Building a granny flat is a practical decision. You can create some space for a relative, a home office, or even rent it out for some income. However, it is also a design decision. The style of the new house should be in harmony with your current house. 

The most important question is whether to go modern or traditional. Either of them can be effective, provided the design does not replace what is already there. 

This guide will help you make the right choice.

Assess the personality of your main home first

Before you get hooked on inspirational photos, take a look at your primary residence. 

• Is it a modern construction? This is symbolized by flat roofs and huge windows.
• Is it traditional? This means it is pitched with ornamented trims and a more classical sensation.

A skilled granny flats builder uses these cues to shape a design that feels connected. Your granny flat does not have to be an exact copy. But it must seem to be part of the same home.

The language of architecture should be one or at least harmonious. That way, the overall property will appear deliberate. This cohesion is particularly critical if you consider the long-term value or resale.

The attractiveness of a modern granny flat design

Contemporary granny flats are designed to be open, well-lit, and practical. Popular features include:

• Simple forms 
• Clean lines
• Few details
• Neutral colors.

This look is usually easy to obtain using materials such as:

• Rendered finishes
• Concrete
• Steel
• Huge glass panels.

A contemporary granny flat is a very smooth option when your primary house is contemporary. However, it can also be effective with a more traditional architecture when carefully designed. Modern designs also suit smaller footprints.

The coziness of traditional and cottage designs

Granny flats that are traditional or cottage-like are very familiar and welcoming. They are characterized by:

• Pitched roofs
• Verandas
• Timber detail
• Detailed lines. 

These designs can be made to be more home-like. This can be attractive if the flat will accommodate an older relative.

A traditional granny flat can contribute to the beauty of the whole property. It is suitable when your main home is:

• A classic weatherboard
• Brick design
• Heritage-style house. 

You can achieve visual continuity by matching roof pitches and exterior materials. On the inside, you can mix the traditional with contemporary comforts to have the best of both worlds.

Making the decision

Such a choice could be classified into three approaches: 

Matching style

This is where the architecture, materials, roof, and finishes of the granny flat resemble the main home. This style produces a smooth, cohesive appearance. It suits heritage or character properties where aesthetics can maintain the beauty of the property. It’s risk-free, and a classic that is likely to sell well on the resale market.

A contrasting accent

Here, the granny flat is deliberately styled in a different manner, serving as a contrast to the primary home. This may be impressive when carefully executed with proper attention to:

• Scale
• Materials 
• Location.

The goal is to ensure that it does not overshadow the primary home. 

Complementary design

This one is more flexible. In this case, the granny flat steals the most important features of the main house, including:

• Color palettes
• Roof pitch
• Proportions of the windows.

However, you can add minor contemporary elements or simplify the details. This balance is frequently carried into the interior, whereby elements such as custom built-in wardrobes may use the same materials and finishes as in the primary dwelling. This way, the interior appears to be the same, but without restricting design ability.

The takeaway

The best granny flats are in harmony with the already existing home. To make things easier, use a professional granny flats builder. They will ensure that your design choices are aesthetic, practical, compliant, and futureproof.