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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ideas needed for use of a granny flat?!

32 replies

Fizzielove · 15/04/2016 10:18

I need idea on what to do with the granny flat when we move into my late parents and grandparents house!

It's separated only by a normal internal house door via a corridor.

We are currently using it as storage but that's a complete waste!

I know you guys are full of wisdom and great ideas! Inspire me please?

OP posts:
gleam · 15/04/2016 10:23

Guest space?
Teenage den?

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 15/04/2016 10:24

Well, my 'annexe' is directly off the back of my living room. We've turned the WC into a cupboard, the bedroom into a utility room, and biggest room into a second reception room/ games room/den

monkeysox · 15/04/2016 10:26

Make it into usable rooms or you'll have to pay another lot of council tax on it Confused

canyou · 15/04/2016 10:27

Laundry room and pantry. Play room, use a baby monitor to hear dc.
Guest space

HeyMacWey · 15/04/2016 10:28

Airbnb
Teen den
Short term let to international students

I'd make it into my sewing/hobby area.

PandasRock · 15/04/2016 10:28

Games room/den/play area depending on age of children. Or a homework/study area.

We have a one bedroom annexe - not large, just a self contained studio. We will be turning it into an indoor ply area - think mini softplay - because that is what suits our family needs for the next 10 years or so.

The next most needed thing is a study area - full desk/computer/printer set up for homework, along with all the reference books etc.

Next on my list would be a sewing/crafting room

Original poster
Fizzielove · 15/04/2016 10:29

So to help with ideas. The house is a converted bungalow with bedrooms upstairs. The granny flat is attached to the end of the bungalow so as far away from the living as you can get. It contains an ensuite bedroom, kitchen and living room. Other than for guests ( we never really have any ) I don't know what to do with it. And if it sits empty I'm sure it will start to decay IYSWIM plus FIL might get ideas about moving in!!!!

OP posts:
OiWithThePoodlesAlready · 15/04/2016 10:30

If you need the money you could air bnb it.

FruStefanOla · 15/04/2016 10:33

Get a lodger?

chuntersalot · 15/04/2016 10:41

Ideal space to rent out for extra income :)

Ours has had a variety of uses. Used as a Granny Flat until Mum died 10 years ago. Since then we have used it as guest accommodation, rented it out, lived in by a family member when they needed temporary accommodation.

At the moment it is not in use but next use will either be teen pad or rented out again.

PrimalLass · 15/04/2016 10:45

I would use it as a bedroom, dressing room and ensuite for you. When your kids get older it is nice to have bedroom space away from them IYSWIM Wink

Get rid of the kitchen.

OurBlanche · 15/04/2016 10:47

That would be my craft/sewing workroom and office, gym. Probably turn it into the most used space in the house Smile

PrimalLass · 15/04/2016 10:52

Alternatively I'd have a big games room for the kids - table tennis, xbox etc.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 15/04/2016 10:59

How old are you and your kids?

Charlesroi · 15/04/2016 11:41

I'd rent it out to a lodger and use the extra cash to fund holidays, savings or overpay the mortgage (if you have one)

It could be a useful area for teenagers?

KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 15/04/2016 11:43

Rent to students from exotic lands?

meatloaf · 15/04/2016 11:45

Craft room

Laidupwithabrokenleg · 15/04/2016 11:53

Is it near the kitchen? Could you do some nice open plan kitchen, dining, family room thing? Have you got a rough floor plan you could add to get ideas?

vvviola · 15/04/2016 11:59

My parents had a granny flat at their place. Completely self contained. Before I found them their part time lodger (a lovely Scandanavian lady who I used to work with, who comes here to escape the winters where she lives), DM had planned to set it up as an afterschool teenager's club. e.g. 12/13/14yo come up after school, do homework (set up bedroom as study area), have a snack, watch some TV until parents can collect them.

I thought it was an inspired idea for using the space without having to have people living there...

BarbaraofSeville · 15/04/2016 11:59

Is the rest of the house big enough for your needs?

If so, rent it out - is there any demand for a Monday to Friday lodger where you are?

NapQueen · 15/04/2016 12:02

Are you near a Uni? Friends of mine rented a Granny Flat in a tres posh area of Birmingham whilse she trained as a Nurse. Her now husband worked, so "a professional couple" rather than just a pair of students.

AveEldon · 15/04/2016 12:06

People I know reintegrated the annexe into the main house - there was some structural work. Ended up with a big tv room, gym, study. Bathroom remained as is although there was talk of turning it into a sauna

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 15/04/2016 12:10

What do you need? (Think medium term, rather than right now if your kids are little)

Space for them to play/hang out
A way to connect your house to the garden
Storage and utility space
A private haven for parents
Office space
Cash
Help round the house

Respectively, that would have me making a play area which can be converted into a teen den, a garden room where we could all hang out. lots of storage and white goods, a bedroom and ensuite, office is obvious, a rentable air BnB space or lodget space, space for an aupair or nanny...

The options are endless but start with what your family needs or it will remain dead space...

BrieAndChilli · 15/04/2016 12:13

What rooms do you have in the main bit already?
I would ideally want
Lounge
Kitchen diner
Study
Playroom/teenage lounge depending on age of kids
Utility/laundry airing room
Junk room
Craft /homework/hobby room
Formal dining room (if room leftover and I didn't know what to do with it!)

BarbaraofSeville · 15/04/2016 12:13

Will you own this house OP and do you know what the Council Tax rules are? Would that have any bearing on your decision?

I think there are rules about whether it is one or two properties for Council tax purposes depending on whether it is properly 'separate' or not - I don't know what these are but would guess something to do with kitchens and bathrooms and also maybe separate gas, electric and water meters?

There's also some talk about the second homes stamp duty and granny flats but again, I don't know what these are.

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