There are a lot of options when it comes to providing housing for an aging population, but one of the growing new concepts is something called a granny flat. A granny flat, despite what it sounds like, is not a shoe, but it is something that may help solve a growing housing challenge. So, what is a granny flat? Keep reading, we are going to tell you just that.
Granny Flats could be the next big trend in residential architecture. A Granny Flat, also called an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), is a secondary home that shares the same property as a primary residence. Generally, the purpose of a granny flat is to provide indepence for an aging family member but have them nearby their adult children so they can be close by if needed.
Think backyard cottage, guesthouse, or carriage house. Tiny homes are likely not going to qualify as a granny unit because they would be too small to accommodate things like canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. They also often utilize a ladder to access sleeping spaces and for most elderly family members, a tiny home isn’t going to be a great housing type to act as a granny flat.
Many parts of the United States are facing severe housing shortages, and Granny Flats are an excellent solution to that problem. To provide more housing, zoning restrictions of one house per lot have been lifted in many places allowing secondary dwellings to be placed on the grounds of a single-family property.
Homeowners are now often able to build a small home in their backyard. If you are interested in helping care for an older parent or aging relatives with a granny flat, will have to check your own area’s local laws for the best way to go about making that happen.
These small homes can provide multigenerational housing, which is a fancy way of saying your parents (the Granny part) live in their own home in your backyard. Close enough to provide free babysitting, but not living with you. A mother-in-law suite but with a bit of elbow room.
Homeowners will often use their ADU to generate rental income, especially in high-property-value neighborhoods. Some homeowners even go so far as to move into the secondary house and rent the main house.
What is a Granny Flat?
A Granny Flat falls somewhere between a tiny house (under 500 square feet) and a small home (about 1,400 square feet). Unlike tiny houses, everything is normal-sized; with no miniature bathrooms or kitchens. They usually have one or two bedrooms and one bath.
Granny Flats are also stationary; they are not designed to be movable like a tiny house. They pack a lot into a small living space and are designed to accommodate different needs based on health issues. Physical health concerns are often taken into account, providing ADA-accessible spaces.
These homes are not just for the elderly. They can be a great affordable housing option for a young adult or couple, empty-nesters, or even someone who just doesn’t want a lot of space or a big mortgage, especially with the current state of high housing prices and high-interest rates.
These small houses offer an opportunity for some great designs. Rather than spending money on excess square footage, those dollars can be put towards upgradedmaterials and finishes.
For the most part, the homes presented here fall into two broad types of granny flats: traditional and contemporary/modern design to help you understand exactlywhat is a granny flat.
Traditional Exterior Granny Flat Designs
The traditional style granny flat homes have the charm of an old house. They can also reflect the vernacular style of their location, whether that’s a Southern Shotgun style or a New England stone Colonial style.
A granny flat in San Francisco or San Diego is going to look very different from one in Colorado or Minnesota. But overall these designs will be timeless for the area they are located, mimicking the historical style the particular area is known for.
Contemporary Granny Flat Designs
Usually, I’m drawn to houses with a more traditional style like those above. But, I’m really liking this group of contemporary Granny Flats. The mix of materials and simple forms are interesting and unique
If you’re going to live in a small space, one trick to make the space feel larger is to blur the line between inside and outside. These homes do just that with tons of glass that opens up to the outdoors. Strategically placing these homes on the existing property with views that look away from the main house can really help create a sense of independence.
These designs also incorporate a large outdoor patio space, which again, makes the house seem bigger. In favorable weather, a large patio can act as an extension of the living space, making it seem even larger.
This is just a small selection of Granny Flat designs. There are so many options available – from prefab small homes, to a home kit you can buy on Amazon (what?!?), to a custom design.
Which style do you prefer? Traditional or Contemporary? Do you have a favorite granny flat design?
If you’re thinking about building a Granny Flat, be sure to check out ourGranny Flats Preliminary Planning Checklist.It has the questions you need to ask before you even start planning.
Speaking of questions, Kim has written a post The Ultimate Guide to Granny Flats – Your 23 Most Important Questions Answeredthat you’ll find valuable.
Don’t miss our other posts on Granny Flats:
- Arledge Garage Conversion– free PDF floor plan to convert a garage into an apartment.
- Awesome Storage Ideas for Granny Flats– where do you put all your stuff in a small home?
- Space Saving Appliances That Are Perfect for a Granny Pod– choosing smaller appliances can save a lot space.
- 12 Compact Refrigerators For Your Granny Flat Kitchenette– these refrigerators hit the sweet spot between a behemoth and a dorm unit.
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