A poolside investment for today and tomorrow

An investment, not just an addition

Remote workers need an office to work from home. Artists need a place to create. Growing families need to spread out. A garden room solves an immediate space need for many.

And when chosen wisely, the added bonus is an increase in property value.

Tanya and her family, however, took a different approach.

Their new Melwood wasn’t simply about creating extra space – though it certainly delivers that. It was a carefully considered financial investment, designed to work for them both now and in the years ahead.

Today, it generates income as holiday accommodation while adding immediate value to their Sydney property…and their day-to-day lives.

Tomorrow, it provides a financial safety net for their children’s future in an increasingly out-of-reach property market.

From the start, the decision to add a Melwood to their garden was about making their backyard – and their budget – work harder for them.

It’s a decision that is already earning its keep…and promises to do so in the years to come.

Holidays at home and away

As seasoned and savvy travellers, Tanya and her family saw an opportunity: why not make their trips work for them financially, too?

With a prime location in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, renting their home on Airbnb while they were away made perfect sense. And with the rare luxury of a large backyard at their disposal, they could create something truly special.

A sparkling pool to cool off in and laze beside on hot summer days. An outdoor entertaining space to come together after a day exploring the city. Beautiful landscaping to set the scene. And the key differentiator – extra self-contained accommodation by the pool offering extended family and larger groups extra space, privacy and the ability to spread out comfortably.

But of course, not only would these features appeal to holiday renters. They would also transform the family’s own lifestyle. Between rental bookings, this would be their private resort – a place to genuinely enjoy their property, entertain friends, and make the most of Sydney’s outdoor lifestyle. Even Daisy the labradoodle would benefit from the upgraded space.

The result would be a backyard oasis that works double duty – generating income while they travelled and providing resort-style living for the family when at home.

Trust in the professionals

And so, a backyard transformation was planned.

While Tanya had no trouble finding the right designers for their landscaping and pool, finding someone to create their poolside guest accommodation was a different story. “Most builders were either outside of Sydney or too busy,” she recalls.

But the best endorsements often come from other trusted professionals. “My pool architect told me about another client who used Greenspan to build a pool house,” says Tanya.

Until this recommendation, she had been looking at more traditional granny flat builders. Now with a new option to consider, she conducted her own research, quickly establishing that Greenspan specialised in exactly this type of garden building – with the experience, craftsmanship and efficiency that would make this a quick and seamless project.

And that’s exactly what it was. “The process was smooth,” Tanya confirms.

Working with her Design Solutioneer, she selected a Melwood Mod and carefully designed its features to integrate seamlessly into the larger landscaping project, completing the poolside guest accommodation that would transform her home, garden and income.

The end result speaks for itself.

A jewel by the pool

Positioned at the far end of the garden, the Melwood sits seamlessly connected to the pool via a sundeck, creating an effortless flow between swimming, lounging and retreat.

Pre-primed weatherboard cladding on the two exposed sides has been painted to match the coping of the pool, while complementing the soft brown tones of the connecting deck. White doors and windows, and a skillion roof in ‘Surfmist’ Colorbond®, create a fresh poolside aesthetic with clean, modern lines.

Spacious lawns, subtropical planting and established hedging soften the hard landscaping, creating a careful balance between structure and greenery. It’s fresh, inviting, and – with the shimmering blues of the pool and Sydney’s summer sky – it’s effortlessly coastal.

The interior continues the light, relaxed scene that the exterior sets.

White walls, warm timber flooring, natural textures and accents of soft green bring the outside in. Light floods through the double doors flanked by double-hung windows on each side, and the signature highlights that front the building.

An internal wall has been thoughtfully positioned to create a generous bathroom, complete with full-size shower, toilet and vanity, all beautifully finished with modern hardware and complementary tones. Split-system air conditioning ensures guests stay comfortable year-round, whether visiting during Sydney’s sweltering summer or milder winter months.

It’s as tranquil and welcoming on the inside as it is on the outside – a poolside retreat that’s the complete package.

Designed to deliver

Although created with financial value in mind, Tanya’s Melwood isn’t locked into one purpose. From the very beginning, it was designed to also add lifestyle value for the whole family – both now and in the future.

Presently, it’s the perfect pool house and the cornerstone to their rental offering – providing everything the family needs for relaxed days by the pool and what guests want for comfort and privacy.

“It’s used as an extra room/pool house,” says Tanya. “It’s also an addition to the house when I rent it out on Airbnb to accommodate extended families that want a large space, pool and privacy.”

For Airbnb guests, the setup is ideal. Extended families can spread out comfortably – perhaps parents in the main house while adult children or grandparents enjoy the privacy and independence of the Melwood. Everyone has their own space, yet the pool and outdoor entertaining area keep the group connected throughout their stay.

But Tanya’s planning extends well beyond today’s rental income. Plumbing has been thoughtfully installed for a kitchenette to be added down the track, future-proofing the space for even greater versatility. And she’s thinking ahead, to a time when her children will face Sydney’s notoriously challenging property market.

“With the rising costs of Sydney housing, this may in the future be a residence for one of the children when they are attempting to leave home or need to save money for a deposit,” she explains.

It’s a forward-thinking asset that earns its keep and stands ready to support the next generation later – something Tanya can confidently rely on, due to the quality and proven longevity of our buildings.

A future-proof investment

Our Cedarspan range has been popular with rural landowners as income-generating holiday rental or weekender accommodation for many years. And currently, there’s a definite trend with city homeowners looking to do the same in suburbia with a Melwood.

In today’s property market and economic climate, homeowners are approaching property improvements differently. No longer is it simply a case of adding extra space. Nowadays, property owners are weighing up the financial benefits that are available both immediately and on an ongoing basis. Multi-generational living arrangements are on the increase, and smart families are thinking about the future of their children now.

With the right building, decisions made today can be a wise investment in both money and lifestyle now, and for years to come.

And by choosing a Melwood, this is where Tanya finds herself.

An immediate increase in property value. Returns through holiday rental income that offset the cost of the travel they so love. A resort right at home between trips. And a future housing solution for their children when they need their independence most.

This isn’t just good planning. This is an investment in today and tomorrow.