PROJECT PLANNING
THE ULTIMATE IN MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING, AN ANNEXE ENSURES THAT EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN SPACE
£ Cost OF living
DECORATING DETAILS
Choose small-scale patterns from the same palette for the soft furnishings in a compact space
A separate living space for a senior relative, whether referred to as a granny pod, flat or annexe, is all the rage. A recent Aviva How We Live study has revealed that 10% of those surveyed are currently living with older family members, and would consider adding to their household if necessary. And, the same survey also revealed that 5% of UK households already have an annexe, such as a garage or basement conversion, or a separate outbuilding, available to provide the necessary accommodation. What’s more, a further 7% of householders say they have plans to develop this type of space for relatives, proving just how popular multi-generational living has become.
‘The pandemic changed how we live and work in our homes,’ says Sarah Cull, senior associate director at the Salisbury branch of estate agent Strutt & Parker (struttandparker.com). ‘Annexes are proving increasingly popular, as they create a home with the ultimate flexibility.’ This set up also helps combat the feeling of loneliness that many elderly people suffer from, providing assurance that they have support and care on hand if required.
WHAT IS A GRANNY FLAT?
Historically, a granny flat is an additional space built at a family home so that the householder can keep elderly relatives close by. ‘Annexes are usually self-contained and allow the occupant a level of independence, while still having relatives on hand,’ says Oliver Wright, planning manager at the National Annexe Providers Consultancy (napc.uk). ‘It’s typically a detached building in the garden, although they can be attached, too.’
However, in recent years the granny flat has evolved into a practical, financial and emotional solution, too. With working from home becoming the norm in the UK since the pandemic, more and more people are using annexes for home offices. In addition, with the cost of living continuing to creep up and with unaffordable mortgages for first-time buyers, the ‘boomerang’ generation are returning to live with their parents, too.
‘While traditionally built to accommodate an elderly relative, hence the name, we often see younger relatives or extended family living in granny flats, too,’ says Oliver Wright. An annexe provides the ideal solution for both generations so that no one is living on top of one another.
‘Flexibility is key when designing an annexe,’ says architect Zac Monro (z-m-a.co.uk). ‘Our mantra is that if you design a good volume, it can take anything you want to throw at it. As long as it has good natural light and isn’t an awkward shape, it can have flexibility.’
WHAT TYPES ARE THERE?
