Multigenerational Custom Home — Complete Guide

According to the US Census Bureau, a multi-generational home has more than two adult generations living under the one roof or grandparents living with grandkids under 25. Because they're practical, inexpensive, and afford more family quality time, this form of living is increasing in the US.

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With so many advantages, it's no surprise that 64 million Americans live in multi-generational homes, reveals Pew Research Center. That means one in every five Americans now lives in a multi-generational household, a 30 percent increase since 2007. Each generation may benefit from having their own space and privacy when living in such a setup.

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Many multi-generational residences feature a separate living room, kitchen, and entrance. Choosing the right custom home builder can help you devise a floor plan that allows many generations to live happily under one roof in a newly constructed home. Opting for a home with a floor plan designed expressly for multi-gen living strikes the ideal balance of unity and privacy.

How Has Corona Virus Affected the Decision to Live in A Multi-Generational Home?

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The coronavirus pandemic has highly influenced the economy, forcing many families to consider living together. There has been an increased demand for multi-generational family homes across the country.

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In her article "Covid-19 Is Giving the Multigenerational Home Business a Big Boost" for The Wall Street Journal, Katy McLaughlin reveals that homebuilders have noticed an increase in the sale of multi-generational homes with new designs being introduced for those who want to live with their elderly family members.

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According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), demand surged 15% between April and June 2020. Many families who were severely impacted by the pandemic are planning ahead and implementing the concept of living together when building a custom home.

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The financial benefits that come with shared resources, especially during these challenging times, and the ease of having loved ones close by are the two main reasons why the consideration of multi-generational homes is increasingly becoming popular. If you have the space on your land and the financial means, there's no reason you shouldn't consider a multi-generational floor plan.

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Why More And More Families Are Considering to Build Multi-Generational Home

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While building a custom home to be shared with two or more sets of adults has long been common in many cultures, it's growing prevalent in the US. Multigenerational family homes provide additional space for whatever living arrangement best suits your evolving needs. Regardless of why you may contemplate building a multigenerational home, these structures are meant to bring families closer together while still offering adequate privacy and space for each member.

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More and more people are considering the idea of houses for large families so that:

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• Parents who are getting older can safely live with their children

• Adult children may return home for a period of time after college or divorce, for example

• There's enough room for a live-in nanny or au pair

• Relatives with special needs are close by, making it much easier to assist them

• Relatives and friends are welcome to visit for an extended period of time

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According to research at the University of Oxford, children who have a close bond with their grandparents tend to be more resilient and have fewer behavioral issues. In contrast, grandparents who spend a lot of time with their grandchildren tend to live longer. Moreover, in situations where adult children move back in with their parents, this approach allows both parties to get to know each other as family.

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Advantages of Living in Multi-Generational Home

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Multigenerational houses are designed to be convenient and stress-free to live in. Building your dream house that accommodates generations has many advantages for everybody in the family.

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Easier home financing

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The idea for large family houses offers easy home financing. Family members can easily share financial commitments and responsibilities when living under the same roof. In his article "A Guide to Managing a Multigenerational Home" for Money Geek, Naveen Reddy states that family members should consider who the contributing members are and determine who pays for what. Utility and insurance bills can be split, and two construction loans can become one while living in a multi-gen property.

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Save more time

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These residences can also help your family save time. Travel time to meet the family is reduced, and duties can be shared to make household chores easier and more efficient. Consider how much time you'll save before going to work if you have live-in childcare. There will be no drop-offs and no rushing back to work.

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Parenting help

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Having grandparents nearby can provide all the assistance you need. If you have young kids, having your parents watch them during the day can save you money on daycare and babysitting. Parenting help is particularly important for single parents.

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Strengthened relationships

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Living in a multigenerational home allows relatives to spend valuable time together without the need to travel from one area to the other. Your children will appreciate the time they spend learning so much from their grandparents, and your parents will treasure the time they spend watching their grandchildren grow into young adults.

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Safety and security

Multigenerational living has a lot of advantages, including security in the home. With many generations living under one roof, a home is rarely abandoned for lengthy periods of time — and living with other family members enhances the likelihood of someone being present to aid senior family members in the event of an accident.

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Health and social benefits

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If a health emergency arises, such as an elderly family member falling or a relative with special needs getting injured, other family members will be there to assist. This is a more desirable (and inexpensive) choice for an adult caring for a parent who can no longer live alone than employing a caregiver or placing their parent in an assisted-living facility.

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Disadvantages of Living in Multigenerational Home

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Living in a multigenerational home offers some significant advantages, but it is not always easy. Unique obstacles that aren't usually issued in single-generation households may occur when numerous individuals live under the same roof.

You might miss your privacy.

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The more people there are under the same roof, the more challenging it is to find time and space for privacy. Everyone must have some quiet time alone now and then, but it can be difficult in multigenerational households. Lack of privacy in the home may significantly affect teenagers or family members who must share a bedroom. It is crucial to work with the best quality home builder who can map out rooms that encourage togetherness and solitude.

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It can be challenging to find room for certain activities.

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It may be more challenging to make space for personal activities in a multigenerational home than in a single-family dwelling. For instance, if you're required to transform your home office into a bedroom so your parents can move in, where will you complete the work tasks you used to do in that room. It may also be more challenging to carve out indoor exercise, arts & crafts, and other interests.

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There may be emotional conflict.

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One of the most prevalent issues is determining who is "in control" when different generations of adults are in the house. The majority of adults desire to feel in charge of their own lives. There might be growing pains when adult children move back in with their parents or when parents move in with adult children.

Important Point to Keep in Mind While Design Multigenerational Homes

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Designing a layout that makes perfect sense is the key to creating multigenerational residential properties. Living with family may be pleasant and efficient when a home is designed for comfort, privacy, and accessibility. In an article "Designing for Multigenerational Households: Here's What You Need to Know" for Architectural Digest, Elissaveta Brandon writes that, "as families determine how to coexist in the same space on a long-term basis, designers have to navigate the unique set of challenges that ensue around privacy, congregation, and mobility limitations of older residents."

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Custom homes built to accommodate many generations eliminate the stress of having too many people under the same roof by striking "a balance between private and shared spaces."

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Think accessibility

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Multigenerational homes require an eye for accessibility. Even if your grandparents can get around easily now, thinking ahead can save growing pains in the future. Crafting architectural environments that are wheelchair accessible means the elderly will always feel welcome. In most cases, open-concept layouts are a great accessible home design. And, configuring a space that enables family members to easily reach their private living spaces means everyone can remain as independent as possible.

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1.Design for dual purposes

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Remember this rule of thumb: converting a bedroom into another space is simple, but converting a space into a bedroom is not always doable. Bedrooms typically require windows and a closet, so consider this when designing a multigenerational home. You'll have more flexibility in the long run if you consider building a multipurpose home. Rather than having activity-specific rooms such as an office or a fitness room, creating as many bedrooms as possible and converting them as needed is preferable. As a result, you'll always have many bedrooms that can be transformed into other rooms.

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2.Give enough space

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When looking to live with more than one generation in the same house, you'll need to consider a custom house with space so that everyone has enough room and privacy. How do you make sure no family member feels completely suffocated? Ensure that at least one designated living space for each generation in the house. For example, in a case where your parents live with you and your kids, everyone has a little peace room and a place to rest if the house layout has a family room, a den, and a playroom.

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3.Utilize every inch

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With numerous families sharing a single residence, a perfect home design considers every square foot. You'll feel a lot more comfortable if you get inventive with all of the areas in your home. Consider converting parts of your home's underutilized spaces, such as the attic, basement, or the space above the garage. Rethink the use of each room and turn storage areas into inviting living areas. You can always find alternative spots to store your belongings, and everyone will be delighted if they have additional room to move around.

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4.Enjoy Separate Suits

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If you have the opportunity to construct your home from the ground up, ask your architect to assist you in configuring suites for each generation. In multigenerational households, sharing bathrooms can be a big source of contention. A bedroom and bathroom suite for grandparents and parents, as well as a jack-and-jill bathroom for children, can relieve some of the strain on the home's busiest rooms.

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5.Offer separate entrances

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When designing multigenerational homes, another thing to think about is how each generation will enter the house. It might be ideal for designing a custom home with different entrances if there isn't much overlap in schedules (early risers going to school versus night owls arriving late). This will decrease traffic and bustle throughout the day and give family members a sense of independence.

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Build Multigenerational Custom Home with Element Home Builder

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Imagine having all of your loved ones living under one roof, each with their own private space and areas made expressly for them to gather in comfort. With more homeowners sharing their space with many generations, the best home builder, Element Homes, is here to help you build a new custom home that allows you to do so comfortably.

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Eliminate the stress of reconfiguring your existing space instead; build a new multigenerational bespoke house tailored to your needs. As top home builders, we seek to help our clients create the home of their dreams by providing exceptional craftsmanship, outstanding customer care, and unrivaled expertise.

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Luxury estates constructed by Element Homes are purposefully designed with the entire family in mind. It's all about creating the space that you desire and transforming your idea into a forever home where you can enjoy your personal sanctuary with those close to you. The multigenerational home strikes the ideal harmony between independence and togetherness while maintaining comfort. Element Homes works meticulously to ensure that the design of your house anticipates future life changes, allowing you to live worry-free now and tomorrow.

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