Multigenerational living makes financial sense in today’s economy. Raising a child around older relatives may contribute to their development, lighten the load of childrearing and strengthen family ties.

However, living with your parents or in-laws in a poorly designed space can cause inconveniences and tension around the house. These six practical tips can help you make your multigenerational home functional.

1. Hear Everyone’s Design Opinion

Everyone in the home should have a say in the layout and decor. Otherwise, some people may feel more like guests and less like residents.

If you’re building, decorating and furnishing your space from scratch, brainstorm together or get input from key parties and incorporate them into the design. If one family is moving into another’s house, the homeowner should seek ideas to adjust the communal areas’ function, form or both to make the newcomers feel comfortable.

Nobody will get their way every time. Compromise is the key!

2. Make Every Square Foot Count

The ideal multigenerational home is a middle housing unit — like a duplex, triplex, courtyard house or cottage court. However, most residential properties in the United States are either detached single-family houses or apartment building units. Most often, owners have more space than renters. 

Unless you find a suitable middle housing unit built on an above-average lot, your property may feel cramped for multiple families. You’ll have to make the most of the available space to satisfy everyone’s needs.

For example, the yard can be untapped real estate. Learn about local zoning ordinances to determine whether you can build out, up or down. You might also be able to construct an auxiliary dwelling unit to increase your finished space. Remodeling unused indoor areas like the basement, attic or garage also works.

 3. Have Everyone Contribute

The more people you have under your roof, the harder it can be to keep the house clean and organized. At the same time, that can mean more hands to help. 

One survey showed that only 28% of parents say their children do chores regularly. Once your children start becoming more independent, they can start completing age-appropriate chores. Teach your children to be responsible for cleaning up after themselves and keeping their rooms tidy. Not having to do this work yourself is especially helpful if you have elderly parents in the home who also need your attention.

If you have adult children living at home, they can take on more responsibilities as well. For example, they can be responsible for the grocery shopping so you can stay home and take care of other matters. 

If everyone has a role in keeping the home functioning smoothly, that will take a big load off your shoulders.  

4. Put a Premium on Privacy

Here are some important privacy considerations for multigenerational living:

  • Entrances: The ideal multigenerational home is a multiunit property with separate front doors, giving everyone due autonomy.
  • Bathrooms: It might be wise to add an en suite bathroom in every bedroom if you can afford it. This way, nobody has to wait to shower, get ready or use the bathroom. Alternatively, consider having shower and powder rooms in strategic areas instead of full or three-quarter bathrooms to save space.
  • Storage: You should also ensure everyone has adequate storage space. Those with more essential belongings may require oversized closets.
  • Shelving: Another strategy is to install as many shelves, cabinets and drawers as possible. You can also add shelving to cupboard doors to organize pantry items. 
  • Food: You can label food with the owner’s name. However, remember to share and be considerate.
  • Noise: Reduce noise between rooms where you can to promote peace in private spaces. Complement insulation with sound-absorbing items such as thick drapes and carpets.

5. Modify Features for Aging in Place

Functional multigenerational houses meet the unique needs of occupants at various life stages. If you live with older family members, value accessibility and mobility to promote safety and independence. 

Aging in place should be high on your agenda when rethinking your property’s design room by room. Here’s how:

  • Bathrooms: Curbless showers and walk-in tubs are older adult-friendly home features. Reinforcing at least one bathroom with grab bars is a thoughtful practice, as is swapping knobs for handles.
  • Flooring: You can install nonslip flooring, such as luxury vinyl tile, linoleum or carpet.
  • Lighting: Brighter lighting helps housemates with declining vision see more clearly. 
  • Paint and color: Highly contrasting hues make home features more distinguishable. Choose a therapeutic paint color as your base to set the room’s intended mood, and then pick another that complements it. For instance, you might choose green walls with red, brown or purple accents.
  • Accessibility: People who use wheelchairs require more room to move around. Wider doorways and pathways, more table legroom, lower countertops, shower seats, grab rails and ramps aid mobility.

6. Reduce Obstructions in Shared Areas

An open floor plan works wonders for multigenerational living. It creates an illusion of space and promotes socialization. If you have older adults and toddlers in the house, minimal solid enclosures will also extend your gaze and aid supervision.

Regarding windows and doors, install sliding units instead of swinging ones. Windows and doors opening inward or outward obstruct the pathways and eat up precious floor space.

7. Take Advantage of Natural Lighting

You can use glass walls, large windows and glazed exterior doors to blend indoor and outdoor areas seamlessly and let in more sunlight. Daylighting helps make living spaces appear more spacious than they are. Glossy, light-colored surfaces also cause natural light to bounce around and illuminate communal areas more widely and deeply.

8. Furnish and Decorate Intentionally

A multigenerational house can easily look chaotic. Messes can increase stress levels at home — particularly for those who feel pressure to tidy up frequently.

Your home should contain only meaningful furnishings and decorations to minimize clutter, especially in shared areas. Everyone should be considerate and let go of the belongings they don’t use, need or enjoy.

You can draw inspiration from the Japanese philosophy “mottainai,” which means “what a waste.” This concept encourages maximizing the value of existing possessions and advises against excessive consumerism. This philosophy can inspire your family to curb consumption and reuse valuables creatively. It reduces the need to declutter frequently and makes cleaning sessions easier.

For example, you might keep framed mementos and hang them on the wall to save table space and remember your fondest memories. You might give away or recycle excess throw blankets, old film cameras, VHS players, out-of-date gaming consoles, old bedding, books you’ve already read and more. 

Design a Functional Multigenerational Home

Cohabitating with extended family members can be a rewarding experience when your house balances togetherness and privacy and promotes safety and independence. Apply these tips to make any residence suitable for multigenerational living.