For many people considering downsizing to a smaller property, there can be some concerns about having a lack of space, even if there are also plenty of benefits to moving to a smaller home.
One of the top concerns is a lack of space for friends and family to stay if you move into somewhere with fewer (or even no) spare rooms. However, when you consider this a “con” of moving to a smaller property, it’s important to consider how often people visit.
Sometimes what feels like a significant disadvantage can be overcome when you realise that you only need somewhere for friends and family to stay for a couple of weeks of the year, for instance.
There can also be ways to overcome such challenges with downsizing, such as by adding a garden annexe to the outdoor space of your new, smaller property.
What is a garden annexe?
It can be easy to confuse a garden annexe with a garden room, but the two are different. The main difference being that a garden annexe is a self-contained living space. That means it has its own bathroom, kitchen and one or more bedrooms.
This is also why it can be the ideal solution if you want to downsize, but are concerned about not having space for friends and family to stay.
Meanwhile, families with adult children who are still living at home may find that downsizing and adding a self-contained garden annexe could be a good solution for everyone. It will offer parents a chance to lower their bills, while providing greater independence for their children.
And, of course, with garden annexes in Windsor or wherever you live, you can provide your loved ones with somewhere comfortable to stay that also allows them some independence when they’re visiting for shorter periods.
Can I build an annexe in my garden?
When built and installed correctly, garden annexes can be appropriate for any property provided there is adequate space for them.
Our team always carries out a site visit to your home to check the conditions and to ensure that the garden annexe of your choice will be a suitable addition to your property.
Because our garden annexes are self-contained units that can be moved if necessary, they do not require planning permission as they are covered by the Caravan Act.
Normally the process of adding a garden annexe is straightforward. Where possible, we install ground screws as the foundations, as these are the most cost-effective and quickest option available to secure an annexe safely.
Your garden annexe frame will then be assembled, followed by the walls and the rest of the structure. Our team also takes care of connecting your garden annexe to the waste system and to your electricity supply.
How much space can a garden annexe provide?
This will depend on which design of garden annexe you choose. To comply with the Caravan Act, any annexe must be less than 20m long and 6.8m wide and 3.05m high. However, within that space, there are different layout options.
You can choose an annexe with one bedroom or two. In addition, our standard one-bedroom annexes come in various sizes with different floor plans, so you can select one that best meets your needs – as well as those of your guests.
Our garden annexes have a footprint of between 40 square metres and 64 square metres. They are designed to maximise the space available to ensure that there is a comfortable living room and kitchen area, as well as a separate bathroom and bedroom (or bedrooms).
Do I have to use a garden annexe for guest rooms?
No! You can use your garden annexe how you wish once it’s built. You may decide to turn this space into a separate home office, for example, to help create that all-important separation between home and the workplace if you work remotely.
Given that over one-quarter of Brits now have hybrid roles, working from home at least some of the week, this could sound appealing to even more households.
Or you could convert it into a bar space that you can use for hosting parties throughout the year.
One of the best parts of having a garden annexe is its flexibility. You can design the space however suits you so that it meets your needs – whether you are downsizing or simply want additional room at your current home.
Whatever you want to use your garden annexe for, our team can help. We offer bespoke designs in addition to our standard garden annexes, so there really is a garden annexe for everyone.