Whether for short-term visitors, extended family, or as a rental opportunity, a well-designed guest house strikes the right balance between functionality, comfort, and design.
At Open Volume Studio we’re here to share some of our design insights and great guest house secrets.
Purpose
You’re ready to plan your dream guest house, but where do you start? First and foremost, it’s important to think about your guest house’s purpose and function. Will it primarily host family, or are you considering a more versatile space, like a guest suite that doubles as a home office? How you want the space to be used will shape its size, layout, and overall design.
For instance, if it’s for family, the focus might be on creating communal areas that are great for socialising and entertaining. On the other hand, if privacy and self-contained facilities are key, you might consider a private kitchen, an independent entrance, and thoughtful landscaping to provide a sense of separation.
Take our Surrey Country Guest House project as an example. Here, entertaining is at the heart of the design with communal spaces that encourage socialising and a seamless flow between areas. In our Epping Forest project, The Farmstead the design priority was to honour the property’s natural surroundings. Our clients asked us to convert and extend a portion of their narrow barn into a granny annexe or guest house that would celebrate landscape views along with the industrial farming heritage of the barn. The subtle glass and timber box extension and open-air pergola blur the boundaries between inside and outside, creating transparent and porous spaces from which to experience the countryside.
Designing a guest house is a great opportunity to get creative and try out bold and innovative ideas that might not fit a main home. At The Farmstead, for instance, we had some fun experimenting in the bedrooms by using polycarbonate sheeting to filter and channel light. We also designed ‘lightweight’bathroom insertions that contrast with the style of the main house. These playful, unconventional features add character to the guest house - perfect for a secondary space where there’s more freedom to take risks.
Planning
When it comes to countryside properties, there’s often planningto consider. These homes are frequently listed or located in conservation areas, national parks, green belts, or areas of outstanding natural beauty. While this can make the planning process more complex, it doesn’t need to be a headache - it’s nothing an experienced architect can’t help navigate. Check out our post on Areas of Outstanding Beauty (AONB), and why ‘permitted development’ may be the key to extending, altering or refurbishing your home.
Take The Farmstead again. As a listed barn, it required an especially sensitive approach to design. By paying particular attention to the views from the main house, we were able topreserve the character and charm of a traditional working barn.
Located in the Green Belt and an AONB, the Country Guest House presented some planning challenges in terms of location. In collaboration with Planit Consulting and using a Certificate of Lawful Development (COL) application, we ensured the project adhered to guidelines set by the local council and the Ministry of Housing. The result was a thoughtful design that respected the surrounding landscape. If you’re considering developing a property in an AONB or Green Belt zone, it’s important to understand your rights as a property owner. Permitted Development rights may be limited, and planning permission harder to secure, but with careful planning, solutions to these constraints can result in a project that is both mindful and beautifully designed.
Dialogue
Creating a meaningful connection between a primary residence and a guest house is key. We believe in a considered aesthetic and functional relationship between the two. An example of thisis the Country Guest House, an extension of a beautiful existingArts and Crafts property in Surrey. To unify the design, the guest house draws inspiration from the main house's architectural style while incorporating subtle details that reflect the client’s Chinese heritage. The Country Guest House is also positioned to engage with the distant views of the landscape and the lateral views of the main property. A deep understanding of the grounds and the original architecture guided the design process, resulting in a modern structure that also celebrates the luxury and craftsmanship of a historical home.
The Farmstead embodies a careful dialogue betweencontemporary design and an ancient barn and listed farmhouse.Materials were chosen for their relationship to the main residence and the rural landscape. One unique feature is an external covered walkway connecting one of the bedrooms with the living space. This intentional external journey is inspired by Japanese architecture and the concept of connecting the exterior to the interior.
Balance
When designing a guest house balance is key. For many clients,a guest house needs to embody comfort, design and even luxury, yet remain secondary to the primary residence. It is an exciting challenge that requires athoughtful approach to space, style, and comfort. By considering the needs of future occupants, integrating the structure with its surroundings, and focusing on both function and aesthetics, we can create spaces that enhance a property, reflect hospitality and embody great design.
Be our guest and take a look around some of our selected projects for inspiration.
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