How to tell if your home is suitable for multigenerational living
Multigenerational living (where two or more generations of one family live under the same roof) has grown in popularity over the last decade.
There are many reasons for this, including inflation and the rise in living costs. But regardless of whether it’s a design trend or necessity, multigenerational living is something lots of our clients are curious about. If you’re considering multigenerational living, the first step is ensuring your home is suitable.
Modern multigenerational living
Multigenerational living, especially in Sydney, has become more than just a granny flat out the back.
Modern multigenerational living now focuses on creating flexibility within the home that can offer multipurpose and privacy that supports the needs of every family member.
Multigenerational living is certainly not a new concept. It’s been around for centuries and is still a strong cultural inclusion for families across Asia, the Middle East and all over the globe.
Families who choose to live together can save on costs and provide an immense support for family members.
For would-be first-home buyers, multigenerational living gives them the opportunity to live with extended family while saving up enough money for a deposit.
And for the ageing population, it provides a supportive home environment that can be more appealing and cost-effective than moving to a retirement village or aged care facility.
The main considerations
Not every home is suitable for multigenerational living. Many houses require alterations and additions before they can fit two or three generations in comfortably.
If you’re hoping to jump on the trend and bring all your family members home, here are some key questions for you.
Space and layout
Does your home have enough space to accommodate everyone? This includes bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, kitchen spaces and outdoor areas.
We’ll also assess the layout of your home to see whether it’s flexible enough to allow for various activities to occur in close proximity.
Privacy and accessibility
Living with different generations of family members can have the potential to become a hotbed of tempers and conflicts.
And while we can’t install personal boundaries (though we wish we could!) we can install physical boundaries, using separate zones and spaces that encourage privacy and peace.
As for accessibility, it’s crucial to consider the needs of those who will be living with you. If you’ll have elderly family members, you might want to consider how accessible the existing home is or whether you might need to install additional supports like rails, ramps and wider doorways.
Zoning and council compliance
Above everything, you must consider whether you’re properly zoned for multigenerational living.
Luckily, the council compliance and development approval process can be straightforward with strategic design partners like Playoust Churcher on your side.
Making an informed decision
Depending on the reasons, if it’s looking like your home isn’t suitable for multigenerational living you might still have available options, such as home alterations, additions or a complete extension to create the spaces you require for a successful multigenerational project.
Bringing generations of family into one home can be hugely rewarding, but it is a big decision.
You can make an informed decision by properly assessing your current home and enlisting the support of experts who can provide you with a feasibility assessment, schematic design concepts and project support from conception to completion.
Design experts in multigenerational living
We’ve worked with many clients in creating beautiful, successful multigenerational living homes and are well-versed in assessing the suitability of a property.
If you’d like to explore your options, contact us today to get started.
