Across the United States, a housing trend known as multi-generational living is gaining popularity. Multi-generational living refers to a situation where two or more adult generations of a family share the same household. This could include parents, grandparents, great-grandparents or even uncles and aunts.
In response to this emerging trend, interior designers are under a great deal of pressure to rethink the way homes are designed and laid out. By understanding the key design principles of multi-generational living, you could be better prepared to serve clients seeking to make the most of their multi-generational spaces.
Understanding the Needs of Multi-Generational Households
According to the Pew Research Center, the population of multi-generational households in the United States has quadrupled since 1971, with an approximate 18 percent of the population choosing this living situation in 2022.
Why Multi-Generational Living Is Growing
Multi-generational living is growing for several good reasons, starting with its cost-efficiency. When multiple adults share the financial burden of a mortgage, utilities, groceries and other essential expenses, this can significantly reduce individual costs of living.
Meanwhile, for families with young children, living in a multi-generational household can make it easier to enjoy readily available childcare assistance from grandparents or other willing relatives. All of this can lead to improved family support and stronger family bonds overall.
Unique Needs of Different Age Groups
When designing for multi-generational living, interior designers must keep the unique needs of various age groups in mind. Older adults, for example, may need an accessible home design that allows them to age in place comfortably. Families with children, on the other hand, will need more family-friendly home design elements.
Key Design Principles for Multi-Generational Homes
Interior designers can best meet the needs of their multi-generational clients by observing some universal design principles as they work.
Flexible Layouts
First, multi-generational house plans should have flexible layouts with rooms that can serve multiple purposes as needed. Designers, for instance, may incorporate modular furniture that doubles as storage space while appealing to the overall aesthetic of the home.
Soundproofing and Acoustics
Designers should also consider acoustics and sound when creating multi-generational house plans. More people living in the same space can mean more noise, so designers should account for this with additional soundproofing in areas of the home that will see the most traffic.
Accessibility Features
For multi-generational households with older adults, incorporating elements of aging in place design is also key to empowering clients to thrive in their spaces for many years to come. For instance, open-concept layouts leave enough space to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Meanwhile, accessible shower stalls and baths can also make all the difference.
Creating Private Spaces
One of the biggest challenges for designers in creating multi-generational home designs is giving each individual a sense of privacy in the household. Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken to accomplish this.
Separate Entrances or Suites
Whenever possible, multi-generational homes should offer separate entrances or en-suites for each generation living in the home. This can provide an added sense of privacy while ensuring that nobody else in the household is disturbed if people are leaving or returning home at different times.
Bedrooms as Retreats
Because common areas will be shared by multiple people (and possibly even multiple families), bedrooms should be customized as private retreats for clients. This is where getting to know each client’s unique preferences and design tastes can really help you elevate bedroom designs, so be sure to ask your client questions.
Home Offices and Study Areas
For children doing homework or adults working from home, having dedicated home offices and study areas set up throughout multi-generational homes is a must. Ideally, these spaces should be located in areas of the home where traffic and noise are minimal to enhance focus and concentration.
Enhancing Shared Spaces
When designing shared spaces, designers should also keep a few things in mind.
Kitchens as the Heart of the Home
Multiple generations will likely come together in the kitchen on a daily basis, so it’s important to focus on creating an accessible space that promotes socialization. Consider incorporating multiple tables and seating areas so family members have plenty of space to spread out.
Family Rooms for Connection
Family rooms are another popular gathering area in a multi-generational home, so take your time exploring family living space ideas and home addition ideas that will cater to everybody’s unique needs. This should include adding plenty of comfortable seating so family members can spread out and incorporating open-floor plan ideas that seamlessly merge kitchen and dining room spaces into family room areas.
Outdoor Spaces for All Ages
When designing for multi-generational living, don’t forget about outdoor living. Make sure that outdoor spaces offer something for everybody in the family, from young children to grandparents. This may mean incorporating a small play set for children to enjoy adjacent to a tranquil garden area for grandparents to stroll through. Also, ensure that there’s plenty of outdoor seating for backyard gatherings.
Maximizing Storage Solutions
Space is often a concern for those making the switch to multi-generational living. Thankfully, there are plenty of clever and practical storage solutions that families can take advantage of as they design their new spaces.
Smart Storage for Shared Spaces
Modular furniture will make a world of difference for designers working with multi-generational clients. Modular furniture can suit just about any desired aesthetic and be extremely functional in terms of offering added and discrete storage when needed. Ottomans with hidden storage, sofas that can be reconfigured, and even Murphy beds that can fold out of the wall are all examples of modular furniture solutions that can be useful for multi-generational clients.
Integrating Technology for Convenience
Technology, including smart home solutions and multi-generational communication tools, can make multi-generational living more enjoyable for everybody involved.
Smart Home Solutions
Multi-generational households can benefit from smart home solutions that make life easier, including:
- Smart lighting solutions
- Smart climate control
- Smart home security systems
Multi-Generational Communication Tools
Meanwhile, those living in a multi-generational household may also want to explore tools that make it easier to communicate with family members from opposite sides of the home. Built-in intercom systems that can reach different wings or areas of the house can be especially useful here.
Real-Life Examples of Multi-Generational Design
One of the best ways to find new multi-generational home design ideas is to explore some real-life examples and case studies for inspiration.
Case Studies: Custom Multi-Generational Homes
The New American Home
“The New American Home” in Orlando, Florida was built with multi-generational living in mind, featuring dual kitchens, private suites with separate entrances and shared family areas. With flexible living spaces, energy-efficient designs and beautiful shared outdoor spaces, this home serves as a prime example of what multi-generational living can look like.
Lennar’s NexGen Home
Meanwhile, home builder Lennar has created a series of home plans designed to incorporate “homes within homes.” These spaces incorporate such features as private suites with their own bedrooms, bathrooms and mini-kitchens for extended family members, as well as separate entrances and soundproofing for added privacy. Meanwhile, family members can enjoy plenty of communal areas for shared activities and bonding..
International Inspiration
Looking for more examples? Gain additional inspiration for multi-generational living from these examples across the globe.
Three-Generational Living in Japan
Here, we can explore a compact yet efficient home designed for three generations, with separate floors for added privacy and shared spaces for family meals. This property also makes use of space-saving furniture, sliding partitions for added privacy and a shared outdoor courtyard.
Italian Courtyard Homes
In Italy, it’s not uncommon to find traditional Italian homes with centralized courtyards that allow extended families to live together while maintaining private quarters around the shared outdoor space. Additional features in these unique homes may include communal courtyards, individual entrances and a mix of private and open layouts.
Multi-Generational Homes in Australia
In Australia, home builder Mirvac has featured “pods” that can function as separate living spaces or be integrated into the main house. These homes feature adaptable layouts, dual kitchens and eco-friendly designs catering to extended family living.
Tips for Planning a Multi-Generational Home
Looking to make the most of a multi-generational home design? Following these best practices could help you create a successful design that your clients love.
Involving the Whole Family in the Design Process
First and foremost, make sure everybody is involved in the process as much as possible. This includes members of each generation who will be living in the house. This way, you can get a better feel for each person’s needs and preferences and build your design around that.
Working With a Professional Designer
Clients making the transition to multi-generational living should not attempt to DIY their interior design. With so many different factors that must be considered and accounted for, it’s always best to work with a professional to get the most out of the design and ensure it meets everybody’s needs.
Prioritizing Adaptability for the Future
The best multi-generational home designs are the ones that are adaptable enough to meet not just current but future needs as well. This may mean, for example, building in some accessibility features or leaving room for these features (such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts) to be added as needed down the road.
Design for the Future With a Degree in Interior Design
Multi-generational living is becoming an increasingly practical option for many families, and interior designers should be prepared to help their clients optimize these living situations in any way possible. If you’re looking to develop your interior design skills and expertise, then it’s time to start looking at interior design degree programs.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), we’re proud to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design program in both online and on-campus formats. No matter which format you choose, this program encompasses a variety of disciplines that include elements of architecture, environmental design, graphic design, color theory and much more.
Take the next step towards your degree by reaching out to our team to learn more and completing your online application for admission today!
