Popular family lifestyles of the past are changing, which means buyers need homes that can keep up to match their ever-changing needs! Previously, parents and their children were only expected to live together until their children left for college or became employed, after which both the parents and children would live independently. However, over the past several years, this style of living has undergone a sizable shift.
It is becoming more common that young adult children with low income are returning to live with their parents, and elderly parents in need of assistance are moving into the homes of their adult children. This arrangement offers families peace of mind by having their loved ones close, and also provides a cost-friendly alternative to expensive housing options.
At J. Wright Home Design, during our initial design meeting, we focus on your wants and needs in order to create a thoughtfully designed home that is ideal for your multigenerational living dynamic which fosters togetherness, while still offering each member of your family the luxury of privacy and personal space they deserve.
Accessible Layout
One of the most important aspects of creating a multigenerational home is ensuring it offers full convenience for all family members. It is crucial to ensure that everyone is easily able to move through the house - especially older family members who may require a cane, walker, or wheelchair in the future.
Designing an open-concept floor plan is an excellent way to provide accessibility. It is imperative to make sure that each area allows for seamless movement from one room to another and that entryways are large enough to prevent blocking. Creating an accessible layout allows each family member to always remain as self-sufficient as possible.
Personal Suites
Each generation deserves a personal suite - everyone may be living together, but each family member should still have the ability to find privacy and personal space when they need it. Sharing too much space, especially bathrooms, can easily cause conflicts and unnecessary stress.
We recommend creating private suites with ensuite bathrooms for both parents and grandparents, while children can appreciate a shared a bathroom. By designing the home this way, it will reduce frustration and everyone can enjoy all the space they need to unwind and relax.
Separate Entrances
As further consideration for the privacy and independence desired by each family member, multigenerational floor plans should offer separate entrances for everyone to come and go as they please.
Family members may be on different schedules - early risers and night owls alike - and your home should accommodate. This will prevent unruly noise and movement through the home no matter the time of day.
When designing your thoughtfully crafted multigenerational home, the addition of separate entryways grants a greater sense of autonomy for each family member and easily prevents irritation between disjointed schedules.
Connected Common Areas
The biggest benefit of multigenerational living is the ability to enjoy more quality time with your family! Ideally, your home design should promote this advantage by incorporating dynamic common areas that easily allow for everyone to come together. These common spaces include but are not limited to: family rooms, kitchens, dining areas, and outdoor living spaces.
Despite the adjustment of sharing living space, multigenerational living offers a rare and unique opportunity to spend more time with those you love the most. Your custom home design gives you the opportunity to strengthen your family unit and create cherished memories all under the comfort of one roof!
Let's Get Started!
Creating the perfect home for multigenerational living is about customizing as many spaces as possible. Luckily for you, our team can help you create a beautiful home designed to perfectly suit your family's needs and lifestyle. By working closely with our clients, we design thoughtful home environments that provide families with the best places to enjoy making cherished memories together.
To learn more about our available home plans or to design the perfect home for multigenerational living, contact us online.
Multigenerational Living