Small Home Solutions Archives - Granny & Co Homes

The ideal forever home for our Moreton client

Jenny — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 13:32:19 +0000

With over 20 years experience in the building industry, Granny & Co. Homes has established a reputation for being the leading home extension and small home specialist in Brisbane and South East Queensland. Our brand is synonymous with high-quality service, attention to detail, and professionalism.

Michelle, a Moreton Shire homeowner, wanted a unique granny flat solution that met all her individual needs. She had several options in terms of contractors/developers but made the smart choice to go with Granny & Co. Homes.

Her decision was swayed by Nathan, one of the top granny flat experts on our team. From the onset, Nathan made it clear to Michelle that she was in charge of the development and the end result would be a home with modern features that met her vision.

Here is the story:

The building process

As the premier design and build company in the Moreton, Brisbane, and the greater Queensland area, Granny & Co offers a comprehensive building process that considers the client at every step. Throughout this process, our specialists are attentive to every demand and request, as Michelle was able to experience firsthand.

Here is a breakdown of how Michelle’s ideal ‘forever home’ grew from a vision to brick and mortar.

Client brief

Michelle was not new to the construction process. Many years back, she contracted a local construction crew to build her family home. The experience and quality of service she received, however, were lacking. Understandably, she didn’t want to put herself in such a situation again, and was relieved when our servicemen quickly assured her that she would be part of the process, from start to finish.

Over a cup of coffee, we were able to discuss the basic design and layout she had in mind. The structure was similar to our popular and highly-rated Hampton granny flat design. Michelle wanted a more traditional look for her design, to complement the character and aesthetics of the existing development.

The result of these discussions was an extensive “brief” which touched on every element of the dwelling, from the solid timber flooring and full-size kitchen to the brick veneer and Colorbond roofing.

Only with Michelle’s stamp of approval did we move to the next stage of the building process— planning and design.

Planning and design

All dwellings within the area must meet Moreton Council’s building code provisions and by-laws. Our team’s expertise and industry knowledge were crucial in designing the new development in compliance with these regulations.

In our design, we ensured that the granny flat met the following provisions set by the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Self-accessible
Maximum size depending on the size of the lot
Compliance with zoning requirements
Parking space(s)
Distance of the granny flat from the primary dwelling
Boundary setbacks
Infrastructure contributions & levies

Due to the property’s location, a bushfire report was also required for construction to be carried out. Designated bushfire areas are predetermined as high-risk according to weather conditions, vegetation or location–for example, an area that has had bushfires in the past.

As an additional measure, our team requested that Michelle peruse the rules and regulations set in the MBRC Planning Scheme. While she didn’t have the technical knowledge to interpret the jargon, it gave her a basis to understand some of the decisions made in regards to her granny flat design. For more information on the Council’s building provisions, click here.

Contract and building approval

With Michelle’s approval of the design, the next step was the approval of the contract.

Granny & Co. Homes offered a fixed-price contract. We assured Michelle that the price was locked in and would not change throughout the construction, and that she should not expect any hidden fees or additional payments after the final nail was drilled in.

Let’s get to work

Granny & Co. Homes uses tried-and-tested systems to guarantee that each project runs smoothly. We used trusted specialist suppliers and trades (plumbers, electricians, painters, etc who we have worked with previously) for Michelle’s project.

Michelle was kept informed as we progressed through each stage of construction. Our team sought regular feedback to ensure that the building was satisfactory and in line with her standards. Any issues that arose were dealt with openly, and without question.

Our team has met challenges during previous contracts when the price of building material has increased during construction. To adhere to the terms of the agreement, Granny & Co uses QBCC and QMBA recommendations to manage such situations. We offer our clients the option to pre-order materials. It ensures that we stick to the budget and adhere to the timeline.

Move-in

After weeks of work, Granny & Co. Homes presented a granny flat with a wraparound patio that opened from the living area. Our designers installed glazed windows and insulated walls and roof to offer thermal comfort.

As for the kitchen, it absolutely matched the client’s expectations, from the oversized gas cooktop to the setting of the sink. The kitchen finishes were color-matched to the floor, giving the space a truly unique feel.

The client had emphasized that the new development was to be ‘a home’; a place for her to enjoy her retirement and the rest of her days. Taking that into consideration, oversized doors were installed to allow for easy access, even with the use of a wheelchair or walking frame. Furthermore, our professional crew minimized the step up from outside to inside, making it almost unnoticeable.

Michelle has now joined the thousands of clients in the Queensland area whose needs have been comprehensively met by Granny & Co. Homes. She benefited from the professional services of our crew at an affordable price.

You too can get a granny flat solution that is future-proofed and gives you peace of mind. Contact Granny & Co. Homes today and receive a quote for our services.

What separates Granny & Co. Homes from the competition?

A one-stop solution for all your granny build needs. We have in-house designers, architects, and a capable construction crew.
Professional and experienced servicemen. All our architects, builders, and Master Trades are the best in the industry.
Range of Designs. We have a wide range of granny flat designs for you to choose from. Our architects are willing to customize any design to your needs.
Quality customer service. Just like Michelle, our experts take the time to understand what our clients need.
100% Customer satisfaction. Granny & Co. Homes will provide you with a tailor-made solution that meets your exact needs, specifications, and budget.

The bottom line

With Brisbane’s leading small home design-and-build service provider, Michelle was able to get a customized granny flat that met her traditional specifications. The customization process considered the environmental conditions as well as lighting and air circulation. In addition, the new development was constructed in compliance with all Moreton Shire building codes and by-laws.

Granny & Co. Homes has been servicing South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales for decades. Our extensive experience, coupled with a stellar reputation, makes us the premier service provider in the design and construction of new developments and major house extensions.

Get a bespoke service. Get in touch with Granny & Co. Homes.

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GRANNY FLATS RULES AND REGULATIONS IN IPSWICH

Granny and Co Homes — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 21:50:49 +0000

This article continues our discussion on the rules and regulations for granny flats and dual occupancy developments in each Council throughout southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. Our team at Granny and Co have been working closely with Marc Joyce Town Planning to provide this information and will update this section again in the near future but in the meantime call us if you need clarification.

(Last updated: October 14, 2021)

Ipswich City Council’s requirements for granny flats are set out in the Ipswich Planning Scheme (they also reference to the Queensland Development Code).

If you’re in the Ipswich catchment then there are 2 options for developing your backyard: a secondary dwelling or dual occupancy. The good news is that granny flats can be rented-out! Many other Councils in Queensland charge landowners a levy for the privilege, Ipswich however, has been quite progressive in this regard, they’ve permitted granny flat rentals for many years.

The flipside is that granny flats (secondary dwellings) must have a GFA of 50m2 or less, excluding decks, patios, etc… This leaves you with options such as a large studio, a comfortable 1-bedroom solution or a creative and efficient2-bedroom solution. We recommend oversizing the deck or patio for granny flats in Ipswich, they make a small home more liveable.

If you need something bigger than 50m2 or if you want to position the granny flat more than 20m away from your house then dual occupancy approval is required… and this will trigger a levy that must be paid to Council.

Here’s a link to a checklist on Council’s website that helps to clarify the rules and regulations for building on properties within Ipswich’s catchment… but to make things easier we’ve summarised the main points below.

GRANNY FLAT CHECKLIST (ICC)

Granny flat definition: “auxiliary dwelling”
Permitted land zone: All residential zones
Self-assessable? Yes, provided there aren’t any significant development constraints, such as flooding
Maximum size: 50m2 GFA with a maximum of 1 bedroom. There is no minimum lot size. GFA is measured around the outside of the granny flat walls… excludes Patios, Decks, Carports, etc.
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: typically 20m
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? Yes
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? No
What are the required boundary setbacks? As per the Queensland Development Code
What are the total number of car spaces required (house + granny flat)? 2+1
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Not for auxiliary dwellings (yes for dual occupancy)

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST: (ICC)

Granny flat / house definition: “dual occupancy”
Permitted land zones: All residential zones
Self-assessable? No, it’s code assessable which means you’ll need development approval (DA)
Maximum size of granny flat: N/A
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: N/A
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? N/A
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? 800m2
What are the required boundary setbacks? As per the Queensland Development Code
What are the total number of car spaces required (house + dual occ)? 2+2
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Yes

Source: Ipswich Planning Scheme

Keep in mind that these are only applicable to properties within the Ipswich City Council’s catchment, so make sure to double-check your Council’s rules and regulations if your property falls outside of this catchment.

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GRANNY FLATS RULES AND REGULATIONS IN LOGAN

Granny and Co Homes — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 08:06:58 +0000

This article continues our discussion on the rules and regulations for granny flats and dual occupancy developments in each Council throughout southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. Our team at Granny and Co have been working closely with Marc Joyce Town Planning to provide this information and will update this section again in the near future but in the meantime call us if you need clarification.

Logan City Council’s requirements for granny flats are set out in the Logan Planning Scheme.

Logan actually has 3 distinct development options: secondary dwellings plus two different type of dual occupancy. To keep it simple, a secondary dwelling is meant for family use. If you want to rent out your granny flat then it becomes a dual occupancy… and you will have to pay a levy to Council.

The typical size limit for granny flats (secondary dwellings and dual occupancy: auxiliary) in Logan is 70m2 which this is enough for a very comfortable 2 bedroom solution… you may be permitted to build up to 100m2 if the size of your lot is more than 1000m2, which is basically a small home.

Here’s a link to a great checklist on Council’s website that helps to clarify the rules and regulations for building granny flats and dual occupancy developments in Logan Council’s catchment… but to make things easier we’ve summarised the main points below.

Logan City Council have 3 definitions

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST

Granny flat definition: “secondary dwelling”
Permitted land zone: All residential zones
Self-assessable? Yes, provided there aren’t any significant development constraints
Maximum size: 70m2 GFA on lots less than 1000m2, on larger lots you can build up to 100m2 (GFA is measured around the outside of the granny flat walls… excludes Patios, Decks, Carports, etc)
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: typically 20m
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? Yes, Logan are quite particular about the granny flat being subordinate to the main house
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? 450m2 with 15m wide frontage
What are the required boundary setbacks? As per the Queensland Development Code
What are the total number of car spaces required? This varies, normally 2+0
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes and No. At the moment the State Govt has allowed rental of a secondary dwelling, but it is a “temporary measure” to alleviate the SE Qld affordable housing crisis. However in the long term, you’ll need dual occupancy approval for this.
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Not for secondary dwellings (yes for dual occupancy)

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST: “AUXILIARY UNITS” (LCC)

- Granny flat / house definition: “dual occupancy (auxiliary)”
- Permitted land zone: All residential zones
- Self-assessable? Yes
- Maximum size: N/A
- Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
- Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: 20m
- Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? Yes
- Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? 450m2 with 15m wide frontage
- What are the required boundary setbacks? As per the Queensland Development Code
- What are the total number of car spaces required? 2+3 (yes, that’s 5 spaces!)
- Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
- Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Yes

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST: (LCC)

Granny flat / house definition: “dual occupancy”
Permitted land zone: All residential zones
Self-assessable? No, it’s code assessable which means you’ll need development approval
Maximum size: N/A
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: N/A
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? N/A
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? As per the “dwelling density” for your particular land zone
What are the required boundary setbacks? As per the Queensland Development Code
What are the total number of car spaces required? This varies, 2+2
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Yes

Source: Logan Council’s website

Keep in mind that these are only applicable to properties within the Logan City Council’s catchment, so make sure to double-check your Council’s rules and regulations if your property falls outside of this catchment.

A LOGAN GRANNY FLAT!

This 2 bedroom granny flat was built for an investor in Daisy Hill who wanted maximum rental return and an improved property value.

A very liveable 70m2 design was created by our Architects who also specified economical and low-maintenance durable finishes throughout. The main challenges were providing privacy and ensuring good natural light and cross-ventilation, this was achieved via careful sizing and placement of doors and windows and will be further improved via landscaping (construction images shown).

The interior features an open plan living area with low-voc vinyl flooring, a custom designed kitchen with a laundry facility and tons of extra storage, a simple but beautiful bathroom and two bedrooms that are big enough for queens size beds plus bedside tables, both also have built-in wardrobes.

At 70m2 GFA plus 20m2 of Patio space this is a very comfortable small home solution. At Granny and Co Homes all of our designs are customised to take advantage of the size restrictions and with the aim of creating efficient plans that minimise wasted space.

Alternative design: check out the Premier.

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GRANNY FLAT RULES AND REGULATIONS IN MORETON

Granny and Co Homes — Thu, 27 May 2021 08:07:47 +0000

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s requirements are set out in the MBRC Planning Scheme. There have been several rule changes for granny flats in this region ever since our team was involved in our first build back in 2008, thankfully Council has recently clarified its position on secondary dwellings (granny flats) as well as dual occupancy or duplex developments. It’s important to understand the difference between the two because, to put it simply, Moreton Council’s 45m2 and 55m2 size restriction for secondary dwellings makes it difficult (but not impossible) to build a small but comfortable 2-bedroom solution. If you need something bigger – like the 80m2 granny flats permitted within the neighbouring Brisbane Council catchment – then you’re basically applying for a dual occupancy solution and development approval (DA) will be required.

We’ve added some links to Council’s website in the above paragraphs that clarify the rules and regulations for building granny flats and dual occupancy developments in Moreton Council’s catchment but to make things easier we’ve summarised the main points below.

GRANNY FLAT CHECKLIST (MBRC)

- Granny flat definition: “secondary dwelling”
- Self-assessable? Yes, provided there aren’t any significant development constraints
- Maximum size: 55m2 GFA if your frontage is more than 15m wide, 45m2 if it’s less than 15m (GFA is measured around the outside of the granny flat walls… excludes Patios, Decks, Carports, etc)
- Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
- Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: typically 10m
- Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? No
- Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? No
- What are the required boundary setbacks? Setbacks vary depending on the zoning of your land
- What are the total number of car spaces required? This varies, 3+1 or 1+1
- Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Not permitted for secondary dwellings but its ok if you have dual occupancy approval
- Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Not for secondary dwellings (yes for dual occupancy)

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST (MBRC)

Granny flat / house definition: “dual occupancy”
Self-assessable? No, it’s code assessable which means you’ll need development approval.
Maximum size: N/A
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: N/A
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? No
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? Typically no, but this depends on the zoning or your property
What are the required boundary setbacks? Setbacks vary depending on the zoning of your land
What are the total number of car spaces required? This varies, 3+1 or 1+1
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Yes

Source:

Keep in mind that these are only applicable to properties within the Moreton Bay Regional Council’s catchment, so make sure to double-check your Council’s rules and regulations if your property falls outside of this catchment

A MORETON GRANNY FLAT!

This tidy Hampton style granny flat was built on acreage in north Brisbane. At 78m2 GFA plus 23m2 of Patio space this cottage is more than the 55m2 GFA that’s typically permitted in Moreton, however being on acreage a larger size is permitted.

You can check out another Hampton style granny flat here.

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IMPROVING THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY WITH A HOME EXTENSION OR GRANNY FLAT

Granny and Co Homes — Wed, 26 May 2021 03:40:24 +0000

In this short video we talk about improving the property’s value with home extension or granny flat.

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GRANNY FLAT GOLD COAST RULES AND REGULATIONS

Granny and Co Homes — Wed, 05 May 2021 06:04:11 +0000

Important information from the granny flat builders gold coast Locals Trust.

Gold Coast City Council’s requirements are set out in their City Plan which outlines in detail the rules and regulations for building granny flats and dual occupancy developments. We’ve summarised the main points below. Another good point of reference is this handy fact sheet provided by Council which explains the difference between a house, granny flat and dual occupancy.

GRANNY FLAT GOLD COAST CHECKLIST (GCCC)

Granny flat definition: “secondary dwelling”
Self-assessable? Yes, provided there aren’t any significant development constraints
Maximum size: 80m2 GFA (measured around the outside of the granny flat walls… excludes Patios, Decks, Carports, etc)
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: typically 10m (only 3m for properties with medium-density zoning & up to 20m for properties with a rural residential zoning)
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? No
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? No
What are the required boundary setbacks? Refer to the Queensland Development Code
What are the total number of car spaces required? This varies, but up to 2+2
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes and No. At the moment the State Govt has allowed rental of a secondary dwelling, but it is a “temporary measure” to alleviate the SE Qld affordable housing crisis. However in the long term, you’ll need dual occupancy approval for this.
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Not for secondary dwellings (yes for dual occupancy)

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST (GCCC)

Granny flat / house definition: “dual occupancy”
Self-assessable? In some situations, yes (eg. if you have a site with dual frontages or if the “residential density overlay map” is RD1 or greater, which means 1 dwelling per 400 metres). Otherwise, getting your dual occupancy approved will require development approval.
Maximum size: N/A
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: N/A
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? No
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? Yes this varies depending on the zoning or your property and the “residential density overlay”.
What are the required boundary setbacks? Refer to the Dual Occupancy Code
What are the total number of car spaces required? 2 + 2
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Yes

Source: Gold Coast Council City Plan

Keep in mind that these are only applicable to properties within the Gold Coast Council’s catchment, so make sure to double-check your Council’s rules and regulations if your property falls outside of this catchment.

Information for Granny Flats Gold Coast Residents Must Know.

This grand little granny flat that was built beside a golf course on the Gold Coast. At exactly 80m2 GFA – the maximum permitted size excluding Decks and Patios, etc – this home features 2 large bedrooms (both with Ensuites) positioned on either side of a very large open plan living area.

A large deck at the back of the house sits high-up in the surrounding tree canopy overlooking an adjoining golf course, this provides the owners with great views and a tranquil, lush setting. The north aspect ensures great natural light and the careful sizing and positioning of windows helps to provide privacy while ensuring great cross-ventilation throughout the home.

The interior features high ceilings throughout, bedrooms that are big enough for king or queen beds and bedside tables, a full-size custom designed kitchen, 2 bathrooms with full-height tiling and a bath tub (a rarity with granny flats) plus plenty of undercover storage.

This idyllic retreat that was truly appreciated by the client.

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GRANNY FLAT RULES AND REGULATIONS: AN INTRODUCTION

Granny and Co Homes — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 06:56:05 +0000

Granny Flat Rules and Regulations Introduction

This is the first of a series of articles from Granny and Co Homes about the rules for granny flats throughout greater Brisbane, southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Each Council effectively has its own rules and regulations for granny flats, and within those rules there’s often a different set of requirements for homeowners living in the suburbs and those on acreage in the countryside, so it’s no wonder there’s often confusion about which rules apply to your home. To make things more complicated the definition of a granny flat also varies between Councils, some call it a secondary dwelling, others a family accommodation unit or auxiliary unit, and each of these can come with restrictions on how your granny flat can be designed, built and used. For these reasons, when considering building a granny flat its important to deal with a company that understands the regulations and knows how to get the best result for you.

Thankfully, the team at Granny and Co Homes has extensive industry experience in Queensland and northern New South Wales, having built many granny flats, new homes and house extensions throughout these regions. We’ve put our heads together with Marc Joyce Town Planning and will soon be releasing a series of posts with the intention of clarifying the granny flat regulations for each region, Council by Council.

While the average person might view a granny flat as simply being a small cottage in the back yard, the truth is that an intelligently designed and well built small home solution will dramatically improve the value of a property and, where rentals are permitted will provide the owner with solid rental return, as well as address the more subjective issues of responding to and improving the surrounding environment and improving and enriching the lives of its users. Granny and Co Homes are experts in small home solutions and will help tailor a package that suits your needs, site and budget. We will check the restrictions that apply to building on your property and provide advice on how to optimise or get the most out of your development.

A good example of this is a granny flat vs dual occupancy development, or a house extension (with a self-contained studio) when a granny flat is not permitted. Homeowners can benefit by taking advantage of the rules that are available to them. In some situations a granny flat might not be the best alternative for you… a dual occupancy development, house extension or even a series of small studios could give you a better result, meeting your needs, optimising your property and improving its value. Talk to us about the development potential or your property.

Granny and Co Homes are experts in small home solutions and will help tailor a package that suits your needs, site and budget.

For more information on utilising your Granny Flat as a rental investment visit the Redfin website.

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HOME STORAGE HACKS TO REDUCE HOME CLUTTER

Granny and Co Homes — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:33:07 +0000

Do you like your home to be neat and natty, with everything in its spot and easy to find? Have you just downsized and are struggling to find storage for all your belongings in your smaller home? We know that keeping your home neat, tidy, and organised can be a little tricky if you live a busy life or are short on storage. To help you get on top of your household clutter we’ve put together 11 of our favourite home storage and organisation hacks for the laundry, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.

1. Store your bedsheets in a pillowcase

Keep your linen closet organised and make it easy to find your favourite bed linen set by storing your folded sheets in a pillowcase. It’s a great way to keep your linen sets together and make it easier to pull out a whole set when it’s time to make your bed.

2. Store your bedsheets (or other items) under the mattress

If you don’t have much storage space for a linen closet then you can also simply fold your bed sheet as flat as you can and slip it under your mattress. Your bed linen won’t gather dust and you won’t be able to feel it under your mattress.

3. Use slim rolling shelves to fill the gaps

A slim rolling shelf is a great way to instantly add more storage to your home. Use them for the gap between your laundry cupboard and washing machine to store laundry liquid, fabric softener, and your laundry bags. They also work great in the kitchen between your pantry and the fridge to store herbs and sauce bottles.

4. Freeze your fresh herbs

Fresh herbs are a great addition to so many recipes, but can be hard to store in smaller fridges and can go off before you have time to use them all up. A great way to make them last longer and make them easier to store is by freezing them in ice cube trays with olive oil. When you’re ready to use, simply grab one out of the freezer and throw it straight in to your pan, or let it sit out to melt.

5. Utilise the back of a door for storage

This great storage hack turns the back of a cupboard door into a versatile storage rack. With a few simply hooks you can hang almost anything from cleaning supplies right through to handbags.

Granny’s tip: Don’t overload the door so much that it gets damaged. Allow for the depth of whatever items you are hanging from the door and keep them clear from conflicting items on the shelves inside your cupboard.

6. Utilise the space in your bathroom with over-toilet storage

If you have a small bathroom then you know how hard it is to keep spare toilet rolls and towels close by. A great way to instantly add more storage to your small bathroom is by utilising the head space above your toilet. Chic ladders, floating shelves, and built in cabinets are all great ways to use this often forgotten and dead space.

Granny’s tip: Our preferred go-to is a recessed cabinet (refer point 10) since it hides everything from view however this might not be possible in smaller bathrooms or powder rooms so floating shelves or a ladder can be a great feature that provides valuable additional storage space.

7. Use shelf inserts to stack your plates and glasses

Shelf inserts are an inexpensive way to re-organise your kitchen drawers and to help utilise as much space as possible. They can be used to help stack different shaped and sized plates, bowls, or glassware.

Granny’s tip: Our granny flats feature custom designed kitchens (made just for you) so our clients are free to discuss shelf inserts and other storage options with our Cabinetmaker.

8. Make the most of the space above your doors

Installing floating shelves above your doorways is another great hack to instantly add more storage to your home. We love the idea of storing books and photographs in the living room, and spare towels or bed linen in the laundry.

Granny’s tip: Things that hang may also fall. We recommend that shelves be professionally fitted and never overloaded.

9. Change the way you fold your clothing

Did you know by simply changing the way you fold your clothes can drastically change the organisation of your wardrobe. Just a Girl and Her Blog shows us how by folding and storing your clothing horizontally instead of vertically, you’ll be able to see your clothing more effectively and keep your drawers organised.

Granny’s tip: Our granny flats come with customised wardrobe fitouts to ensure you’re getting the most use out of your cupboards. We recommend oversized shelves (600mm wide instead of the standard 450mm) as this will enable you to stack 2 rows of clothes (t-shirts, shorts, etc) on the one shelf thereby doubling-up on your storage. You can take things to the next level with the Konmari Method of drawer storage.

10. Recessed storage compartment

This hack undoubtedly requires more effort and skill to make than the rest. But it looks so good and you can have so much fun with it it’s definitely worth considering if you have free wall space. We love the idea of hiding a recessed storage compartment with a piece of art or framed photograph.

Granny’s tip: recessed storage compartments are a great way to gain space. We like them so much we’ve made them a standard feature of all our granny flats and house extension projects. Adding a power point to the cabinet will allow you to recharge toothbrushes and keep the clutter away from your vanity unit.

11.Use vacuum bags for out-of-season clothing

Vacuum bags are the one of the best and easiest ways to pack away unused clothing and instantly add more storage space to your wardrobe. Vacuum sealed bags condense your clothing by removing all of the air trapped inside the bag, meaning that storing them will also save you space and make them easy to find under beds or on the top shelf of your wardrobe. You can also use vacuum bags to store beach towels in winter, or spare bed linen.

Granny’s tip: medium and large sized bags tend to work better than extra-large. You might be surprised by how much clothing you can store in just one bag, so start small. It’s ok to stack bags on top of each other but you don’t want to bump them too heavily or the vacuum seal might open.

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TOP 6 STORAGE TIPS FOR SMALL WARDROBES

Granny and Co Homes — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:44:58 +0000

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.

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!

The post TOP 6 STORAGE TIPS FOR SMALL WARDROBES appeared first on Granny & Co Homes.

GRANNY FLAT RULES AND REGULATIONS IN BRISBANE

Granny and Co Homes — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:38:00 +0000

This article forms part of our discussion on the rules and regulations for granny flats and dual occupancy developments in each Council throughout southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. It’s an update to an earlier post about granny flats in Brisbane that also includes some FAQ’s. We’ve updated the rules and have added information about dual occupancy developments since many of our “dual occ’s” are actually larger granny flat designs that have been approved on our clients’ properties via development approval (DA) instead of a traditional “secondary dwelling” (granny flat). Our team at Granny and Co have been working closely with Marc Joyce Town Planning to provide this information and will update this section again in the near future but in the meantime call us if you need clarification.

Building your perfect granny flat can be an exciting project that can much needed space to your home and added value to your property. But before you get started with the planning of your small home and the fun of picking out design styles and furnishings it’s important to understand which Council rules and regulations your new granny flat will need to meet. Unfortunately, each Council has its own set of rules and regulations for granny flats, but lucky for you, Granny and Co will endeavour to summarise each Council’s rules through a series of informative articles which will be updated from time-to-time by our Town Planner.

It’s worth noting that homeowners in New South Wales have an alternative pathway for approval, which is the State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP); this was provided by the state government to help simplify and streamline the approval process, so for those lucky people there are 2 ways to get a granny flat approved, ie. Council’s rules or the State Government’s (the SEPP will be covered in a future post but for now let’s talk about Brisbane).

Brisbane City Council’s requirements are set out in the Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan) which spells out the definition of a granny flat and the permits and/or approvals that are required. We’ve outlined the main rules and regulations below but keep in mind that these are only applicable to properties within the Brisbane City Council catchment, so make sure to double-check your Council’s rules and regulations if your property falls outside of this catchment.

GRANNY FLAT CHECKLIST (BCC)

Granny flat definition: “secondary dwelling”
Self-assessable? Yes, provided there aren’t any development constraints such as flood prone land
Maximum size: 80m2 GFA (measured around the outside of the granny flat walls… excludes Patios, Decks, Carports, etc)
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: 20m
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? No
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? No
What are the required boundary setbacks? Refer to the Queensland Development Code or the Dwelling House (Small Lot) Code
What are the total number of car spaces required? 1 + 1
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes and No. At the moment the State Govt has allowed rental of a secondary dwelling, but it is a “temporary measure” to alleviate the SE Qld affordable housing crisis. However, in the long term, you’ll need dual occupancy approval for this.
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? No

DUAL OCCUPANCY CHECKLIST (BCC)

Granny flat / house definition: “dual occupancy”
Self-assessible? No, it’s Code assessible which means you’ll need development approval
Maximum size: N/A
Maximum overall site coverage / footprint on your site? 50%
Maximum distance from the primary dwelling: N/A
Does it need to be located behind the primary dwelling? No
Is there a minimum lot size (frontage)? 600m2, or 3000m2 if your property has low density residential zoning
What are the required boundary setbacks? Refer to the Dual Occupancy Code
What are the total number of car spaces required? 2 + 2
Can I rent out my granny flat to someone outside of my household group? Yes
Do infrastructure contributions / levies apply? Yes

Do I need Council approval to build a granny flat in Brisbane?

The City Plan defines a granny flat as “secondary dwelling” which doesn’t exceed 80m2 in size. If your granny flat meets this size requirement and is intended to be used by a member of the household you will not need special Council approval – BUT you will still need to meet the accepted development, subject to requirements criteria or Dwelling House Code.

If you plan to build your granny flat more than 20 metres away from the main house, or if it’s size will exceed 80 square metres then you will need to lodge a development application (DA). You will also need to lodge a dual occupancy DA if you plan on renting your granny flat out to tenants. Hopefully this requirement will be relaxed in the near future to encourage greater urban density and affordable housing opportunities for tenants plus investment opportunities for home owners.

Will the zoning of my property affect my ability to build a granny flat?

Yes. If any overlays or current neighbourhood plans apply to your property, they will also need to be taken into consideration. The best way to find out if overlays or neighbourhood plans apply to your property is by using the Brisbane City Council’s City Plan online mapping tool. This will reveal most of the development constraints that affect your property. As an example, if your site is affected by biodiversity, flooding or bushfire overlays you will probably be required to address these issues in your application for building approval or in some cases a DA.

What other rules and regulations do I need to consider?

It is mandatory to provide one dedicated car parking space for the granny flat.
A qualified Building Certifier must approve any building work before construction begins and ensure that your building work complies with the Building Act 1975.
Depending on the size of your lot you will also need to accommodate boundary setbacks and maximum site coverage / footprint requirements.

As we mentioned before, the local Councils for the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Somerset, Scenic Rim, and Sunshine Coast have different rules and regulations so make sure to double-check your catchment area.

Stay tuned, we will be releasing a series of articles that cover the rules and regulations for granny flats for all Councils throughout southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

A Brisbane Granny Flat!

Here’s a Brisbane granny flat that was built for an elderly couple as an alternative to an aged care facility. This one dates back to 2008 but has held-up nicely thanks to a simple, efficient design plus high-quality build that provided the client with a durable low-maintenance solution. It’s an excellent example for extended family living and an aged care alternative.

It features 2 large bedrooms, a very large open plan living area with full-size kitchen, a Patio adjoining the living area and a covered walkway that connects both dwellings.

The design accommodated future accessibility issues by including oversized doors, wheelchair-friendly door sills, gentle ramps instead of steps and a large bathroom with easy-to-access shower, toilet and vanity. An intercom system was fitted, connecting the 2 dwellings.

The overall look is completely in keeping with the existing house, as per the client’s preferences. This granny flat provided them with a great alternative to an aged care facility and significantly improved the value of their property.

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