"Who will be living in your home?"
In custom home design, this is one of the initial questions to address. The answer influences nearly every aspect of the home.
That question now carries more significance than ever before, and it's not just about the future owner of your home.
The number of people in a home is rising, but it's not necessarily due to larger families. Instead, living arrangements are becoming more multigenerational. Whether for economic or practical reasons, it's increasingly common for homeowners to have family members living with them temporarily or long-term.
Custom home construction offers an ideal chance to design a house that suits everyone who lives in it. With careful planning, it's entirely possible to create a multigenerational house plan that offers ample space, privacy, and amenities.
Multigenerational living situations aren’t a fad.
In fact, multigenerational housing has been on the rise since the 1970s.
A Pew Research analysis of census data found between 1971-2021, “...the number of people living in multigenerational family households quadrupled during that time period, reaching 59.7 million in March 2021."
Making for a successful multigenerational living environment means designing a custom home to be as functional as it is comfortable. It also requires careful planning – sometimes for future use that's a decade or two away.
The most common elements of house plans for multigenerational living include:
An accessible home doesn't mean installing grab bars or ramps throughout the entire house. Certainly, those are components of accessibility and may end up in your final design. However, building an accessible home means creating a house that’s easy to use regardless of physical ability or age.
Designing for accessibility usually does center around accommodating older relatives, and should be part of long-term planning for the home. But it also impacts the immediate use of a home, especially if you have little ones.
Perhaps it makes sense to include an en-suite bedroom on the first floor. Or maybe one of your bathrooms should have plenty of floor space and a walk-in shower. And light switches – what height should they be at?
In many ways, designing for accessibility isn't about making a home safe as it is about making it functional for all.
Check out our article, "Custom Home Universal Design for Accessibility."
Essentially self-contained spaces within a home, in-law suites provide separate living quarters that allow for privacy while still being under the same roof as the rest of the family.
Often, an in-law suite includes a bedroom and bathroom, with either its own kitchen or access to one within the main house. It's not uncommon for them to also have their own living room and entrance. Scaled-down versions can be as simple as a larger bedroom with a private bathroom.
In-law suites provide a space for relatives of any age to live comfortably and safely while remaining close to family. When unoccupied, an in-law suite can also serve as a home office, guest room, or den when needed.
Often only viewed as a space meant only for utilities and storage, the basement provides an opportunity for expanded living space. A finished basement can serve multiple purposes, as it can include:
Taking the space a step further, a basement can be converted into the in-law suite. As an added bonus, basements also offer natural soundproofing, so finishing one as a separate living space can provide both privacy and quiet.
Pro Tip: Considering a finished basement? Make your decision on that during the design phase of your multigenerational house plan. It's much easier to incorporate elements such as higher ceilings or plumbing for a bathroom during your home's construction.
Maybe your parents want to be close to your family while maintaining a degree of separation. Or maybe your adult children want independence while still being close to home.
Regardless, designing a custom home as a duplex bridges gaps between a single home and two living spaces.
Often, both sides of the duplex are mirror images of each other -- identical floor plans and features. But they can also be customizable to fit the needs of each family unit, with variations in size or layout on either side. Duplexes offer independence but with the added security of living close to family.
When not housing a family member, the unoccupied portion of a duplex can become a source of income -- they're easily rented out.
Even if your custom home is the one you intend to live the rest of your life in, it's impossible to plan for every last scenario for its use. Things happen. Needs change.
Though you may not have elderly relatives or kids at the moment, it's important to still consider these potential uses down the road in your custom home design plans.
The best time to explore possibilities for your home and integrate multigenerational living elements is best done during the design phase. In the initial stage of conceptualizing your dream home, there's no harm in seeing what a multigenerational house plan could look like with an in-law suite or a finished basement. An experienced custom design home builder should be able to help you balance your vision of the perfect home with the utility of accommodating multiple generations.
If multigenerational design is necessary for your home, there's no better time to incorporate your "must haves" than during construction. Adding an in-law suite or finishing a basement is less costly and easier to do while your custom home is being built. Even if you're not able to fully finish your home -- e.g. an unfinished upstairs in a Cape Cod -- having spaces ready for work later makes a world of difference in accommodating relatives who come to live with you.
Multigenerational living is on the rise as more and more families are finding benefits to having multiple generations under one roof. Though it may require some careful planning, there are many ways to accommodate for multigenerational living with a custom home.
Whether you choose to finish your basement into an in-law suite, design a duplex, or plan for the future, it's important to think about how your family might grow. By incorporating multigenerational elements during the design and building phases, you'll create a home that can adapt to the changes and needs of your family for years to come.
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How can a custom home builder help with designing a multigenerational home that meets specific cultural or family traditions? A custom home builder can assist by incorporating design elements that reflect your family's cultural or traditional needs. They can work with you to understand the unique requirements of your family, such as separate living spaces for different generations, specific layout preferences, or traditional features. Builders can also recommend design modifications and amenities that align with these traditions while ensuring the home remains functional and comfortable for all occupants. Collaboration with a builder who is experienced in creating culturally sensitive designs can ensure that your home reflects and respects your family's heritage. Did you know Barden homes are 100% customizable? What are some cost considerations or potential savings associated with incorporating multigenerational features during the initial construction phase versus making changes later? Incorporating multigenerational features during the initial construction phase can often be more cost-effective than making changes later. When these features are part of the original design, it allows for better integration with the overall building plans, reducing the need for costly modifications. For example, adding plumbing or structural supports for an in-law suite or a finished basement is simpler and less expensive during the initial construction. Additionally, planning for these features from the start can help avoid disruptions and additional expenses associated with retrofitting or remodeling in the future. Are there any zoning or regulatory restrictions that could affect the construction or use of multigenerational features like in-law suites or duplexes in different locations? Yes, zoning and regulatory restrictions can impact the construction and use of multigenerational features such as in-law suites or duplexes. Different municipalities have varying codes and regulations regarding the size, design, and use of these features. Some areas may have restrictions on the type of separate living spaces allowed, the maximum size, or the need for additional permits. It’s important to consult with local zoning authorities and a knowledgeable builder to ensure that your plans comply with local regulations and to obtain any necessary permits before proceeding with construction. |
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