BACKYARD RETREAT
When you think granny flat, chances are you picture a hastily put-together shack crammed into the back of a block. It’s small and square; perhaps there’s a kitchen tucked away into a corner, and by “kitchen” we mean a microwave oven and a sink, which also doubles as the one you wash your hands in after using the toilet.
Thankfully, times have changed. A granny flat is no longer a dated eyesore in your yard that takes up space. The modern-day granny flat is a studio, a cabana, a haven — it’s whatever you want it to be and more. Whether you’re after a home office, a yoga retreat or a man cave, a backyard studio can be a fabulous addition to your home that not only increases your property’s value, but also provides a much-needed sanctuary.
“This is a place where you can go to retreat from everything around you,” says Debbie Legge from Designer Hideaways, which specialises in garden studios/backyard studio kits. This business started when Debbie wanted to create an art studio in her garden for her own use. “I was unable to find one that didn’t look like a cubby house, or make you feel like you
