What Are the Best Granny Flat Designs in Sydney? [Wealth Creation + Liveable Space Edition]

A granny flat is not only a great way to house any friends, family members, or visitors that come to your home, but also a proven method of entering the world of property investing.

A granny flat is not only a great way to house any friends, family members, or visitors that come to your home, but also a proven method of entering the world of property investing.

With space at a premium in Sydney, you can generate a secondary source income by renting out your new accommodation to Sydneysiders who want to live in the city, but are looking for creative ways to do so.

With all the benefits on offer, it’s easy to think you can just close your eyes and point to a granny flat design, but not all designs are created equally.

If you want to make the most of your available space and rental potential, you have to choose the best granny flat design for your budget and your home.

And we’ll show you exactly how to do it.

What is a granny flat?

Otherwise known as an in-law apartment, this type of accommodation is a small additional space that can be built on the grounds of your home (assuming you have the space).

Don’t be fooled by the name either, because you don’t have to have a grandmother to find a willing occupant or tenant of these multi-purpose abodes. It’s common for Sydneysiders to use their new granny flat to provide living space for:

• Aging parents
• A nanny
• Relatives (visiting or staying)
• Young adult family members looking for independence
• Visiting guests

But enough about *who* will live in your new space, let’s talk about how to choose the best design.

What are the benefits of this type of accommodation?

The best design is one that suits your goals.

There are many benefits to getting a granny flat. However, the best design is one that suits your goals.

For example, if you’re looking to provide a living space for your parents, you’ll want to focus on a design that has minimal stairs, and an open floor plan, especially if mobility becomes an issue.

In contrast, this type of accommodation will need to focus on livability and privacy, to encourage high-paying tenants.

With over 15 years of building experience across Sydney, here are some of the advantages our clients look forward to most:

• Extra storage space
• Extra rental income
• Improve value of their property
• Soft entry into Sydney’s real estate market
• Eco-friendly construction option
• Fast construction option
• Affordable alternative to purchasing a new home

Curious about generating a new revenue stream?Click here to discover how easy it is to create wealth with the right design

What are the building regulations I should know about?

The rules and regulations surrounding the construction vary from state to state.

That said, the rules have become more lenient in recent years, meaning it’s never been easier to construct a standalone accessory apartment on your unused land.

Here’s what you should keep in mind when planning this type of project (we’ve included Australia-wide requirements to help show how easy it is to monetise your unused space, or to create gorgeous homes for friends and family).

• NSW: It should be built on a block that’s at least 450m² and should be at least 60m2 in size.
• ACT: It must be at least 90m2 in size.
• South Australia: It must be between 60m2 and 80m2 in size.
• Queensland: It must be between 60m2 and 80m2 in size.
• Victoria: The floor plans must measure under 60m2 and be under 5m in height.
• Western Australia: It must be between 60m2 and 70m2 in size.

What features should I look for in the best granny flat designs?

When considering your layout, there are many features to consider as part of a great design.

In short, you’ll want to prioritise features that will be durable, attractive and improve your resale value particularly if you’re looking to sell your home or rent your new apartment out.

The best designs will include features like:

✔ Modern design:

A consistent, modern and contemporary theme will help your new space feel welcoming and homey, particularly if you’re using it for old family members.

✔ The essentials:

You’ll want all the essentials, including a bathroom, a kitchen, and adequate living room or bedroom spaces (remember you can opt for 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom granny flats for more space).

✔ Quality construction:

High quality construction materials should be a priority for the foundation, walls, doors, and fixtures. Just because your accessory apartment is smaller than your home doesn’t mean it should be any less quality.

✔ Clever storage space:

Remember, with any apartment, you’re not working with a ton of space. This makes smart storage really important for livability and clutter.

✔ Smart lighting and electricity:

Features like a skylight can really make your space feel big, while renewable energy choices can help the environment and keep your bills down over time.

What are the best granny flat designs?

There are many design options, and the best design will depend on your space, your needs, and your budget.

To help you compare available designs and find the best fit for you, here are our top recommendations to suit wealth creation and space maximisation goals.

1. The Paloma (1-Bedroom)

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward design with a quick construction turnaround (under 4 months) you can’t go wrong with the Paloma.

This straightforward design offers everything that a single occupant might need, including:

• Bedroom for 1-2 occupants with spacious room design, mirrored or sliding glass drawers and melamine shelves
• Bathroom with full height wall tiling and a 600mm vanity and mirror
• Kitchenette with high-quality fixtures, taps, handles, and finishes
• Spacious living area

2. The Reagan (2-Bedroom)

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a comprehensive 2-bedroom design, you should consider something like the Reagan.

This stunning granny flat design offers all the amenities that one would look for in a standard home or tiny home, including:

• 2 bedrooms
• Bath and laundry room
• Living room
• Dining room
• Full-sized kitchen
• Porch

3. The Orchard (2-Bedroom)

Our most spacious 2-bedroom design, the Orchard granny flat offers everything you could want in a home, including two bedrooms, spacious living area with large closet space, a large bathroom, separate laundry room and a complete kitchen.

This is ideal for Sydneysiders who want their new apartment to feel more like a high-quality standard home.

Also, keep in mind that all Bellcast buildings come with high-quality inclusions at no additional cost, including:

Discover more about our industry-leading inclusions here.

What granny flat design is best for generating rental income?

If you’re considering a granny flat for rentals, there are specific features that will help you get renters and generate income.

This features include:

• Private entrance that’s separate from the main home
• Space to work (particularly if you want to rent to a work-from-home professional)
• Air conditioning for those hot Sydney summers
• Large windows to make the space feel large and welcoming
• Views (this could be city views, or simply a sweeping view of the garden)
• Easy access to laundry and any other amenities

BELLCAST TIP: It’s always nice-to-have “extras” that can help renters choose your space over someone else’s. These could be as simple as high quality design and materials, or the inclusion of Wi-Fi to make your granny flat just 1% more appealing.

With the average granny flat rent in Sydney delivering $400 per week, going the extra mile in your design can deliver significant benefits in ROI.

What granny flat design is best for maximising your living space?

These accommodations can feel small, particularly if you have multiple residents living in the space or if you have elderly parents living in the space.

To maximise your living space (and, in the latter case, prevent a fall) it’s important to meet the following design considerations:

• Clever storage design
• Minimalist design and furniture
• Comfortable, high-quality furniture
• An open floor plan to allow for safe movement

Keep in mind, you can design a granny flat for friends and family, and still rent it out to tenants down the line. So don’t feel as though you’ll be trapping yourself in the corner. Our designs are drawn up to be versatile and highly livable, no matter who’s lucky enough to hold the keys.

Looking for help designing your new granny flat?

You already know how competitive Sydney’s real estate market is, why not take advantage with a standalone loving space that can be used by anyone from renters to relatives?

While there are many design options, it’s best to draw up a checklist and stick to it.. To choose the best option for your family, it’s important to consider:

• Your personal needs
• The quality of construction
• The expertise of your builders
• The long-term use of your granny pad

If you’d like help narrowing down your options or exploring our range of one, two and three-bedroom granny flat designs, reach out and organise a FREE design consultation with one of our experts today.

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