It is possible to incorporate both practicality and aesthetics into the design of a compact granny flat. You can make the most of your home's square footage by implementing a few simple strategies. Whether you're downsizing or just trying to make the most of a small footprint, this book will help you make the most of your granny flat. You will learn useful strategies, from how to best store your belongings to which pieces of furniture work best in a small room. Prepare to make your tiny granny flat into a comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing home.
Tips Will Save Space In Your Granny Flat Design
Choose A Granny Flat Design With Large Windows
While it's true that installing larger windows won't actually make your granny flat feel bigger, perception always wins out over logic. For decades, people have turned to natural lighting to draw eyes to the most interesting parts of their homes and shed light on the areas that are often overlooked.
One of the most important factors to consider when designing a granny flat is how much space you want to feel like you have.
The open view provided by the tall windows enhances the interior atmosphere and brings nature closer. The improvement that this makes will astound you.
However, it's not always as easy as it sounds to accomplish this. You can't just go crazy with the window placement.
Cluttered views of the outdoors are the last thing you want when you're already feeling confined.
You must think about the location of your granny flat in relation to the natural flow of sunlight, as well as the size, transparency, and strategic placement of your windows.
Mirrors strategically placed around the interior will maximise the effect of the abundant natural light.
The benefits of self-reflection extend beyond (no pun intended) the simple act of admiration.
Light and colour from windows and other sources can be reflected by mirrors to illuminate dark corners of your sacred space.
If there are too many shadowy, unwelcoming nooks and crannies around your house, it will feel cramped. So, place mirrors in various rooms to determine the most effective layout for your granny flat.
Hidden mirrors in inconvenient locations can do a remarkable job of reflecting natural light or expanding the usable area nearby.
Don't limit yourself to the kitchen and living room. We've found that mirrors, even as a splash-back, are the most effective way to minimise the visual impact of the kitchen's many large appliances.
Accessorize Your Kitchen
The best place to begin when planning more room in your granny flat is with your renowned kitchen.
Large, cumbersome kitchen appliances always seem to find their way into the available space. A kitchen isn't a kitchen without the refrigerator, stove, and cabinets, so getting rid of them isn't an option.
Oversized utensils, salt and pepper shakers, and condiment jars are just a few examples of the many unnecessary items that tend to accumulate in the kitchen. Those quickly add up when your apartment is only 60 square metres in size.
Luckily, there are many options for minimising clutter in the kitchen.
Start with the tiniest details; everyone has a cabinet full of spices and seasonings they like to keep on hand. If you want to cook like a local, you should have at least a dozen different spices on hand (because, let's face it, you can never have too much pepper or basil on your steak).
However, it's difficult to find a good place to store individual spice containers. They are awkward to store because you have to line them up one by one rather than stacking them or stowing them away.
But if you're renting a granny flat, that doesn't mean you can't stock up on delicious foods. A simple spice rack is not only a space-saving method of displaying numerous bottles, but also a design statement for your kitchen.
If you intend to do a lot of cooking at home, you can't go wrong with picking up a few of these.
You can also use your imagination when it comes to storage.
Put some thought into installing upper kitchen cabinets. These allow you to keep large items close at hand without taking up too much room on the ground.
Use Hooks & Wall Mounts
Shelving unit that can be attached to any wall, making it ideal for granny flats
The pinnacle of space-saving storage solutions are hooks and vertical wall mounts.
Since most walls in a granny flat are left empty anyway, these clever tools can be easily incorporated into any design.
They are versatile and can be placed anywhere from the front door to the kitchen to the bathroom.
However, you can have them wherever you like, including the bedroom. They serve the same purpose as a standard bookcase or workbench but take up much less room.
However, don't feel restricted in what you choose to save on them. Cups, pans, towels, condiments, toiletries, clothing, and more can all benefit from being hung from hooks and shelves mounted to the wall. If you have a habit of misplacing your car keys or need easy access to frequently used items, these will save your sanity.
Plus, they make it much less of a hassle to relocate things.
Consolidate Your Entertainment Appliances
Not everyone will enjoy this.
However, if you're a fan of cinematic spectacle, there's no reason your granny flat can't double as a cosy little theatre. The reduction in the number of appliances scattered about your meagre living quarters is a welcome sight.
A well-integrated entertainment system is another way to increase your chances of renting your property quickly. A standard television and DVD player take up a lot of room, but there are ways to minimise their footprint.
A smart TV should be your first purchase. You can get one for any price range, and they feature built-in DVD players and support for streaming services.
You can avoid the hassle of hooking up multiple media players and other devices. When it comes to safety, the excess cabling that comes with standalone DVD players and satellite receivers is a major concern.
Invest in a wall mount with shelves if you need to display multiple consoles at once (such as gaming systems or pay-per-view boxes).
Obviously, you should also wall-mount your television. Smart TVs are designed to be ultra-thin and typically include mounting hardware for the wall.
It's a waste of space to keep them on a stand or cabinet that must be placed on the floor. This is one of the most common blunders made by those renting a granny flat as their primary residence.
A TV wall mount not only protects your TV from accidental damage but also allows you to adjust the viewing angle. It really can't be emphasised enough; make use of them!
Go Forth & Save Space
This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list. Storage solutions for a granny flat can be as creative as they are bizarre.
Invest some time in coming up with novel approaches, and feel free to share your ideas with others.
The trick is to make the most of the vertical space available rather than the horizontal (you'll need the latter for actual walking).
One simple strategy for this is to treat your entire granny flat as one giant canvas.
When you first walk in, take note of the large empty spaces you see throughout the house. Then, consider what you could do with all that extra room. You won't believe the ideas you generate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Granny Flat
To maximise space, consider using multifunctional furniture such as a sofa bed, storage ottomans, or foldable tables. Optimise vertical space by installing wall-mounted shelves and utilising overhead storage.
Look for storage opportunities in underutilised areas such as under the bed, above cabinets, and on the back of doors. Utilise modular storage systems, hanging organisers, and built-in cabinets to efficiently store belongings.
Yes, it is possible to create separate zones using dividers, curtains, or room dividers. Utilise furniture placement to define different areas such as living, sleeping, and dining spaces.
Keep window treatments minimal to allow maximum light penetration. Avoid blocking windows with large furniture pieces. Mirrors can also help reflect natural light and make the space feel brighter.
Use wall-mounted storage options like floating shelves or cabinets to free up floor space. Consider installing a space-saving shower stall or a corner sink. Opt for a sliding door instead of a swinging door to save space.
Maximize Storage In Your Granny Flat
Wardrobes
You can use a little "visual trickery" by combining mirror and frosted glass wardrobe doors. This appears contemporary, tidy, and roomy. It seems more spacious as your stature increases. The practical aspects of putting your things into storage should now be addressed. Let's kick things off with the closet, the most widespread source of clutter.
Start at the bottom and work your way up to maximise your closet space. Most people don't think to put a dresser or shoe rack in the space beneath their hanging garments, but that extra storage space can be put to good use.
If you're in need of some extra wall space to hang things, you can get creative and use a branch. Accessories like jewellery can be stored neatly out of sight in a basket. You can make better use of your closet by installing hanging rods and sliding shelves. Last but not least, the top of the closet is a great place to store things, especially if you use shelf dividers to keep things looking neat and organised (you may need a ladder, though).
Shelving
Hidden spots are a storage hack that most people don't know about; you can find plenty of room to stash your belongings without purchasing any additional pieces of furniture. Floating shelves, ledges, and triangular corner shelves provide useful storage space in otherwise wasted nooks and crannies of a room. You can also make use of the area under your bed (there are storage beds available) or under the stairs (which provide a large blank wall). You can also make use of the space on the sides of cabinets by installing hooks or baskets to store frequently used items.
Kitchen
It's not hard for the kitchen to take on the air of a nightmare. Keeping your station tidy is the first step towards transforming it into a tranquil space conducive to sleep. Putting up wall shelves is another option for clearing off the counter. A shelf stacker or under-shelf basket is also useful for maintaining optimal order. A dirty kitchen is no place to wash your clothes, after all. The most efficient use of kitchen space is achieved by arranging shelves at different heights.
Laundry
Maintaining a spotless laundry room is as simple as upgrading to a new washer and dryer or installing a pull-out ironing board. One tip is to find a laundry basket with dimensions suitable for storage within a closet. You can find suitable alternatives at Ikea and Target. It's a good idea to install cabinets in your laundry room to store cleaning supplies out of sight, keeping the area free of clutter.
With the right mindset and some of these strategies in place, you can easily adjust to life in a smaller dwelling, as we've seen. A journey into an infinite holy void awaits you on your downsized adventure.
Granny flats necessitate clever storage and space-saving arrangements. Granny flats are more restricted in square footage than primary residences. However, with some clever interior design and clever storage options, your vacation home can feel much more roomy.
The abundance of natural light, the view of the outside, and the sense of openness all contribute to the design of a room that features large windows. The addition of overhead cabinets or any other space-saving kitchen gadget is highly recommended.
Walls in granny flats are often underutilised despite their generous dimensions. Clear the floor by hanging as much as possible from hooks and vertical wall mounts.
Mounting your TV and other entertainment equipment to the wall in one convenient location can eliminate a lot of clutter. It's also a big selling point if you want to rent out your granny flat.
Think carefully about the pieces of furniture you put in each room. The pieces of furniture you select should serve a purpose, be functional, and if possible, include additional storage space.
Creating a visually appealing building requires an open floor plan. This aids in making more room. Finally, make use of every space, even ones you might not initially consider, such as the attic.
Conclusion
This guide will teach you how to maximise the use and attractiveness of your granny apartment. It will show you how to make the most of a limited amount of space by maximising storage and making smart furniture choices. When planning a granny apartment, it's crucial to think about how much actual space you want to feel like you have. Strategically placed mirrors can multiply the impression of the plentiful natural light. Mirrors placed in difficult places might reflect natural light or provide the illusion of more space.
To lessen the visual impact of bulky home appliances in a granny flat, mirrors are your best bet. Accessories like spice racks, upper kitchen cabinets, hooks, and wall mounts are great for keeping bulky goods near at hand without taking up valuable floor space. Whether it's by the front door, in the kitchen, or in the bathroom, hooks and vertical wall mounts are the ultimate in space-saving storage solutions. Space-saving tips for a granny flat are the focus of this article. Among these is the installation of wall-mounted hooks and shelves for storing and displaying utensils, cookware, linens, accessories, and more.
To further improve your property's marketability, install a seamless entertainment system. The initial purchase should be a smart TV because of its ability to play DVDs and connect to various streaming services. A wall mount that includes shelves is also a fantastic option for showing off several consoles at once. Finally, a granny flat's storage options are just as likely to be eccentric as they are inventive. Using the ceiling, walls, and any other vertical surfaces as one open area is the key to making the most of a granny flat's limited square footage.
Use hanging rods, sliding shelves, and concealed locations like floating shelves, ledges, and triangular corner shelves to maximise storage in your granny flat's wardrobes. You can conceal things by placing them in the space under your bed, at the bottom of the stairs, or on the edges of your cabinets. Important information in this work includes methods for making a busy kitchen feel more like a restful retreat. New washers and dryers, or at least a pull-out ironing board, are essential for keeping the laundry area clean. Installing overhead cabinets or other space-saving kitchen appliances is a great way to make the most of the limited square footage in a granny flat.
Since the walls in most granny flats go unused, it's crucial to make the most of them by hanging as much as possible from hooks and vertical wall mounts. Choosing useful, practical furniture that also offers extra storage space is a must. Last but not least, don't waste any area, even if it wasn't a priority at first.
Content Summary
- Incorporating practicality and aesthetics into a compact granny flat design.
- Strategies to make the most of your home's square footage.
- Useful tips for storing belongings and choosing furniture for small rooms.
- Transforming a tiny granny flat into a comfortable and functional home.
- The importance of natural lighting and windows in creating a spacious feel.
- Strategic placement of windows to maximize the open view and interior atmosphere.
- Mirrors as a way to enhance natural light and illuminate dark corners.
- The use of mirrors to reflect light and expand usable space.
- Incorporating mirrors in various rooms to determine the most effective layout.
- The benefits of hidden mirrors in reflecting natural light and expanding space.
- Accessorizing the kitchen to minimise clutter.
- Storage solutions for kitchen appliances and utensils.
- The use of spice racks to store and display spices efficiently.
- Installing upper kitchen cabinets to keep large items close at hand.
- Utilising hooks and wall mounts for versatile storage throughout the flat.
- Hanging cups, pans, towels, and other items from hooks and shelves.
- Consolidating entertainment appliances to save space.
- Using a smart TV and wall mounts to minimise the footprint.
- The benefits of a well-integrated entertainment system in renting the flat.
- Making use of vertical space and treating the flat as a canvas for creative storage solutions.
- Maximising storage in the granny flat with wardrobe organisation.
- Combining mirror and frosted glass wardrobe doors for a contemporary and spacious look.
- Utilising the space beneath hanging garments for dressers or shoe racks.
- Getting creative with storage options like using branches or baskets.
- Making use of floating shelves, ledges, and corner shelves in wasted nooks.
- Utilising space under the bed, stairs, or sides of cabinets for storage.
- Organising the kitchen with wall shelves and under-shelf baskets.
- Keeping the laundry room tidy with upgraded appliances and storage solutions.
- Installing cabinets in the laundry room to store cleaning supplies.
- Adapting to life in a smaller dwelling with the right mindset and clever storage solutions.
