Thinking of a revamp and wondering how to incorporate multigenerational spaces in your new home or renovation? Cowan Building takes a look at this new trend emerging in many homes around the world.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of keeping family close has been a big decider in home renovations and designs. The pandemic has led to a huge increase in home offices and spaces that offer a multigenerational concept to living.

If you are considering a multigenerational aspect to your new home, or renovation there are a few simple design ideas to consider. For most, the design needs to incorporate a space for the children while also offering mum and dad a secluded area to enjoy. While also considering design for easily accessible spaces for grandparents alongside zones that can be filled with laughter and food by all dwellers in the household. Having adaptable spaces, alongside clever designs can stop the feeling of living on top of each other and defuse a lot of frustrations in your home.

Open Plan Kitchens

These are a must for all multigenerational homes. Allowing the family chefs to enjoy the entertainment of the family. Large island benches and connecting spaces allow for a wonderful flow and can also provide ample seating for all family members. A well-designed open-plan kitchen can allow this important space to easily become the hub of the home. Island benches can double as food prep areas, homework stations, and also seating for extra guests or a quick breakfast. In this face-paced world, the kitchen now offers much more than just a place to prepare food. 

Many kitchens now contain information for schedules and calendars of events on pretty boards and shopping lists the whole family can add to. These can help older generations keep up with what is happening in the home.

Some experts also suggest having different height countertops for different requirements and an array of cupboards. Clever storage of the most used items, such as glasses and teacups being kept at an easy reach level can also assist children and older home dwellers. 

Clever Design

For many homes, having only one story can seem unpractical in a multigenerational space this is catering for more than four people. The key is to ensure there are at least one, possibly two, bedrooms downstairs and also one full bathroom. If you can’t get around this, consider painting the stair rail a contrasting colour to the carpet on your stairs. 

If you need to cater for wheelchairs, having wider door entries and hallways is a must, particularly for your main floor. 

Having a large lounge area that can cater to all homeowners is also a good plan. These can be cleverly sectioned off using hidden sliding doors so that one area, say for the children, can become a separate zone easily. Considering having a larger main bedroom for mum and dad, that also contains a quiet space that they can enjoy and relax in. This could be a large bedroom window with a window seat and some simple sitting areas for reading or just to take some time out. This area can easily be separated from the main bedroom with screens or once again, hidden sliding doors.

Bathrooms

This is one of the main design concepts to consider for a multigenerational home. Having a large bathroom on the lower level of the home. Large easy-to-access showers are key. Large walk-in showers, alongside some added rails, are great for older generations, while children will relish in a larger shower to play in while they are showering. Installing gas water heating is also a better option to ensure the hot water lasts for ample showering.

Large vanities are also a good idea with lots of accessible storage options that can suit all heights, wheelchairs, and family members. 

With some clever planning, careful consideration of the needs of all family members, a multigenerational home can bring ample happiness and closeness for many families.