New Year, New Space: Why 2026 Is the Year of Backyard Builds

The start of a new year has a way of making people pause and reassess how their homes are working for them. After a busy holiday season — full houses, late nights, and makeshift sleeping arrangements — many Kiwis realise the same thing: we need more space.

But not just any space. Space that’s flexible, affordable, and actually fits the way we live now.

That’s why more homeowners are turning to DIY flatpack cabins as a smart solution for creating a sleepout, granny flat, or tiny home-style retreat right in their backyard.

“We’d talked about doing something for years,” one customer told us. “Every January we’d say, ‘This is the year,’ but it finally clicked after Christmas when the kids were sleeping on sofas.”

A new year brings clarity — and momentum. Starting a kitset cabin build early gives you time to plan properly: checking council requirements, confirming whether a PS1 is needed, preparing the site, and choosing whether your cabin will be a simple sleepout or a self-contained space.

Unlike traditional builds, flatpack cabins don’t require months of disruption. They arrive compact, organised, and ready to assemble. For many people, the DIY aspect is actually a bonus.

“We liked that we could tackle it ourselves,” another owner shared. “It felt achievable — not like a massive renovation hanging over us.”

A backyard cabin also grows with you. Today it might be a home office or guest room. In a few years, it could become a granny flat or rental option. Because our cabins are Building Act compliant, they’re designed with longevity in mind.

A new year doesn’t need big resolutions. Sometimes it’s just about creating space — for family, for quiet, and for the life you actually want to live.