31.5sqm one bedroom annexe in the garden
A 31.5sqm Swift Unlimited annexe in Dorset that fits a separate living room, a bedroom and an en-suite into a compact footprint — an independent home for the family’s adult son.
This project demonstrates that a comfortable and fully self-contained garden home can be achieved within a relatively compact footprint while maintaining defined living and sleeping areas. Many annexes of this size opt for an open-plan studio layout, where the sleeping and living spaces share one room. However, Swift Unlimited’s expertise in space planning has allowed them to create a separate living room with views of the garden and a comfortable bedroom with an en-suite shower room.
At a glance
- Size: 31.5sqm — a separate living room with garden views, a bedroom and an en-suite shower room, rather than an open-plan studio.
- Built for: a Dorset family’s adult son, who has autism; at the rear of a sloping garden, private but a short walk from the house.
- Outside: horizontal Douglas Fir cladding, dark grey aluminium doors and windows, two sets of sliding doors forming a glazed corner, an EPDM roof and lighting in the roof canopy.
- Inside: plastered and decorated walls reinforced for wall-mounted TVs and shelves, sockets and hard-wired internet planned for gaming and streaming, a compact grey kitchenette and pocket doors.
- Company: Swift Unlimited — a project-managed service from design and planning to Building Control, groundworks and decoration.
Independent living in the garden
Swift Unlimited were commissioned by a family in Dorset to create an independent home for their adult son, who has autism. Located at the rear of the garden on a sloping site, the annexe offers privacy while maintaining a close connection to the main house, ensuring support is just a short walk away.
A contemporary and low-maintenance exterior
The annexe features clean, contemporary lines, enhanced by the horizontal Douglas Fir cladding that elongates the building’s appearance. The rich honey tones of the timber contrast beautifully with the dark grey window and door frames, creating a striking yet natural aesthetic. Over time, the Douglas Fir will weather to a silver-grey without compromising its durability.
Two sets of sliding doors, positioned on the front elevation and right-hand wall, form a glazed corner that floods the living room with natural light while framing views of the garden. This configuration also provides seamless access between the indoor and outdoor spaces, making everyday movement in and out easy.
Swift Unlimited specifies high-quality exterior finishes to ensure a low-maintenance design. The EPDM roof, aluminium-framed windows and doors, and durable cladding all contribute to a building that will retain its appearance with minimal upkeep.
High-quality interior finishes
Internally, Swift Unlimited finish their annexes to a high standard, with plastered and decorated walls and ceilings paired with flooring of the client’s choice. The walls have been reinforced to support heavy items such as wall-mounted televisions and shelving.
Electrical planning is an integral part of Swift Unlimited’s design process, with sockets and hard-wired internet connections positioned to suit the client’s needs. In this annexe, sockets have been carefully placed for TV placement, and a hard wired internet connection ensures a stable setup for gaming and streaming. Recessed downlights in the ceilings provide even light, while exterior lighting within the roof canopy enhances nighttime usability, lighting the journey between the annexe and the main house.
A tailored kitchen and shower room
A compact kitchenette has been installed, featuring stylish grey units. Swift Unlimited works closely with each client to tailor the kitchen design to their requirements. While some annexe owners opt for a full kitchen, others prefer a simple area for preparing drinks and snacks, as seen in this project.
The en-suite shower room, accessed from the bedroom, is well-appointed and designed around the client’s preferences. The shower is generously sized, complemented by chrome and black fittings for a contemporary look. Pocket doors have been used for both the bedroom and shower room-an excellent space-saving solution not always offered by other companies.
A fully project-managed service
Swift Unlimited provides a comprehensive project-managed service, handling every aspect from design and planning permission to building control approval, groundworks, and final decoration. They undertake the entire build, including installing the foundation system, fitting the kitchen and bathroom, and completing the interior finishes, leaving the client with a fully finished home ready for immediate use.
Some annexe companies require clients to coordinate different aspects of the build with other contractors, but Swift Unlimited offers a seamless experience, managing the process from start to finish.
Learn more about Swift Unlimited
To find out more about this project and how Swift Unlimited can help create your own garden annexe, contact their team on 01625 875 588 or via email at support@swiftunlimited.co.uk. Explore more of their designs at granny-annex.co.uk.
