Even if you’re not planning to rent your garden suite right away, it’s a smart move to design it in a way that keeps that option open.
Whether your garden suite is for family now and tenants later, or you’re still deciding what the future looks like, thoughtful planning during the design phase makes a big difference down the road.
This month on The Gentle Side of Infill, we’re sharing 5 simple, future-friendly choices that make it easier to rent your garden suite later on, without needing major renovations.
1. Plan for Flexibility with Utilities
It’s important to decide in the early design stages how the new garden suite will be serviced with water, power, and gas.
After walking the Hazeldean garage suite owners through the pros and cons of combining utility meters vs. separating them, we landed on a single shared set of services, with the power meter in the garage, the water meter in the existing home, and the gas meter outside the existing home.
If you’re going to rent your suite, separate meters can simplify billing and provide more autonomy for the tenants and homeowners. On the other hand, shared services can reduce upfront costs, making them a practical choice for homeowners that are certain they will use the space for their family members in the future.
Utility planning is an essential step in every garden suite project. Placement of meters is decided based on the layout of the lot, ease of access, and future maintenance needs.
2. Smart Window and Balcony Placement
One of the most common concerns you may have about garden suites is privacy, yours and the tenants’. Poor window or balcony placement can lead to extremely awkward situations where your tenants have a clear view into your backyard or living space.
During the planning stages, we recommend placing windows and balconies in a way that avoids direct sight-lines into your backyard or main house. Instead, consider using narrow transom windows, which let in plenty of natural light without compromising privacy, like we did in our Windsor Park garage suite!
Transom window in the Windsor Park garage suite
As for balconies, there are a few design options to consider. We often orient them away from the main home, or, when that’s not possible, use 5’ frosted side panels to block views into the yard and provide a private balcony for the tenant.
Balconies enhance the tenant’s quality of life significantly and are a compelling amenity for attracting longer-term renters. To maximize on usable space within second‑storey square footage limits, we often design an open balcony, and while it can add to upfront cost, a balcony transforms unused roof space into a functional outdoor area and significantly increases rental appeal.
The 5’ frosted balcony we designed for the Windsor Park garage suite provides privacy for the tenant and the homeowner
These are small design choices that go a long way in keeping long-term living arrangements smooth and respectful.
3. Decide on Shared Yards vs. Fencing
Think about how you’ll want to share space in your backyard if you rent your suite.
Some homeowners choose to fence off a small private yard for the suite, especially if they plan to rent to someone outside of the family. Others opt for a shared green space, which works well when the suite is meant for extended family, or for homeowners who don’t mind sharing their backyard with renters.
4. Design the Garage Thoughtfully
If you’re thinking of building a garage suite, consider designing it with two separate garage doors. In some cases, the garage can even be split internally into two rooms, offering extra privacy for both parties, with one of the rooms having indoor access to the suite. This simple design change allows you and your future tenant, or family member, to each have your own dedicated, secure parking space.
Separate garage doors in the Windsor Park suite
5. Install a Lockable Utility Closet
One design element many people don’t think about is installing a lockable utility closet in the garden suite.
It’s a simple addition that keeps electrical panels, gas meters, and other mechanical systems secure and accessible to the homeowners, without needing to enter the main suite and bother the tenant.
This is very important to consider if there is a possibility of renters in the suite in the future.
The lockable utilities closet in the Windsor Park garage suite
BONUS – Consider Options for Garbage Cart Sharing
When it comes to garbage collection, there’s a great program in place in Edmonton that you can apply for to share garbage carts between the main home and the suite.
This is a great fit for families using the suite themselves and it really simplifies waste management and reduces monthly municipal costs. Check it out!
Keep in mind: If you ever decide to rent the suite to non-family members down the line, you can notify the City and request an additional garbage cart to keep everything separate and organized.
What’s Next for the Hazeldean Garden Suite
With excavation complete and utilities prepped, the foundation is underway. The cribbing has been set, and we’re ready to pour the concrete slab. Once that’s cured, the framing will begin and the suite will start to take real shape above ground.
This is one of the most exciting phases, when the blueprints and designs start to look like a home. Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing updates as the walls go up and the structure comes to life.
In the meantime, if you’re considering a garden suite of your own, or are interested to learn more about what’s involved, please reach out to us at info@eehomes.ca or 780-708-4660.
For more insights on thoughtful, energy-efficient infill, follow us on LinkedIn, we regularly share Edmonton’s bylaw updates, project stories, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from the Energy Efficient Homes team.
About Energy Efficient Homes
At Energy Efficient Homes, we believe infill should feel good, for your family, your neighbours, and the neighbourhood as a whole. Every project is rooted in collaboration, designed with care, and built to support a more livable, walkable Edmonton.
If you’re interested in building a garden suite for your backyard, please reach out!
