Including a well-planned kitchen in the layout of a granny flat is a great way to improve the quality of life there. The kitchen is the hub of the home, so it's essential that it be designed with the homeowners' preferences in mind. With the information in this manual, you'll be able to create a kitchen for your granny flat that makes the most of its square footage, is as efficient as possible, and improves the quality of life there. You can use these suggestions to design a beautiful and functional kitchen whether you're cooking for one or ten.
What Are Granny Flats?
Granny flats are secondary dwellings that are constructed on private property. The fact that they require no outside components is crucial. A granny flat is essentially a separate dwelling unit within the larger property.
The flats' original function inspired the name. They were constructed by homeowners so that their elderly relatives could remain in the same household.
However, they are now a promising financial asset. As rents in Australia continue to rise, more and more people are looking at granny flats as an option. They are also a good option for those who wish to downsize from a larger house. Constructing a granny flat on your lot would allow you to live there while renting out the main house.
Granny Flats Can Come In Many Different Forms. Let’s Discuss The Three Main Types.
In-Home Granny Flat
One of the most common kinds is a granny flat that is attached to the main house. Less stringent regulations apply to the building and occupancy of such units. Since the primary structure already exists, all that needs to be done to make them habitable is to add a new front door and some modern conveniences.
Customers with a smaller budget or who aren't planning to rent out the unit will benefit greatly from these units. However, for those who plan to have their in-laws or children move in with them, the lack of privacy between the main house and the granny flat is ideal.
Home-Extension Granny Flat
Granny flats are ancillary dwelling units attached to a primary residence. They add on to the main building's framework to create an attached but independent ADU. The kitchen, bathroom, living area, and bedroom in these apartments are typically self-contained.
Only homeowners who don't mind their suite being physically joined to their main house should consider this layout. While home-extension granny flats are a good option for homeowners looking to house friends and family, they may not be the best choice for those in search of a rental income.
Detached Granny Flat
In contrast to attached granny flats, detached ones stand on their own. Detached granny flats are more expensive to construct, but the added expense can be justified by their use as rental income units.
Building a detached ADU is more expensive and comes with a number of regulations and restrictions. Local ordinances may forbid or strictly regulate such building, depending on the property's location. It's crucial to make sure that customers fully grasp the potential limitations of their project as a result of local regulations.
Regardless, detached granny flats are highly sought after due to the fact that they give residents of both the primary and secondary dwellings greater freedom and seclusion.
Granny Flats: Design Tips For A Functional Kitchen
Open Up The Kitchen
It's crucial to give yourself plenty of room while cooking, so give some thought to how your kitchen is laid out. The space in your kitchen will appear and feel larger as a result. It's a great place for the cook to chat with guests in the dining room or living room. This setup is convenient for keeping an eye on kids while they help with dinner prep or cooking.
Add Kitchen Islands And Benchtops
The addition of a slim kitchen island and some extra bench space will improve the functionality of your kitchen in a granny flat. These areas are perfect for home cooking, intimate dining for two, snacking, or working. They also provide space for you to install much-needed kitchen amenities like an additional sink, drawers, or shelves.
Choose Countertop Materials Wiselysmall Kitchen Countertops
Kitchens can be made more attractive by changing the countertop material. Your kitchen will look more put together if the countertop is a different colour than the splashbacks. Choose a countertop material not just for its colour or design, but also for how it will affect your daily routine. Think about upgrading to marble or tile if you frequently use stain-causing ingredients like turmeric or put hot pots directly on your countertops. You'll have an easier time maintaining the cleanliness and order of your compact kitchen.
Add Personality With Splashbacks
Splashbacks aren't just useful because they protect your walls from oil, grease, and heat in the kitchen. Since they are available in a wide range of designs, hues, and materials, they are also a great way to give your kitchen a unique feel. You can safeguard your kitchen walls from dings and stains with anything from hexagonal marble tiles to reflective mirrors.
Consider Custom Cabinetry
The visual and psychological impact of a cluttered benchtop can be to reduce the perceived size of a kitchen. Use custom cabinetry to make the most of your kitchen's available space. Every inch of your kitchen can be put to good use with the help of a pull-out pantry and carefully measured cabinets. Having more places to put things helps keep your home neat and organised.
Mount Shelves On Walls
Small kitchens benefit from wall-mounted shelves. They're helpful if you can't afford or find room for custom cabinetry. Put these racks where they'll be easily accessible, and stock them with frequently used ingredients and tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Granny Flat
Prioritising functionality in a granny flat kitchen design ensures that the space is efficient, easy to navigate, and caters to the specific needs of the residents. It allows for smooth meal preparation, cooking, and cleaning, making daily tasks more convenient and enjoyable.
To optimize storage space, consider using vertical storage solutions such as tall cabinets and open shelving. Utilize pull-out drawers and organizers within cabinets to maximize storage efficiency. Additionally, incorporate multifunctional furniture pieces like kitchen islands with built-in storage.
To save space, opt for compact appliances like slimline dishwashers, narrow refrigerators, and built-in microwaves. Utilize wall-mounted or foldable tables and chairs for dining areas. Consider installing overhead pot racks or magnetic knife strips to free up valuable counter space.
When designing the kitchen layout, prioritize the work triangle concept, which ensures an efficient workflow between the sink, stove, and refrigerator. Keep frequently used items within easy reach, and allow enough counter space for meal preparation. Consider the placement of windows to maximize natural light and ventilation.
To create a visually appealing kitchen, choose a cohesive color scheme and utilize quality materials and finishes. Incorporate proper lighting, including task lighting for work areas and ambient lighting for overall atmosphere. Add personal touches with decorative elements such as plants, artwork, or a backsplash.
Best Layouts For Your Granny Flat Kitchen
Your new kitchen's form will emerge from your design layout (or floor plan). The kitchen's size, the available floor plan, and the aesthetics of the rest of the granny flat should all be taken into account when planning the layout. It's also important to consider personal taste; after all, there's no point in spending time and energy designing a kitchen if you're not going to be happy with the results.
In this quick article, we'll take a look at the most typical granny flat kitchen layouts.
One Wall Or Linear Kitchens
This is a great choice for a compact granny flat or for anyone who values privacy. Your kitchen's sink, cabinets, and stove tops are all located along a single wall, as the name implies.
It's a given that there won't be a lot of room to work with, but that might not be a deal breaker for you. This could be more than adequate as a place to stay during a vacation. Your tenant may not need a large kitchen if they only prepare a few meals a week. Something more substantial might be in order if, for example, your retired mother is moving in and she enjoys baking.
L-Shaped Kitchen
The extra bench space you get in this way is well worth the minimal increase in foot traffic. A kitchen with an L-shaped layout is ideal for making the most of a tight corner. Some people may find the bench space to be insufficient, especially when considering the dimensions of sinks, cabinets, and stove tops. This layout is prefered in granny flats because it is more space-efficient than a linear kitchen while still maintaining the open feel.
When done right, an L-shaped kitchen can be the ideal compromise between form and function.
Kitchen Island
The island in the kitchen is a contemporary design element that has influenced kitchen layouts everywhere. A kitchen island in the right spot can serve as a conversation pit while you're cooking dinner for friends or family in the adjoining living room. The island is convenient not only for preparing meals but also for sitting down to a meal or a quick cup of coffee in the morning. You should consider the placement of your island in relation to your oven, appliances, and other workbenches.
Galley Kitchen
Since galley kitchens are typically longer than they are wide, they provide a lot of design freedom for one-of-a-kind dwellings. When done right, it can be a great option for compact dwellings (like your granny flat) because it gives you lots of table space close at hand.
U-Shaped Kitchen
This was a popular look throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, but it has since faded from favour. There's plenty of room for the whole family, and the bench top can be converted into a makeshift table if necessary.
There may be bottlenecks in the kitchen with a large group of people, but a couple or a small family shouldn't have a problem with this layout.
Granny Flat Kitchen Space Saving Tips
Wall-Mounted Storage
The items in your room can be neatly displayed. There is storage potential in every inch of wall. The trick is picking a storage option that looks good and serves a purpose. Rather than cramming them all into one drawer, utensil racks make it easy to find what you need when you need it. This knife block can also be used as a shelf for condiments and spices.
The below wall mounted storage is our favourite and is full of character!
These beautiful drawers are perfect for storing dry goods like rice, sugar, flour, and legumes.
It stores spices, adds extra shelving, and has a hook for your most-used cooking tools.
This is the ideal accessory for your granny flat kitchen if you enjoy country or shabby chic decor.
Compact Storage
There's no rule that says spices have to stay in the cupboard. You can display them with pride on your bench, and then grab them whenever you need them. This spice carousel does a great job of displaying them.
The carousel's shiny silver complements the spices' bright hues, making for a decorative as well as practical addition.
Pantry Storage
No article on how to save space in a tiny kitchen like a granny flat would be complete without a discussion of the pantry. Usually, this is where the storage wizardry takes place.
Even though most Australian kitchens come equipped with standard shelving, you can always install additional, more convenient shelving of your own design.
You can maximise your pantry's storage space by purchasing low-cost food storage containers or by installing additional built-in features, such as low-height shelving for smaller items. There is a wide variety of options available.
Conclusion
There are primarily three varieties of granny flats, and they are in-home, home-extension, and in-home. There are two types of granny flats: in-home, or attached to the main house, and home-extension, or an additional housing unit attached to the main house. Usually everything—kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom—is on the same floor.
While a granny flat added onto the side of the house is a great solution for accommodating visiting relatives, it may not be the ideal choice for those trying to generate rental income. The building costs and constraints for detached granny flats are higher than for attached ones. Kitchens that are open and well-designed, with features like islands and benchtops, as well as surfaces like marble or tile for foods that stain easily, are ideal. Homeowners can use these suggestions to keep their small kitchens neat and tidy. Splashbacks are a fun and easy way to give a granny flat kitchen some character.
Space-saving custom cabinetry and wall-mounted shelving are two ways to make the most of a small kitchen's potential. Consider the kitchen's size, the available space, and the granny flat's overall design while planning its layout. When space is at a premium or discretion is paramount, a linear or one-wall kitchen is the way to go. When compared to linear kitchens, L-shaped kitchens are more space-efficient and make better use of a corner. Modern homes often feature kitchens with islands, which are both practical and attractive.
A galley kitchen is an excellent choice for small homes since it allows for creative freedom in design. U-shaped kitchens are no longer the norm. Space-saving tips for the kitchen of a granny flat, such as the use of wall-mounted and compact storage as well as a pantry, make up the bulk of this text. Dry products such as rice, sugar, flour, and beans are best kept in the wall-mounted storage, while the smaller storage units are easily accessible from the bench. Investing in some inexpensive food storage containers or putting in some low-height shelves for smaller products are also great ways to make the most of the space in your pantry.
Content Summary
- Designing a functional kitchen in a granny flat improves the quality of life.
- Granny flats are secondary dwellings constructed on private property.
- Granny flats were originally built for elderly relatives to live with homeowners.
- Granny flats are now seen as a promising financial asset and an option for downsizing.
- In-home granny flats are attached to the main house and offer less privacy.
- Home-extension granny flats are attached but independent ADUs with self-contained amenities.
- Detached granny flats are standalone units and offer more freedom and seclusion.
- Open up the kitchen to create a spacious and interactive cooking environment.
- Kitchen islands and benchtops enhance functionality and provide additional space.
- Choose countertop materials wisely for durability and ease of maintenance.
- Splashbacks add personality and protect kitchen walls in various designs and materials.
- Custom cabinetry maximizes kitchen space and helps keep the area organised.
- Wall-mounted shelves are ideal for small kitchens with limited space.
- Consider the kitchen layout based on the granny flat's size and aesthetics.
- One wall or linear kitchens are suitable for compact spaces and privacy.
- L-shaped kitchens offer extra bench space and maintain an open feel.
- Kitchen islands serve as a conversation pit and provide additional seating and prep space.
- Galley kitchens offer design freedom and ample table space in long layouts.
- U-shaped kitchens offer room for the whole family and can double as a table.
- Wall-mounted storage utilises space effectively and adds character to the kitchen.
- Utensil racks and storage options make it easy to find and access kitchen tools.
- Wall-mounted drawers are perfect for storing dry goods and adding a decorative touch.
- Compact storage solutions, like spice carousels, save space on the kitchen bench.
- Pantries are essential for storage optimisation and can be customised for convenience.
- Additional shelving and built-in features maximise pantry storage space.
- Design a functional kitchen that aligns with personal tastes and preferences.
- Consider the needs of the occupants when planning the granny flat kitchen.
- Carefully select countertop materials based on daily routines and usage.
- Custom cabinetry helps maintain cleanliness and organisation in a compact kitchen.
- Proper kitchen layout and storage solutions enhance the functionality of the granny flat.
