Multigenerational living is when three or more generations of a family live together in the same home. It’s becoming much more popular in many parts of the world, and there are some great benefits that come with it. It allows everyone to look after each other much better, both young and old. It can also improve familial bonds and reduce overall living costs. But there are some things to consider if you’re going to go ahead with a multigenerational home, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
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Creating a Balance Between Common Spaces and Private Spaces
There should be a balance in the home between having shared spaces that work for everyone and that can be shared, and on the other hand, having private spaces for each person or couple. People need that privacy, but at the same time, you don’t want everyone to be shut off from one another so it’s all about finding the right balance.
The Right Location for a Multigenerational Home
Each member of your family might have different needs and priorities in life. Some people might need to get to work each day and others might have schools and universities to attend. Then you have to think about proximity to amenities, friends and social spaces. That’s why the location and finding one that works for everyone is so tricky but so important at the same time.
Respecting Everyone’s Time and Space
It’s also important that you all treat each other well and give each other the time and space needed. That’s a big part of a multigenerational home and a part of it that lots of people simply overlook. So make it a priority to ensure that respect is given and people are not expected to do things that they don’t want to or are not comfortable with for whatever reason.
Making the Multigenerational Home Accessible for Everyone
Another thing to think about is accessibility. It needs to be possible for everyone to use the home properly if everyone is going to feel at home there and not feel like a guest or a burden. That’s why you might need to go further to ensure accessibility when you have older members of the family to think about. You might need to install rails and stairlifts and other helpful mobility features.
Extensions and Adaptations
It might be necessary to think about the different ways in which you can extend and adapt the home. If you have a regular family home and you’re thinking of moving more of the family into it and living under one roof, you might want a little more space than you currently have right now. The right extensions and adaptations will make that possible.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to creating a multigenerational home that functions well and offers everyone what they need and what they’re looking for. So be sure to take into account each of the ideas above and make sure that all the right boxes are ticked.
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