Renovation Tips for Multigenerational Homes

The need for multigenerational homes is increasing and home remodeling contractors have had to keep up. As of 2019, 20% of homes housed multigenerational families. However, as the economy slows, this percentage has already started to increase.

Moreover, societal changes are causing both younger and older generations to live together. Americans are living longer and may require assistance in their senior years. Young Americans are also marrying later and are moving out of the home later.

For home remodeling contractors, this trend has provided an opportunity to learn about the needs of multigenerational families. While your home might have been well-suited for you and your spouse, remodeling the home can improve the comfort and safety for everyone from toddlers to seniors. Economists project the remodeling industry will grow 2% annually through 2025 and much of this will be driven by multigenerational homes.

Here are three ways to renovate your home to accommodate multiple generations:

Finish Your Basement

An unfinished basement is the perfect blank canvas to provide the features needed by your multigenerational family. Finishing a basement is often easier than remodeling a finished room because the home remodeling contractor does not need to work around existing plumbing, electrical circuits, and walls. Moreover, you will not need to demolish the finished room before implementing your new design.

Some of the features you can incorporate into your basement finishing project include:

• Flexible space. A basement office could expand your living space, but also provide a bedroom for housemates.
• Accessible bathrooms. If your houseguests include seniors, you might want to finish your basement with an accessible bathroom. A larger shower, grab bars, and a lower sink can also make the bathroom more usable for young children.
• Play space. If your houseguests include children, a basement entertainment room or playroom can help them spread out without taking up space on your main floors.

Build an Addition

If your home does not have an unfinished basement, an addition can increase your living space to house your family members. A few options for residential additions from home remodeling contractors include:

• Second-story addition. You can add a second story to your home to nearly double your living space.
• In-law apartment. You can add on to your home with a self-contained apartment including a kitchen and bathroom. The benefit of this is that each generation can have its own space.
• Cottage. To create even more separation, you can build a detached cottage behind your home. This will provide your guests with all the conveniences of their own home, plus privacy, while still receiving the benefits of multigenerational housing.

Renovate Your Kitchen

Families spend most of their time in the kitchen and living room. If the number of residents in your home is about to increase, renovating your kitchen can help you ensure your home will be comfortable and functional for everyone.

Some of the considerations to keep in mind as you work with home remodeling contractors to renovate your kitchen include:

• Additional storage. Your housemates will probably need additional storage space for food, appliances, and dishes. New cabinet designs are often more efficient than older cabinets, providing more useful storage for the same footprint.
• More workspace. More people using your kitchen will mean more need for workspace. Adding an island can multiply your workspace and add more storage.
• Accessibility. If your housemates include seniors, you might want to widen walkways and lower counters to make them more friendly to people with mobility limitations.

You should view a remodeling project for a multigenerational family as an opportunity. Working with home remodeling contractors Cincinnati trusts will allow you to maximize your space while making your home safe and welcoming to all your family members.