Planning to make a Granny Annexe your home? Here’s our tips for getting more from your space.

If you’re preparing to move into a granny annexe, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to squish all your stuff into your new one-or-two bedroom abode. True, some careful consideration will be required when it comes to which furniture can come along on your new adventure. However, with some creative thinking, clever storage choices, and, okay, a little compromise, there’s no reason why you can’t bring many of your old memories with you – and create a space that’s perfect for making more than a few new ones too.

In fact, for many people looking to embrace multi-generational living, what they lose in bulky furniture is more than made up for in the joys of being around family.

Here, the experienced team at Garden Annexes gives their insight into getting more from your space.

Make your furniture work twice as hard.

The trick to maximising space is to look for household accessories and furniture that can do more than one thing. And these days, furniture makers have plenty of tricks up their sleeve to build in extra storage, and extra uses, out of everyday objects.

For instance, treat yourself to a stylish ottoman, and fill it with your books, magazines or bed linen. No one will ever need to know what lurks beneath!

Even better, pair it with this Loaf ‘Bed in a Bun’ – you’ve got a chic upholstered bench by day, and a single or double bed by night. The mattress and frame remain completely hidden, and the simple action means all you need is to whip the duvet and pillows out of your ottoman and you’ve got a great bed, for yourself, or your guests (yes, believe it or not, entertaining isn’t out of the question in your Granny Annexe.).

Speaking about entertaining, this is where a ‘console’ form dining table is also a must. When not in use, you can tuck in the chairs. That way you’re not limiting your floorspace.

The kitchen is the place to hang.

All our garden annexes come fitted with sleek kitchens. If you’re passionate about making your kitchen the heart of your home, we’d also recommend adding some neat storage solutions. Start with a few hooks under the cabinets for storing cups, and don’t forget a magnetic strip for all your knives.

For serious chefs, make sure you factor in some wall mounted hanging racks. Fitted all the way up a wall, you can create a lot of space – meaning that while you may have to leave things like your corner sofa and old dining table behind, you won’t have to shirk on your kitchen gadgets.

Meanwhile a kitchen trolley can also turn a small kitchen into a big space. It can become a workspace, storage unit, and instant prep area depending on your needs, before simply tucking snugly away when not in use.

Create zones.

Our Granny Annexes naturally come with an open-plan layout, making them perfect for personalising your space. And the best way to do that is by using decoration to define each zone. For example, you can place a rug down behind your sofa to create a dining area.

Mixing your lighting is also great for establishing moods in different zones of your property. You could use lamps around your living spaces, and overhead lights in your dining area. With a dimmer switch, this is great for adjusting the ambience to suit your needs.

And remember, zoning also helps with storage. By accounting for suitable storage space in each area, you can keep everything neat, tidy and close to hand.

Keep the floor clear.

The more floor you can see, the more spacious your granny annexe will seem. A visit to Ikea is a great way to discover a huge range of storage options, such as vertical shelving, bookcases, and mounted storage, across a wide variety of designs and styles.

Keep it light.

When it comes to choosing your colour style, stick with bright and light shades. But don’t be afraid to thrown in some neutral accents to stamp your personality onto your space – and if you want to go bold, why not choose some bright cushions and accessories too?

It’s all smoke and mirrors.

Mirrors create the illusion of space, and reflect natural light around your home. It’s not just about size though, positioning plays a big part. A horizontal mirror will reflect light back into a room, making the space appear larger and brighter. Vertical mirrors work well when you’re trying to add depth to a smaller room while making it look bigger. This is great for areas like kitchens and bathrooms, where blinds and curtains can obscure your lighting.

Our Garden Annexe range features 4 different styles, in 24 sizes, all of which are available with a range of finishes and options.

Want to find out more? Book a visit to our Garden Annexes Display Area and we’ll be happy to show you the full range, and answer any questions you have about the design, style, installation and maintenance of your garden annexes.