The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has just released a statement in response to our nationwide building materials shortage. It attributes the industry shortages in residential construction to market forces resulting from the current construction boom and the pandemic. The impact is wide-reaching as it affects everyone in the supply chain including builders, suppliers, subcontractors, and of course, our clients.

These supply issues plus escalating costs are resulting in disputes between builders and clients, according to the QBCC, so it is imperative that all parties (builders, their clients, plus suppliers and subcontractors) now work together to agree on possible solutions. Clients need to be kept properly informed of the situation and the impact on timeframes. Clear and open communication is the key to maintaining a good client relationship throughout the build. Builders are being encouraged to find alternatives (for example, hand-pitched roofs in lieu of roof trusses… at Granny and Co Homes we are turning negatives into positives by offering to build high cathedral ceilings with our hand pitched roofs).

The QBCC has released this handy fact sheet which explains the situation and outlines some options available to clients who are experiencing supply issues. We encourage our current and prospective clients to give it a read and contact us on (07) 3180 2681 to discuss and clarify any concerns. In the meantime, Granny and Co Homes are continuing with construction and will keep our clients well-informed along the way.

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A well-designed bathroom can instantly add a sense of luxe to your home and make you feel like you’ve escaped to a day spa. Whether you’re designing a tranquil space to start your mornings, a bathroom with lots of vanity space, or somewhere to make bathtime fun for the kids or grandchildren, renovating or building a whole new bathroom for your home or granny flat can be a really exciting project. 

Here at Granny & Co we have a range of standard inclusions from one of Australia’s leading bathroom product suppliers, Reece, that gives you the freedom to pick and choose your perfect bathroom design. Reece is a great option for our clients thanks to their fantastic showrooms and great customer service.

To get you started thinking about your own modern bathroom design, we’ve put together the biggest bathrooms trends we’re expecting to see in 2021! 

1. Statement tiles

In 2021 we’re expecting to see a bit more of a creative flair when it comes to picking out tiles. Whether it’s an interesting shape, a pattern, or bold colour, you can expect to see shower or vanity splashbacks that will act as a focus point in the bathroom.

2.    Unique vanities

The humble bathroom vanity will also get a makeover in 2021, with much more varied design, colours, and shapes being seen. We’re expecting sleek vanities but with interesting features like brassware and handles, raised sinks, and more curved lines.

3.    Modern hardware

Adding an extra element of interest and a sense of luxe, modern hardware will be one of those small details that bring the bathroom together. In 2020 we’ve seen a real popularity growing with statement matte black, gold, and brass hardware and we’re expecting this to continue for the next 12 months. Silver tap ware will also still be popular but in much more sleeker and modern styles. 

4.    Colour

Another trend we’ve seen over the last 12 months is monochrome bathrooms. However in 2021 we’re expecting colour to make a comeback! Specifically we’re expecting to see lots of teals, deep blues, and baby pinks incorporated through statement tiles, vanities, or the décor.

5.    Free-standing baths

The days of the shower over bath are long gone! If you have room for a bathtub then you’ll be wanting to show it off by choosing a free-standing bath. These really add a sense of that luxe spa feel to the bathroom and are now coming in a really wide range of shapes and sizes.

6.    Plants

In our 2021 interior design trends we’re expecting to see natural fibres and plants throughout the home, and there’s no exception to the bathroom. Think big fiddle leaf figs, small pot plants on the vanity, or hanging planters for extra dimension.

7.    Lighting features

The final trend we’re expecting to see is interesting lighting features Moving on from basic down lights, bathroom lighting will feature hanging pendants, modern chandeliers, and feature sconces.

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If you live in a small home, apartment, or granny flat, then you’ll know all too well the struggles of never having enough storage! From overflowing cupboards and crowded countertops, to messy pantries and unorganised wardrobes, trying to find enough storage in a small space is a big task. Thankfully the team here at Granny and Co Homes have tons of experience with small home solutions, having helped hundreds of Queenslanders build their perfect granny flat, meaning that they’ve picked up loads of handy small space storage tips and tricks along the way. Here are our team’s top 10 ways to instantly add more storage to your small home, apartment, or granny flat. 

1.Look for a bedhead with extra storage 

We all know all handy under bed storage is, but did you know you can also buy bedheads that double as storage? This simple bedhead from IKEA hides it’s storage on the sides, perfect for storing books, phone chargers, and other nighttime accessories. While this bookend bed frame comes with under bed storage and both visible and hidden cabinets built within the bedhead. 

2.Use lazy susans in your pantry

Using lazy susans to organise the countless bottles, sauces, and spices that clutter your pantry is an easy hack that will make it easier to find what you’re searching for when you’re cooking. By purchasing a tiered lazy susan, you’ll also be maximising the storage capacity of your pantry shelf. 

DId you know that all of our kitchens are custom designed to suit each individual client’s needs? This  means we discuss your pantry and kitchen storage needs with our cabinetmaker and design the perfect cabinet layouts to suit you! 

3.Utilise Magnets 

Magnetic strips are a handy way to organise your kitchen knife set, and will remove the bulky knife block from your countertop or bench space. They can be used as a feature accent above your stove, or hidden on the underside of an overhead cabinet. The magnetic strips can also be used to hold small spice jars by installing the strip on the back of the pantry door and sticking a small magnet to the spice jar. 

4.Don’t rule out bench seating 

This one is a great tip if you are designing a new apartment or granny flat, or renovating an existing space. Built in bench seating is an easy way to use wall space, dead corners, and can include build in storage cabinets. 

5.Swap the coffee table for storage ottoman 

While coffee tables can offer additional storage, a storage ottoman will keep your living room clear of clutter and can act as an extra seat if needed. 

6.Reorganise your wardrobe 

The wardrobe is one of those spaces in the home that can become unorganised and cluttered very easily. By taking some time to reorganise the wardrobe you’ll be surprised at how much you can actually store. Check out our blog about the best way to organise a small wardrobe. 

7.Decant your laundry or kitchen products

Trying to fit a range of different sized and bulky bottles and containers into one small cupboard space can result in lots of dead space. Try and find containers that fit and maximise the space and if needed can be stacked on top of each other. Then you simply decant your products, label your new containers, and you’ve instantly got a more organised laundry cupboard or kitchen pantry. 

8.Pick up a few tension rods

Tension rods are handy to have around the house and can be used in lots of different ways. One of our favourite ways is by adding a rod in the shower for more hanging space. Simply install the rod, add S hooks, and then you’ve instantly got somewhere to hang your bathroom essentials. 

Tension rods can also be helpful in cleaning cupboards allowing you to hang up spray bottles or create a second hanging rack in the wardrobe, or in the kitchen to divide a draw into sections allowing you to store lids and baking pans vertically. 

9.Make the most of your shower curtain 

Another easy way to instantly add more storage to your small bathroom is by using an existing shower curtain. Simply use the shower curtain’s hooks to hang a vertical pocket organiser 

10.Don’t forget under the sofa 

If your sofa is slightly raised from the floor, then make sure to use this space for extra storage. Under bed storage boxes work just as well under the sofa, and by matching the colour to your sofa, they’ll hardly be seen.  

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Get the right furniture 

The right type and sized furniture is a must for small balconies or patios. Think about what you’re hoping to use the space for and what furniture will be best suited. Wanting to host more dinners and sit down meals? Then a small outdoor table and chair might be best. Or maybe you’d prefer a more casual lounge setting where you can relax and read a book? Then opt for an outdoor lounge setting with more cushions. Also think about additional storage like under bench or lounge seating, and whether the outdoor dining chairs can be stacked or folded when not in use. 

And of course always measure your outdoor space and entranceway before you head off to go shopping! 

Use textiles to change the feel of the space

Textiles such as outdoor cushions, throw blankets, and rugs can make a balcony or patio a much softer, comfier space to relax in, whether you’re doing stretches or reading a magazine. 

Go vertical 

Just because you have a smaller outdoor space doesn’t mean that you need to miss out on having a garden. Vertical plant walls and hanging baskets are a great way to add some greenery to your space without taking up valuable floor space. We love climbing plants like jasmine that can help provide extra privacy from neighbours and a beautiful aroma during spring, or potted herb gardens that can grow in most conditions.

Think about where you build and position your balcony 

If you are building or renovating your own home or granny flat, make sure to take some time to consider the best positioning of your new outdoor living space. Balconies, patios and decks should ideally be positioned next to the living room which will encourage your family to use the space more and provide easy access for guests. We recommend opting for a  large bi-fold door or stacker door between the living room and deck which will help create a great transition between the indoor and outdoor areas. 

Don’t forget the lighting 

The right lighting can make any outdoor space feel inviting and can help create the right atmosphere to suit your gathering.Dimmable downlights are great because they’re concealed in the ceiling & can be adjusted to provide a warmer feel when needed. Softer fairy lights that can be used when you need a more softer or romantic atmosphere and can add interest and a bit of fun to the space. Alternatively for areas that don’t have much lighting, you might want to look at purchasing outdoor feature lamps which add character to your outdoor space and provide extra lighting. And finally if your balcony and patio receives good sunlight during the day, then make sure to make the most of it with solar lights.

Hopefully, our simple decorating ideas have inspired you to recreate your own outdoor space – even if it’s a small one.

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Granny flats are a great way to combat the high price of a full home, and are perfect for singles, couples and families wanting to save on rent, or for older parents looking to downsize. The downside of some granny flats is that storage space, and especially wardrobe space, can be on the smaller side. Luckily, there are lots of simple storage solutions for turning your tiny closet into a functional and mess-free space.

Here are our top tips for getting the closet or wardrobe of your dreams on a budget.

1.Utilise the space under your hanging clothes 

One of the most underutilised areas of any closet is the space directly below the hanging garments. Normally just dead space, if you can organise your hanging items so that all your shorter garments like shirts and blouses are grouped together, you’ll often find that there is plenty of space for a small cabinet or set of drawers to sit underneath.

2.Double-up your hanging space 

For those who have a large number of items that need to be hanged, why not install a second hanging rack so that you can double up on the space. By installing a second rack underneath the existing you’ll have double the area for hanging shorter items like shirts and blouses. 

3.Make the most out of your coat hangers 

Investing in good coat hangers can work wonders for small wardrobes. These special multi tier coathangers mean that skirts and pants take up half the space, while this multilayer attachment will let you hang multiple coats, dresses, or shirts vertically. 

4. Don’t forget the back of the door
   Another dead space that often gets overlooked, the back of your wardrobe door is the perfect spot to store shoes, ties, jewelry, and accessories. Simply invest in over the door hooks, a hanging shoe organiser, or even a hanging handbag organiser.   

5.Make the most of baskets 

Baskets and clothes boxes are a great way to organise the smaller items in your wardrobe like underwear, bras, togs, and socks. They can also easily be used to organise the wardrobe shelves and will keep your wardrobe looking neat and tidy. 

6.Vacuum-pack your out-of-season clothing 

The best way to make use of a small wardrobe and to make finding clothing items much easier, is by removing out-of-season garments. At the start of the warmer months simply vacuum-pack your heavier jackets, coats, and winter clothing, making more room for your summer outfits. We love to store out vacuum sealed bags in under-bed storage compartments so that they’re still easily accessible if the weather unexpectedly changes. 

Are you looking for an experienced team of Architects, Designers and Builders to help you build the home of your dreams? Granny and Co Homes are Brisbane’s premier granny flat builders. Why not give us a call on (07) 3180 2681 or send us an online enquiry today to find out how we can help you!

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Light Woods
Taking inspiration from the minimalist Scandavian styles, we’re expecting to see light coloured wood everywhere in 2021. From floors and furniture, to accent walls and cabinetry, this trend will help make homes feel lighter and brighter. 

This trend will be really flexible with light wood the perfect complement to both beachy Byron Bay minimalist and casual California interior design styles. It’s also a great neutral backdrop for more daring interior design styles and statement furniture pieces. 

Texture, texture, texture – but make it natural! 

The easiest way to add interest to your home is by including lots of contrasting textures. In 2021 this trend will see us adorning our homes with more natural fibres and textures that will help bring a sense of the outdoors and create a sense of modern warmth. Think woollen throws and rugs, leather chairs, linen throw pillows, and wooden baskets. We’re also expecting the indoor plant trend to continue to rise, with more interesting ways to bring natural greenery into the house including more hanging plants, large statement cactus, and contrasting foliage. 

Indigenous patterns and artworks 

Going hand in hand with natural fibres and textures, we’ll expect 2021 to see us embracing the wonderful raw colours and patterns of Australian Indigenous art. With more and more Indegnious artists being noticed online, they’re works have become popular statement art pieces and are being recreated through bed linen and furnishings. They’ll be a big focus on understanding the stories of the artwork and supporting local artists. 

Everyday luxuries 

With COVID making it harder to go out and enjoy the finer things in life, we’ve started to develop an appreciation for the little luxuries in everyday to life. Think beautiful aromatic hand soaps, scented candles, new bed linen, handmade plates and crockery, and more homemade artisan homewares. Expect 2021 to be all about the small touches that bring a newfound luxury to a home. 

The home office redesigned 

Probably the biggest trend that came about in 2020 thanks to COVID was the resurgence of the home office. And while most workplaces are now slowly moving back to the office, we’re expecting to see lots more flexibility in the workforce with employees being able to work from home more often. From a design point of view, we’re anticipating more modern home office setups, and foldaway desks or knooks that make use of existing living spaces. 

Do you think we missed any major upcoming trends? Let us know your thoughts! Granny and Co Homes are experts in small home solutions, designing and building granny flats that are tailored entirely to your needs and style. To get started on your dream granny flat, get in touch with us today and check out our recent projects for some inspiration!

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With over 15  years experience designing and building granny flats across Brisbane and South East Queensland, our team here at Granny and Co Homes have the knowledge and experience to help you design, renovate, and build your perfect granny flat. So whether you’re just starting on your granny flat journey, are ready to start planning, or are looking to update your existing granny flat, we think there’s no better way to start your project than by talking with Granny & Co Homes crew. 

We recommend that our new clients personally check out one or more of our granny flats – including finished builds and those that are in the process of being built – and talk with our past clients. It’s a great way to better understand what we do and get peace-of-mind about working with us. 

SEE, TOUCH AND FEEL YOUR NEW GRANNY FLAT

When designing your new granny flat it’s important to know that there is no one size fits all approach, and that there are an array of layouts, design trends, and furnishings to choose from.  By visiting one or more of our finished granny flats  you’ll get the chance to see in person a range of colour selections, fixture examples, interior design styles and different granny flat floor plans. 

By seeing our complete granny flats in person and from talking with our team you’ll be able to better understand the options available and how we can help  to meet your needs and budget.

EXPERIENCE OUR ELITE INCLUSIONS FIRST HAND

When building your granny flat, you want to ensure that you’re using quality materials that will last the test of time. That’s why here at Granny and Co Homes we are known for using only the best materials that will provide you with the right balance of quality and value.

While they’re standard across all of our granny flats, our Elite Inclusions are just what the name implies – elite! They’ve been handpicked by our team of experts who understand the importance of finding materials that are quality, functional, budget friendly, and that of course will look great in your new granny flat. 

Click here to view our full range of inclusions.

DISCUSS YOUR DREAM GRANNY FLAT WITH OUR EXPERT TEAM

Building your own granny flat can be a daunting process but you don’t have to do it alone!. We have built hundreds of granny flats and love talking to people about their upcoming projects and aspirations to build.

Our team knows that one size doesn’t fit all, and have experience designing fully customizable granny flats for a range of needs. Whether you need a wheelchair accessible home, have specific space requirements or want to add your own design-flair to your home, it is all possible.  It’s just another way we make building your own granny flat easy. 

BROWSE THROUGH OUR DESIGNS

We have a continuously expanding design library, currently housing more than 20 standard granny flat designs with many variations including number of bedrooms, living room spaces and kitchen sizes. When meeting with our team you’ll be able to browse through all the design options and discuss with our team which one would best suit your property and needs. 

You can view our full range of granny flat designs here or click here to see our most popular granny flat designs.

So what are you waiting for? Call us on (07) 3180 2681 to discuss your granny flat project with our expert team. 

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