How to Adapt Your Home to Support a Multigenerational Household

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Multigenerational households — when two or more generations live together under one roof — have become more commonplace in recent years. According to Generations United, 66.7 million adults live in multigenerational homes in the United States — or over one in four people.  

The number of adults living together today is notable. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that multigenerational households have quadrupled since 1971 due to population growth and a demographic shift.    

While every household looks different, three generations — grandparents, adult children and grandchildren — are the typical living arrangement, followed by grandparents raising grandchildren. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more adult children have also moved back in with their parents or vice versa.  

However, living in a multigenerational house presents ample bonding opportunities and frustrations alike. That's why adapting your home is essential for an easier transition.

Families Who Live Together Stick Together

Many benefits are associated with living together in a multigenerational household, but families should think long and hard about it before making a decision. Although you're among relatives, having everyone together under one roof is quite an adjustment. Consider the lack of privacy or independence, possible tension that may arise, and generational clashes concerning beliefs, routines and varying opinions.  

Additionally, elderly parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents who come to live with you may require extra care as they age — meaning you may need to prepare yourself for caregiving responsibilities. Of course, that might be the point of them moving in in the first place.  

The reasons why adults choose to live together vary. Approximately 40% of people living in multigenerational households do so for financial reasons, while 33% take care of family members. Another 28% of American adults claim living this way has always been the norm.   

Keeping a positive outlook is essential if two or more generations intend to live together successfully. Some of the advantages include the following:  

• Grandparents and grandchildren or parents and their adult children have an opportunity to grow closer.

• You can strengthen familial bonds by honoring family traditions, storytelling and sharing new experiences.

• Daily routines and tasks that involve everyone's participation can reduce the stress of household upkeep and responsibilities.

• Pooling resources and sharing expenses might relieve the financial burden of grocery shopping, takeout, household essentials or utility bills.

4 Ways to Modify Your Home for Multigenerational Living

As the multigenerational household trend accelerates, more builders have rendered floor plans to accommodate loved ones. However, regardless of whether you're building new construction or seeking to transform where you currently live, these four necessary modifications will help support your home.

1.    Designate Space for Everyone

Let's say your elderly parent has finally taken you up on your offer to move in. If they live alone and cannot care for themselves, it will be a relief for both of you in many ways.  

However, it's important to remember that moving is hard for some people, especially older generations. The longer they've lived in one place, the more likely their home becomes a part of their identity, making it increasingly difficult to leave. Additionally, they'll probably be unable to bring all their belongings, many of which hold sentimental value.  

Before inviting a relative into your home to live with you, you'll want to create a space just for them. Depending on the size and number of rooms in your house, this may require adding square footage by converting your garage into a livable room, building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the property or finishing the basement.  

You might also need to add another bathroom and improve the functionality of your communal spaces for greater comfort.

2.    Create More Privacy

Many multigenerational households will discover that a lack of privacy usually becomes an issue. Thankfully, there are ways you can ensure every member of your family can acquire a bit of separation when they need alone time.  

Ways you can enhance privacy in your home include the following:

• Adding pocket or French doors

• Rearranging shared spaces with dividers and doors

• Compartmentalizing relaxing nooks throughout your home

• Closing off areas with curtains

• Creating an outdoor living area  

Improving your home's privacy may require you to get a bit creative. For example, if you have an unfinished basement, it may be best to finish it to give everyone the much-needed extra space.

3.    Modify the Home to Meet Everyone's Needs

It's crucial to consider everybody's requirements, regardless of age, when adapting your home to support a multigenerational household. Consider who's moving in and how you can reconfigure the space to accommodate how they live.  

Perhaps your adult child is moving in with their young family while their home is under construction or if they're trying to save money. In that case, find ways you can childproof your home and give the kids space to play and do their homework.  

Modifying your home for an elderly relative with mobility issues may require other adaptations for healthy living. Aim to develop a universal design — with products and surroundings — that everyone could benefit from. Some ideas may include:

• Raising the electrical outlets and light switches

• Swapping out toggle lights to paddle-style controls for easier operating

• Widening doorways to fit a wheelchair or walker

• Clearing furniture or other obstructions in hallways

• Renovating the shower so it has zero-curb for stepping

• Adding grab bars to the shower

• Installing higher ADA-compliant toilet seats

• Making the microwave and other appliances more accessible

• Ensuring the entryway has one level or installing a ramp to get into the house  

You might also need a first-floor bedroom if your house has stairs. Every year, 3 million American adults ages 65 and older land in the hospital with a fall injury.  

Of course, creating a ground-level living arrangement isn't always possible, which is why renovating your staircase will be vital to ensure the health and safety of multiple generations. Widening the stairs, adding two handrails and deepening the tread may be required. Additionally, adding better lighting in the stairwell and outlets and electricity for a future chair lift is recommended.

4.    Maintain Regular Upkeep

Making necessary changes to your home will allow everyone to acclimate to their new living arrangements more quickly, but you must keep up with maintenance.  

When appliances or utility units fail — such as the laundry machine or air conditioner — everyone in your household will have a difficult time. Replacing faulty appliances and upgrading to newer, more efficient models is a good idea.  

Also, remember that your household's needs may change over time. Your elderly family members may require additional upgrades if their eyesight or mobility worsens. Children will also grow up and may need better privacy or separate bedrooms.  

Prepare yourself mentally and financially to make those adjustments over time. It’s better to tackle these projects as they arise and stay ahead of trouble rather than wait for everything to fall apart and do them all at once.

Make the Best of Living in a Multigenerational Household

Adjusting to a multigenerational household may frustrate you initially, but there are many ways you can make the transition better for everyone. Just remember to make the best of the situation. Some might call you lucky for having the chance to be together.