Architecture
All in the Family: 4 Tips for a Thriving Multi-Generational Home
Privacy, flexibility and accessibility are the keys to cohabitation, when multiple generations reside under one roof
Multi-generational homes, where two or more generations of related adults live together, are increasingly commonplace in Australia. There are a number of reasons for this; elderly parents may need the assistance of their adult children or they may be required to babysit the grandchildren, young couples or families may be saving for a deposit, while young adults often opt to stay in the family home longer so as to avoid paying steep rents.
No matter the reason or arrangement, the right layout can make make all the difference for multiple generations living harmoniously under one roof. Here are 4 top tips for planning a home that makes everyone happy.
No matter the reason or arrangement, the right layout can make make all the difference for multiple generations living harmoniously under one roof. Here are 4 top tips for planning a home that makes everyone happy.
Private bedrooms and bathrooms
Privacy for bedrooms and bathrooms is essential. Planning the layout of a house so that each generation has their own area, with bedroom (or bedrooms) and full bathroom, can help ensure privacy. This may take the form of elderly parents on the ground floor with the rest of the family on an upstairs level, or parents at one end of the house and adult children at the other.
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Privacy for bedrooms and bathrooms is essential. Planning the layout of a house so that each generation has their own area, with bedroom (or bedrooms) and full bathroom, can help ensure privacy. This may take the form of elderly parents on the ground floor with the rest of the family on an upstairs level, or parents at one end of the house and adult children at the other.
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By paying attention to the design of the bedrooms, these areas can become private retreats for adolescents, parents and grandparents alike. Comfortable seating can provide a quiet place to read or relax away from others.
Partitions, such as sliding doors, can create a boundary between public and private areas, or between private areas if in the same part of the house.
Separate entrances can also enhance privacy. In this house in St Kilda East designed by Taylor Knights, the front is separated from the back, allowing for two entrances, two living areas, and private bedrooms and bathrooms, while an open-plan kitchen and living area is shared by the whole family. “Zoning the house also allows for greater flexibility with heating and cooling if either party is away or out,” Knights says.
Communal living areas
The living room, dining area and kitchen are communal spaces where the family can come together and share tasks such as cooking and entertaining.
Serving as spaces for meals, relaxation and socialising, these communal living areas should have furniture that is comfortable for every age group in the house.
The living room, dining area and kitchen are communal spaces where the family can come together and share tasks such as cooking and entertaining.
Serving as spaces for meals, relaxation and socialising, these communal living areas should have furniture that is comfortable for every age group in the house.
Secondary living spaces
Additional living areas provide another place to either socialise or to be alone. They may be designed as smaller communal areas or as private living spaces related to various bedrooms.
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Additional living areas provide another place to either socialise or to be alone. They may be designed as smaller communal areas or as private living spaces related to various bedrooms.
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A secondary living room can help reduce noise levels in the main living area, especially if there are young children in the house. It can also prevent clashes over which television program to watch or music to listen to. Plus, it provides a quiet spot if one member of the family wants to read while the others are involved in noisier activities such as watching a movie or socialising.
Short on space? Consider whether any small or transitional areas can be transformed into spots for reading, relaxing or watching television. This sunny little sitting area, for example, overlooks the front yard and is a perfect place to sit and read away from the main living areas at the rear of the home.
This landing area has been transformed into a secondary living area with a wall of shelving for a television, books and games.
How to maximise space in small rooms
How to maximise space in small rooms
Outdoor space
Having outdoor space to sit, play, cook or socialise is important for all generations. This may be in the form of a garden or courtyard that extends from the living area, or a private balcony off a bedroom.
Having outdoor space to sit, play, cook or socialise is important for all generations. This may be in the form of a garden or courtyard that extends from the living area, or a private balcony off a bedroom.
2. Flexibility
“Flexibility is important – providing spaces that are visually engaged with each other and yet flexible enough to provide privacy when required,” says Mark Austin of Austin Maynard Architects. Making spaces adaptable and versatile means they can cater for different generations as well as the possibility of other generations moving into a house in the future.
“Flexibility is important – providing spaces that are visually engaged with each other and yet flexible enough to provide privacy when required,” says Mark Austin of Austin Maynard Architects. Making spaces adaptable and versatile means they can cater for different generations as well as the possibility of other generations moving into a house in the future.
Austin Maynard Architects designed Charles House for a young family with consideration of the grandparents moving into the house in the future. Accommodating the different life stages of each family member led to flexible spaces and functions: a music or living room can become a student den or granny flat, the children’s bedrooms, hallways and living areas can be opened up or closed off, and the parents’ room is a physically separate space.
Retractable walls and doors provide for this flexibility of present and future use, interweaving children’s spaces and creating accessible living for grandparents.
Retractable walls and doors provide for this flexibility of present and future use, interweaving children’s spaces and creating accessible living for grandparents.
A home office or study is another space that can be adapted to different uses. A fold-out sofa bed can be used to accommodate an overnight guest or two, or the entire space can be transformed into a fully functioning bedroom should it be needed.
3. Accessibility
Solar Sollew, pictured here, is a purposefully designed multi-generational house that is wheelchair accessible and energy efficient. “Accessibility and future-proofing the house to ensure it would cater for the health and functional needs of residents was an important design requirement,” says Chi Lu of building design firm Positive Footprints, who were responsible for this design. The house is only 240 square metres in size, yet Positive Footprints cleverly managed to squeeze in a double garage, three bedrooms, open-plan kitchen and living area, plus a secondary living room upstairs. An easy-to-access bedroom and bathroom on the ground level is for the grandparents.
When designing homes for older occupants or those with a disability or reduced mobility, Lu says it’s important to think about the practical considerations. “Include larger circulation spaces, easy-to-use doors, furniture and tapware, and power points at appropriate levels,” she says.
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Solar Sollew, pictured here, is a purposefully designed multi-generational house that is wheelchair accessible and energy efficient. “Accessibility and future-proofing the house to ensure it would cater for the health and functional needs of residents was an important design requirement,” says Chi Lu of building design firm Positive Footprints, who were responsible for this design. The house is only 240 square metres in size, yet Positive Footprints cleverly managed to squeeze in a double garage, three bedrooms, open-plan kitchen and living area, plus a secondary living room upstairs. An easy-to-access bedroom and bathroom on the ground level is for the grandparents.
When designing homes for older occupants or those with a disability or reduced mobility, Lu says it’s important to think about the practical considerations. “Include larger circulation spaces, easy-to-use doors, furniture and tapware, and power points at appropriate levels,” she says.
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You should also ensure surfaces are level, there are limited steps, and that doors and clearances are wider than standard.
In this kitchen, a cantilevered bench allows for easier wheelchair manoeuvrability.
In this kitchen, a cantilevered bench allows for easier wheelchair manoeuvrability.
Here, a flat entrance and extra-wide paths and door frames help ensure that everyone can enter and exit the house with as little difficulty as possible.
4. Finishes and Decoration
Materials, finishes, furnishings and decorations should be suited to all three generations in communal spaces, but can be more generation-appropriate in private areas. “The best approach is to keep the materials and finishes timeless and practical. It’s also important that the materials are robust and easy to maintain,” Knights says.
Materials, finishes, furnishings and decorations should be suited to all three generations in communal spaces, but can be more generation-appropriate in private areas. “The best approach is to keep the materials and finishes timeless and practical. It’s also important that the materials are robust and easy to maintain,” Knights says.
Choose high-quality materials that are durable and low maintenance, and add furnishings and decorations that reflect personal tastes.
If secondary living rooms are specific to a generation, whether elderly parents or young children, furnish and decorate the room according to their tastes, interests and needs so the room feels like their own.
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Tell us
Are you living in or planning a multi-generational home? Tell us about it in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts. Join the conversation!
More
Read more architectural stories
“The key is to create a balance between private and communal areas,” says Peter Knights of architecture and interior design firm Taylor Knights. Private areas provide space where people can get away from others, while communal areas mean family members can spend time together or share household tasks.