29.4sqm Open-Plan Ivyo by Garden Annexes
Published: 1 March 2026
Reading Time: 3 minutes 30 seconds
Garden Annexes specialise in self-contained garden homes and bedroom suites, each of their four ranges are available in 24 sizes, with flexibility over layout, glazing and finishes so each building can be tailored to the garden and how it will be used.
This example is an Ivyo 540: 6m x 4.9m externally (5.5m x 4.4m internally, about 24 sqm of internal floor space). It is finished in Midnight Black externally and configured as an open-plan studio annexe with an en-suite shower room. The main room is zoned into a double bedroom area, kitchen and living space — a versatile layout that could suit an older or younger relative as a home or as guest accommodation.
Black Barn Styling
The Ivyo range is Garden Annexes' barn-style annexe: pitched roof, vaulted ceiling inside, and a character that sits well in a garden setting. Here, the choice of Midnight Black for the external finish plays to that classic barn aesthetic. The dark cladding is offset by the natural colours of the garden and planting, so the building reads as a deliberate, grounded presence rather than an addition.
A Light, Airy Interior with Vaulted Height
Inside, the room feels wonderfully light and airy. The pitched roofline creates a vaulted ceiling, giving more floor-to-ceiling height than a typical mono-pitch garden annexe. Exposed roof trusses add character and structure. Walls, ceiling and trusses are finished in the same white shade, which bounces light around the space; laminate wood flooring adds a warm contrast.
The owner chose blue tones for the room — kitchen units colour-matched to the blinds at the windows and doors. The result is a cohesive, calm interior that still feels open and connected to the garden.
Glazing Configured for Light and Connection
Garden Annexes work with each client to agree the ideal window and door configuration for light, views and access. In this annexe, a wide set of French doors is combined with full-height windows and casement windows to create a strong indoor–outdoor connection. The casement windows have deep internal sills, well suited to plants, photos or decorative objects — and the sill depth gives a clear sense of how substantial the walls are. Garden Annexes' structure is a multi-layer build-up around 250mm thick (glulam frame, insulation, linings and cladding), designed for year-round comfort and energy efficiency. The buildings are engineered in their Suffolk factory using a mix of traditional carpentry and precision CAD/CAM technology, with components cut to exacting tolerances.
En-Suite and a Full Turnkey Handover
A shower room leads off the main room. Garden Annexes' turnkey service includes groundworks and the service trench — electrical, water, waste and data connections to the main house — so the annexe is fully commissioned and ready to use when their team leaves site. There is no need for the client to coordinate separate groundworks or service installers; one team handles design, Site Pack, manufacture, installation and handover.
Learn More
To learn more about Garden Annexes and their four ranges — Annexxa, XB, St George and Ivyo — visit www.gardenannexes.com. You can request their brochure pack for a full overview of sizes and personalisation options. Speak with the team on 01284 636 424 or 0800 368 9781, or email hello@gardenannexes.com. Garden Annexes have three show annexes at their Suffolk headquarters near Bury St Edmunds; book a visit by calling 0800 368 9781 or via the website.
