Kids moving home and grandma too?
It wasn’t that long ago that it was not unusual for grandma and grandpa to live in the lower flat and one of their adult children to live in the upper flat with his/her young family. Three generations in one building. Consider that farm family with the patriarch/matriarch living in one home and second and third generations living in other homes on the same property. My family always joke about “living on the compound,” each of us taking on the responsibilities of children, aging adults, animals and basic house chores.
Today’s lifestyle is the ultimate refocusing on family first. Some of the trends we as designers are seeing is in the form of Multigenerational Homes, also known as multi-gen or next-gen homes. If you do an Internet search on any of those terms and you will find a wealth of ideas related to the concept. With housing prices high and cost of living going up, so many 25-35 year-olds are moving home after college, or deciding to not moving out at all. That leaves the boomers, or 40-60-year-olds, providing for multiple generations under one roof. It is estimated that 64 million Americans live in multigenerational homes.
It can be a happy place! Benefiting different family member’s needs for reasons of practicality, affordability, health, quality of life and time with family. It’s a practical way to live. There are additional caregivers either for the older or the younger, can provide an alternative to assisted living for aging parents, can provide an alternative to daycare or after-school care for children, and can work especially well when family members all contribute in their own unique way.
Carving out the space for an additional family member within the home is affordable because it allows the sharing of expenses and maintenance. If you’re building, it can be less costly to build one structure than two or to purchase one lot instead of two. Or adding that addition to the back of the house or renovating the unused portion of your home is a great way to create the perfect privacy for an in-law suite.
Fostering better family ties, building more memories for children, and having a greater commitment to caregiving are just some of the relational benefits gained in a multigenerational home.
There are many options.
While some may wonder about privacy or separate entrances, there are an ample variety of floor plans that give a wide range of choices. Some are as simple as having a parents’ suite and more elaborate plans are multi-level or even two houses on one lot.
A good way to start the planning would be to gather everyone around the table, or on a Zoom call, and talk about what’s most important for your family. Listening to every family member and respecting everyone’s needs, contributions and preferences for multigenerational living will guarantee harmony in your new home.
Another step is to consult with a knowledgeable interior designer when you are still discussing layouts. Following ADA (American with Disabilities Act) requirements, interior designers have developed special expertise for those seeking accommodations when home owners are aging in place. There are a multitude of design factors to be considered: The size of doorways, bathroom accessibility, the height of outlets, windows, shelving, the use of motorization on window treatments and some seating, and more.
Whether you are planning new construction or adapting a current structure, doing ample research and working with a knowledgeable professional can help you have more confidence. You’ll want your new spaces to be long lasting, functional for changing lifestyles and ages, and so enjoyable that your home is a constant reminder of the good choices you made. Contact ABCA Design today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Remember, a healthy home is when families support each other in positive ways, and each has the privacy or social support they need.
