Best Modern Granny Flat Ideas: How to Get the Most From Your Investment

Read on for a definitive breakdown of the best modern granny flat ideas and how you can make the most of your investment.

You know that a granny flat is affordable and versatile, but what is the right use for you? Don’t answer that question… because we’ve answered it for you. Read on for a definitive breakdown of the best modern granny flat ideas and how you can make the most of your investment.

As the demand for living space in Sydney grows, so does the popularity of granny flats.

These self-contained homes have evolved beyond simple designs and can be tailored to meet a range of wants and needs. With kids living at home for longer, parents living longer, and a volatile housing market, granny flats have become a creative and affordable solution combining architectural flair with practical advantages.

But whether you’re housing family members or using a spacious granny flat as an Airbnb, it can be tough to figure out which design is right for you.

If you’re considering building a granny flat on your Sydney property, we’ve rounded up the best modern ideas to get the most value from your investment.

What type of granny flat designs are available?

Long gone are the days when a granny flat was a simple, boxy structure with a couple of rooms to house the grandparents.

In 2022, there are a range of granny flat styles, designs, and floorplans to suit practically any taste or need. Across one, two, and three-bedroom designs, you can tailor your secondary dwelling to suit an aging relative, a stream of rental income, or an extra living space to expand your primary dwelling.

At Bellcast Granny Flats, we’ve installed over 1,000 granny flats across 15 years, so we know how important it is to deliver a custom project that’s quick, affordable, and stress-free.

Read on to learn more about the best modern granny flat ideas.

Unsure if a granny flat is right for you?Get the full Pros and Cons list here

1-bedroom granny flat ideas

If you’ve got a small to a medium-sized backyard that doesn’t get used, adding a one-bedroom granny flat can turn an underutilised space into something much, much more.

Keep in mind, you’ll need to fulfill the following prerequisites to consider a one-bedroom granny flat:

• 450m2 property
• 12 metres of road frontage
• Residential zone

While pre-set designs are available (and help lower the cost of construction from start to finish), you’re able to tailor your one-bedroom granny flat so it looks exactly as you pictured it.

One-Bedroom Granny Flat Ideas:

• Extra space for adults kids living at home
• Home office for work-at-home parents
• Teenage retreat for adolescents
• Hobby room for empty nesters
• Independent space for those living with a disability
• Sydney families wanting a private guesthouse
• Homeowners looking to provide a modest Airbnb experience
• Living space for families caring for older parents or grandparents

Learn more about one-bedroom granny flat designs here

2-bedroom granny flat ideas

Bigger can be better when it comes to utilising your space and building a granny flat. From 60m2 to 100m2, it’s common to see larger granny flats with more living space be used as long-term investment vehicles for property owners looking to turn Sydney’s real estate crunch into an advantage,

Extra living space and multiple bedrooms also provide significant value for Sydney homeowners who want to expand their living space. Whether creating a modern and private space for family members or extending the home in the form of a stand-alone property, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of the potential of a two-bedroom granny flat.

Two-Bedroom Granny Flat Ideas:

• A mid-range Airbnb getaway
• A private home for mobile and active grandparents
• A fully independent living space for adult kids with a partner or small family
• A separate living space for adult kids saving up for a house deposit
• A downsizing space for retirees looking to release the equity in the primary home

Learn more about two-bedroom granny flat designs here

3-bedroom granny flat ideas

The term “granny flat” can make you think of small, rectangular structures tucked away in the far corner of a backyard… but a three-bedroom granny flat is anything but that image.

Easily large enough to fit an entire family, a three bedder offers the advantages of a standard home for a fraction of the cost. Starting at 60m2, these larger designs offer serious potential in the form of rental income, Airbnb opportunities, or secondary living space.

Three-Bedroom Granny Flat Ideas:

• Luxury Airbnb experience
• Student accommodation (near schools or universities)
• Long-term rental accommodation for tenants with larger families
• Investment property for those looking to enter the real estate market
• The average granny flat rent lands around $300 per week but can go up significantly for larger designs
• with more amenities, privacy, and modern features. This can turn a three-bedder design into a serious money maker delivering thousands in rental income each year.

Or, move into your three-bedroom granny flat when downsizing and use your primary residence to drive even more rental income.

Learn more about three-bedroom granny flat designs here

Is it a good idea to use a granny flat for rental income?

With 15 years working in the industry, this is still one of the most common questions we’re asked.

And the answer is a resounding YES.

In most Sydney suburbs, a two-bedroom granny flat can generate the same rental income as a two-bedroom unit. Imagine you paid $100,000 to construct a granny flat in the backyard of your Sydney home. Once it’s completed you advertise online and quickly get a tenant willing to pay $350 per week.

That is a gross rental yield of 18%. Since properties with a rental yield above 5.5% are considered to produce steady cash flow, you’ll have a viable income stream sitting in your yard where there used to be nothing but underused space.

Looking to learn more about wealth creation?Discover the secrets of a profitable design here

Trust Bellcast Granny Flats to get the most out of your investment

When it comes to the best granny flat usage, the choice can be overwhelming.

With multiple designs, add-ons, customisations, and styles it’s tough to pick a favourite. Throw in the multiple uses and you can quickly feel snowed under and stressed out.

That’s where we can help.

Offering Australian-made, energy-efficient designs across one, two, and three-bedroom designs, we understand what matters to our Sydney clients. So if you’d like to discuss your options, chat through prices, or ask us what type of rental income you can expect, reach out to a member of the Bellcast Granny Flats team today on 04 9191 3030 or get in touch online here.

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