When planning the layout and design of your kitchen, start by imagining how you would like to use the space. When designing kitchens with our clients, we begin by asking simple questions that help form a picture of how the people living there will use the space. Examining how the kitchen needs to function will keep you on track through the design phase.
Key considerations for granny flat kitchen designs include factors like ‘Is a breakfast bar a must-have, or is extra storage space most important? Are there extra appliances that need to be planned for? What is the overall look and feel you’d like to achieve?’
Examining these considerations in the beginning makes for a smoother design process overall.
There are challenges that occur when designing a kitchen for a compact space, but with some creative thinking and clever ideas, your dream kitchen can still become a reality. There are many modern solutions that help your granny flat kitchen to be both functional and look great.
Using cabinetry that utilises the entire wall vertically will optimise a limited space. Storing seldom-used items up top eases access and functionality. Careful consideration of drawer size, including depth and purpose, will ensure your cabinetry stores what you need and where you need it.
A ‘European laundry’ is a laundry hidden inside kitchen cabinetry or a cupboard. This is a functional way to have an accessible laundry without taking up valuable space that you don’t have. Highlight windows and skylights also give you light without taking up too much wall space.
There are many clever storage solutions that help you utilise your kitchen and dining area. Think multi-purpose appliances that optimise bench space, pull-out kitchen organisers for deep drawers and the pantry cupboard, and open shelving that makes the most of any underutilised wall space.
Space-saving alternatives to standard appliances can transform your compact kitchen. Consider a combined washer-dryer unit or a slim dishwasher or dishdrawers to minimize footprint, while a convection microwave-oven combo offers dual functionality in a single space.
When selecting appliances, carefully evaluate your actual needs to make choices that provide more bench space and less clutter.
Make the most of your granny flat kitchen with versatile furniture that serves multiple purposes. A kitchen island can function as both a dining table and workspace, while a mobile dining table offers flexibility – rolling wherever you need it for food prep or entertaining. The key to maximising your compact space lies in choosing furniture pieces that adapt to different needs throughout the day.
Wall space is valuable and largely underutilised in most homes. Consider tailored storage solutions that make good use of vertical wall space and make even the smallest kitchens more convenient. Additional open shelving and cabinetry that take advantage of the entire wall height are perfect options for increasing storage in a small kitchen.
Considerations to make when choosing which kitchen layout will work best in your small home include the amount of cupboard and storage space you require, the amount of bench space you need, and making allowances for windows or doorways. Below is a list of our most popular granny flat kitchen layouts.
Perfect for narrow spaces, a galley kitchen utilises limited floor space and maximises wall space.
One of our most popular design layouts, an L-shaped kitchen makes for plenty of storage and bench space.
With a favourable layout for those who love to cook and entertain, a U-shaped kitchen allows for plenty of storage space and counter space. Correct positioning of the sink and appliances will also make for a smooth workflow when more than one person works in the space.
Granny flats often feature combined kitchen, lounge, and dining spaces, and single-wall kitchens are an effective way to create a sense of space and openness. Versatile in design, a single-wall kitchen can be a great solution in a smaller home.
Stone benchtops (Crystalline silica-free) are durable and stylish and included as a standard finish in all Backyard Grannys kitchen designs. They come in a variety of finishes and colours and can really elevate the look of your kitchen.
Determining your budget and lifestyle needs is important before choosing your kitchen cabinetry. Consider quality and durability to ensure your cabinetry will stand the test of time. For heavily used kitchens, melamine cabinetry with a Polytec finish is a fantastic option that is affordable, durable, and stylish.
From a design standpoint, flooring really does dictate the look and feel of a room. When choosing flooring for a kitchen area, it’s important to consider the material’s durability and longevity.
Our favourite flooring choice is vinyl planks, which are both stylish and durable and suitable for use throughout the living and kitchen areas of a home. Another popular choice is tiled flooring, which is also ideal for long-term use in high-traffic areas of the home.
Multiple splashback options are available for your granny flat kitchen. You can choose from a tiled splashback, a stainless-steel alternative, or a window splashback to lighten the space and bring the outside in. Depending on your budget, running the stone benchtop up into the splashback makes for a sleek, designer look.
Energy-efficient appliances help the environment and save you money. Before you make a purchase, look into the energy or water-use rating to help you choose an energy-efficient appliance that suits your needs.
Smart lighting systems can be very useful in brightening a kitchen and making it functional. Task lighting not only looks great but is also very useful in specific areas of your kitchen where you prep meals.
Accessibility is a key factor when designing your granny flat, and the kitchen shouldn’t be forgotten. Considering how your needs may change over time should be considered during your kitchen’s design phase.
Making certain the floor is level and free from trip hazards, as well as ensuring the kitchen’s flow is wide enough to allow for a walker or wheelchair, can be considerations you will thank yourself for in years to come.
A custom kitchen really can make your granny flat feel like a home. Ensuring your kitchen works for you and your lifestyle is invaluable and will add to the enjoyment of living in your new home. Backyard Grannys can customise any design to suit the needs and tastes of our clients, and nothing is impossible with innovative design and quality workmanship.
With Backyard Grannys, you can design the kitchen and granny flat of your dreams.
Our granny flat designs come in one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans, all designed to meet the criteria for a complying development and other specified regulations. At Backyard Grannys, we have built high-quality granny flats for over ten years for over 1,000 happy customers.
If you are looking for more information on building a granny flat, contact our team today, and we’ll answer all your questions!