Prior to World War II, multigenerational households were common, especially in farming communities where extra family members provided essential labor. The economic expansion in the post-war era led to the creation of new suburbs where the nuclear family, a mother, a father, and children, lived alone. After high school, children typically moved out to attend college or go to work. In recent years, due to economic and societal changes, multigenerational households are once again on the rise. For designers, that shift is a design brief in itself: how do you plan a home where a grandparent, an adult child, and a grandchild can all live comfortably, safely, and with a little privacy, under one roof? We’ve got some tips to help make multigenerational living work for the whole family.
Space for Togetherness and Independence
One of the most effective ways to support multigenerational living is by incorporating an in-law suite, guest suite, or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) into the home design. The shared spaces allow families to spend time together while separate living quarters provide an important sense of independence for everyone under the same roof. An ADU or private suite can offer grandparents a comfortable place to age in place, provide adult children with a more affordable housing option, or create flexible space that can adapt as family needs change over time. Features such as a private entrance, kitchenette, dedicated laundry, or accessible bathroom can help create a balance between connection and privacy while allowing family members to remain close by when needed.
When standalone ADU is not feasible, designers can apply the same principles inside the main home by creating distinct bedroom wings, private sitting areas, or secondary living spaces. Planning for both shared experiences and personal retreat spaces helps ensure a home remains functional, comfortable, and welcoming for every generation.
Stylish Safety
Aging-in-place used to signal institutional features like grab bars and raised toilets. However, today’s best-designed homes feature integrated accessibility from the start. Features like wider halls and doorways, showers without a threshold, and high-profile cabinet pulls feel like intentional design rather than retrofit accommodations. These features not only look great but also improve functionality for everyone in the home.
Some of the most effective multigenerational details serve both young and old at the same time. Installing motion-activated accent lighting eliminates the need to access a light switch when moving around the house after dark. In addition to adding safety, it can also save electricity by automatically turning lights off when no one is in the area. Soft-close hinges prevent slammed fingers for little hands and arthritic ones alike. Throughout the home, storing commonly used items in lower drawers rather than upper cabinets eliminates the need for climbing on a stool or standing on tiptoe to reach stored items.
Organized Together, Stored Separately
Shared spaces work best when everyone’s belongings have a defined home that doesn’t require sorting through someone else’s things. Setting up storage spaces within common areas can go a long way to giving everyone space they can call their own. This is especially important in transition areas of the home where people come and go. Assigning each person a dedicated coat hook and drawer or storage bin in the entryway can reduce friction caused by someone searching for a misplaced item. In the kitchen, drawer organizers are a great way to keep items together but separate. Drawer dividers can be configured in multiple ways to make drawers of any size more efficient for multiple people in the home. Small, defined areas where people can reliably find their keys and headphones can help make crowded living spaces more relaxed for everyone.
Kitchen Storage That Keeps the Counters Clear
When two or three generations are cooking, snacking, and gathering in one kitchen, countertop space can get crowded fast. Making the most of every inch of storage space can be the key to minimizing clutter and keeping harmony in the home. The Universal Overhead Swingout brings the deep, hard-to-reach cabinet above a refrigerator or oven forward, so access is easy. Corner cabinet organizers like the Lazy Susan corner organizers turn dead corner space into accessible storage that can be easily divided or shared.
The Takeaway
Successfully addressing the challenges of multigenerational households means designing spaces with intention and flexibility. The details that make that possible, like attractive safety features, thoughtful storage that’s organized but personal, and spaces built for more than one body at a time, make any home better designed.
Have you worked on a multigenerational project where one detail ended up serving multiple generations at once? Tell us about it in the comments.