When many people hear the term “garden annexe” they automatically think “granny annexe”. 

While it’s certainly true that garden annexes can be the ideal home for an older relative who needs a bit more support but wants their independence, this is far from the only use for this kind of space. 

So, we thought we’d share three ways in which you can use a self-contained garden annexe, to give you some idea of how it might fit into your life. 

1. As a home for an elderly relative

Many people are exploring how they can support their older relatives without the need for a costly care home. The census data for England and Wales highlights that rise in multigenerational households over the ten years from 2011 to 2021.

In 2021, 2.1 per cent of households were considered multigenerational, compared to 1.8 per cent a decade earlier. 

A garden annexe is a good choice because it gives your loved one somewhere completely self-contained to live, but with the security of knowing that you are within easy reach should they need anything. 

This peace of mind works both ways. You won’t need to worry about your loved one if you know they are just at the end of your garden. 

For a growing number of families, this is the ideal middle ground. Your loved one has the ability to lead their own life, cook for themselves and have guests around, while also being close enough that they can be involved in daily family life.

If there are any tasks they need assistance with, you’ll be close by to provide that support, making it much easier for everyone. 

2. As a guest suite

Even if you have a spare bedroom in your home, that doesn’t always mean it’s appropriate for guests to stay with you. If you have friends or family with children, for instance, one spare bedroom isn’t likely to be enough space. 

A garden annexe is an ideal solution, giving everyone their own space to relax, while ensuring you’re able to spend plenty of time with your guests during their visit. 

When you’ve got a garden annexe, it also means that there’s a quiet space for anyone who might need a bit of time away from a larger group to recharge their batteries or simply to have a nap. 

As each annexe has its own bathroom and kitchen, you won’t have to coordinate shower times in the mornings, or worry that you haven’t got enough water in the kettle for everyone’s morning coffee. It’s a stress-free and simple way of hosting.

3. As your own relaxing bolthole

Sometimes we all need a bit of space and a garden annexe can be the perfect solution. You can decorate your annexe however you’d like and kit it out to be your own personal retreat from the stresses of the world.

You might use it as a gym space, a yoga studio, or even a snug with its own bar to give you somewhere to retreat to when you need a break. 

Perhaps you need a craft room, in which case an annexe with its own bathroom and water supply will be ideal, allowing you to spend hours on your favourite hobbies without interruptions or worries about needing to tidy up the kitchen table at dinner time. 

4. As a home office or workspace

There are over four million self-employed people or sole traders in the UK, while 28 per cent of working adults in Great Britain work from home at least some of the week.

Whether you are full-time self-employed or work from home just two days a week, chances are that you’ll need a dedicated workspace to remain productive. You may need privacy for conference or client calls. 

Of course, you may also simply value the feeling of separation between your work and home life – even if all you’re doing is walking to the end of your garden. 

For anyone who runs a business where they see clients – such as counsellors or massage therapists – a garden annexe can be ideal, giving you an area you can use as a waiting room as well as a private room for consultations or treatments. 

5. As a space for teenagers to call their own

It’s not only adults who need their own space sometimes. Teenagers can often seek out their own space, which in many cases means retreating to their bedrooms. 

There are various reasons for this, from exploring their own independence and developing their own identities to regulating their moods. 

However, a garden annexe could give them a bit more room, while ensuring that as a parent you can still supervise them and their friends.