature mounting hardware.
• Your granny flat's walls do more than provide structural support.
• They're a clever way to free up more room in your home.
• Install hooks, niches, and shelves to create extra wall space for storage.
• You shouldn't limit yourself to using your walls for just vertical storage.
• You can help make the granny flat feel more open and airy by painting the walls a light colour and using white furnishings and decor.
• When planning a granny flat, it is essential to incorporate storage options that minimise the floor area they take up.
• If you want to maximise your space, consider these suggestions.
• Put up shelves around the room's outer walls.
• This is an easy and ingenious way to create the illusion of a closet in the bedroom of your granny flat.