Small Home Design Inspiration

Which of these small buildings would add more value to your property?

Too many Kiwi homeowners seem to think that the best way to gain extra living, working or storage space is to plonk a tin shed in their yard.


Here are some tips and ideas that we hope will inspire you.

Small secondary house beside main house

The key to creating value

is a small home that fits

As you can see, this small home in Melbourne sits right beside a classic Victorian villa, separated for privacy by a hedge. 


The slope of the roof allows the home to comply with height-to-boundary requirements while opening it up to loads of natural light from the overhead windows on the right.

Two houses on one propoerty
Granny flat and shed match house

They’re not flash, but they do

work with the house

This home has two secondary buildings, a small dwelling and a shed, on the same section.

Here, the homeowner hasn't gone for a designer look but rather a traditional style of construction and landscaping that works with the original house and character of the neighbourhood.

Will your small home comply

with the new exemptions?

This small house has a kitchen and bathroom, so even if it was under 30 square metres (which it clearly isn’t) it wouldn’t be exempt from needing a building consent from August this year. Only unplumbed buildings which meet the exemption criteria will be exempt.

But that doesn’t stop you from having a bedroom, studio or workshop without requiring a building consent.
Openness and light create feeling of space
Freestanding outdoor room in yard

Will the exemptions apply 

to this outdoor room?

With a footprint smaller than 30 square metres, an outdoor room like this will probably not require a building consent when the new exemptions come in. 

But they must comply with the Building Code and be built by a Licensed Building Practitioner – that’s us! 

Lots of glass and opening louvres are ideal in this kind of application because with plenty of natural light and airflow, they provide the versatility so the room can be enjoyed in both summer and winter.  

Separate or linked?

That is the question

For privacy, you may prefer to keep your secondary dwelling quite separate from your primary dwelling but another option if you’re looking for extra space in your primary dwelling is to link the secondary dwelling by means of a deck or walkway and overhead canopy. 

If these elements are freestanding – that is, not directly connected to each other – you may not even need a building consent after August. We'll keep you posted.
Clever link creates seamless living
Clever use of space in a tiny house

Use clever interior design

to make space inside

Because space is limited in a small building, good interior design is important. Although the new building consent exemptions will likely only apply to single-level buildings, adding a mezzanine – in this case for a bed – may be a legal way to gain more liveable space.

Secondary dwelling or holiday home? Why not both?

One final option you may want to consider is a tiny house on wheels. Provided they meet roadworthiness requirements, these can provide a home away from home as well as extra space at home while they’re sited on your property. 
Tiny home on wheels for versatility

Like more small building inspiration? 

Check out these articles 

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