Open-plan garden annexe in Surrey
An 8.7m x 4.4m open-plan annexe on the edge of Surrey farmland — black and oak Millboard, corner bi-folds and a soft green Shaker kitchen — handled start to finish by one company.
When you embark on building a garden living annexe, there are typically two paths regarding the installation process. You can either order the building from one company and engage separate companies for installing the kitchen and bathroom and connecting to mains services, or you can opt for a single company that oversees the entire process, from the initial design to the moment you receive the keys to your move-in-ready home.
Miniature Manors adopt this all-encompassing approach, handling and project managing the entire process for their clients. This includes their in-house design team managing the planning approval process, with so far a 100% success rate.
Operating in Surrey, East Sussex, and West Sussex, Miniature Manors concentrates its efforts in these regions, ensuring each project receives the attention it deserves.
A prime example of their work is this open-plan living annexe in Surrey. Occupying a footprint of 8.7m x 4.4m, the annexe offers spacious open-plan living, seamlessly connected to the garden. Thoughtfully placed glazing captures views of the surrounding countryside.
At a glance
- Size: 8.7m x 4.4m — open-plan living opening onto the garden, with a Shaker kitchen and a shower room alongside.
- Outside: Millboard fibre cement cladding in black and oak, chosen to sit against the farmland; two sets of aluminium bi-folds meeting at a corner.
- Inside: a soft green Shaker kitchen chosen by the owners, with a picture window over the sink framing the garden.
- Planning: the in-house design team runs the approval process — a 100% success rate so far.
- Company: Miniature Manors — design, planning, build, and their own plumbers and electricians on the mains connections, signed off by Building Control. Surrey, East and West Sussex only.
Contemporary garden annexe
As seen in these photos, the annexe showcases a striking contemporary style. Miniature Manors is unique in its ability to craft both modern mono-pitched buildings and traditional pitched roof designs. For this project, the clients wanted a design that complemented the nearby farmland.
To achieve this, they selected exterior fibre cement board cladding from the Millboard range in two colours: a bold black and a contrasting oak hue. Millboard cladding, known for its dimensional stability and resistance to rot and fungal attacks, maintains its colour over time without the need for painting. This makes it an ideal choice for a living annexe. We have used Millboard here at Garden Room HQ and have experienced firsthand the quality of this material, which is available in various colours and textures.
The black cladding particularly lends the annexe a contemporary barn-like appearance, harmonising with its farmland setting.
The annexe also features high-spec, aluminium-framed doors and windows. The use of two sets of bi-fold doors in a corner configuration allows the main living space to open seamlessly onto the outdoors.
Well-specified kitchen and shower room
Unlike many annexe companies that offer only standard layouts and limited choices for kitchens and shower rooms, Miniature Manors prefers a bespoke approach. Clients are not restricted to predetermined designs or finishes; rather, they are given the freedom to select styles and configurations that align with their individual preferences and needs. In this Surrey annexe, for instance, the owners opted for a Shaker-style kitchen in a soft green. The strategically placed picture window above the sink does more than enhance the kitchen’s allure; it also frames a captivating view of the garden.
Adjoining the kitchen, the shower room exudes a sense of spaciousness. Miniature Manors’ plumbers and electricians handle all the connections to the mains services for both the kitchen and shower room, ensuring that everything is up to standard and approved by Building Control. As Miniature Manors completes their work, the annexe is fully prepared for immediate occupancy.
Learn more about Miniature Manors
To discover more about creating a garden living annexe in Surrey, East Sussex, or West Sussex, engage with the Miniature Manors team at 01403 610 619 or via email at contact@miniaturemanors.co.uk. Visit www.miniaturemanors.co.uk for further insights into their offerings.
