Creating a Multi-Generational Home

Did you know that 1 in 5 households are multigenerational? This style, sometimes called multi-gen or next-gen, allows for more quality time to be spent with family and is often more affordable and practical. While the idea of multigenerational living is hardly new, the basic idea is that it is a household with at least two adult generations living together. This can take on many forms such as a home with grandparents, parents, and children living together, or a home with parents and their adult children. Some families even have homes with 4 generations living together. Regardless of what form it takes, more Americans are living in a multi-generational home than ever before.

Having multiple generations living under the same roof has advantages. A family living as a single household can divide up expenses that are commonly associated with owning a home. Parents that work full-time often benefit from living with older family members who can be used as a resource for childcare, and for helping to maintain the home while the parents devote time to their careers. An adult child out of college may choose to live with their parents until they get their feet on the ground and find a well-paying job. Another benefit of multigenerational living is that it can be a far more desirable and affordable solution than paying for a nursing home, assisted living facility, or senior home all while allowing your elderly parents to age with dignity.

While there are many benefits of multi-gen living, there are also a lot of factors to consider when converting a single family home into a multigenerational household. Some concerns include privacy, safety, and accessibility issues for children as well as aging parents. There is also the consideration of how to get the best use of the space in your home now and in the future. At Corso Construction, we can help you get your house ready for multigenerational living.

Importance of Planning a Multi-Generational Home

Planning is the most important key to a successful remodel of any type and more so when thinking of remodeling your home for multiple generations. Our expert team can help you not only be comfortable now but also plan for the future. We make spaces that allow for multiple functions and multiple preferences by using forward planning in our construction. Our detailed contractors look at their specialized areas such as framing, plumbing, and electrical wiring and make sure that these spaces can grow with the needs of the household. Rooms should never be over-customized to the point where they cannot be modified to meet the ever-growing changes in the home. A study should be able to become a bedroom, media room, or child’s playroom.

There are many ways to change an existing home to be more adaptable to multigenerational living including simple changes such as integrating universal design, remodeling your kitchen, finishing a basement, or building an addition.

Integrate Universal Design

Universal design focuses on making every living area in the house accessible to people of all ages and mobility levels without the need for adaptation or specialized interventions. Widening doorways allows easier access for wheelchairs or baby strollers. Simple changes such as touchless faucets, lever type door handles, and drawer pulls that can be opened with a closed fist can ensure that someone with arthritis or a busy mom with her hands full will be able to use them. Removal of split levels, widening corridors and open spaces, as well as using sliding doors and non-slip flooring are also great ways to integrate universal design into an existing home.

Kitchen Remodels for Multi-Generational Home Living

There are other ways to make your kitchen more adaptable to multigenerational living beyond integrating universal design principles. By making your kitchen family-friendly you can create a room that everyone will enjoy. Adding more counter space, such as an island with seating can help improve the flow of the kitchen while giving everyone a place to gather while meals are being prepared, without having everyone standing around. The addition of a breakfast nook or coffee counter can also improve the kitchen’s flow and help ensure that everyone has comfortable seating.

Adding a second sink can make it easier for multiple cooks to work at the same time. You can also add various counter heights to accommodate everyone. Making room for a second dishwasher or a larger refrigerator can also benefit the needs of more people living under one roof.

Finishing Your Basement

If you have a basement or other unfinished area in your home, we can remodel it so you can use it more efficiently. This cost-effective project can turn an unused space into a suite with its own kitchen and bath, or give you room for a private home office or den. Having a basement home design with a separate entrance and separate living can help give everyone more privacy and independence. Teenage children can greatly benefit as well. By turning a basement into bedrooms, and adding a separate entrance, your kids can have a living space that is their own while still being close to the family.

Consider Building an Addition

Another great way to give everyone more room and more privacy is to consider building an addition. This option gives you more flexibility of design and allows you to customize all of the individual elements. You can add a private entrance and other features that allow the occupants to feel more at home. An addition is an ideal way to help accommodate your extended family and can add significant home resale value. Our additions are fully customizable and the perfect way to create additional space.

Trust Corso for your Multi-Generational Home Remodel

At Corso Construction we understand the complexity of designing and building a space that can be used by different generations. Our home remodeling experts are ready to help you create the home you have always dreamed of.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation for your multi-generational home remodel or any other home renovation project.