As housing costs rise and the need for elder and childcare grows, many families are finding that living together offers both financial and emotional benefits. Today I’ll go over some tips for designing an intergenerational living space that balances privacy and togetherness, ensuring a comfortable living space for everyone. This could also make your home more desirable to future home buyers who need to accommodate a large family.
Integrate Technology
Adding smart home technology can improve the functionality and accessibility of your intergenerational home design. You could try out automated lighting systems and thermostats that can be easily controlled by family members of all ages, regardless of their tech-savviness, as well as voice-activated smart speakers that can help elderly relatives with daily reminders and provide entertainment for younger family members. You should also ensure that your home has a fast Wi-Fi connection and possibly set up separate networks to manage internet usage.
Adding smart technology is a particularly worthy investment if you need to sell your home sooner than later, because properties that come pre-integrated with smart home technology are becoming more popular among buyers with intergenerational families. This is because they won’t need to spend extra time and money making the property more accessible. Thus, if you’re using an online house-buying company, like WeBuyAnyHome’s sell house fast service, you could receive a higher free cash offer for your home, as your property will be easier to sell on to the next buyer.
Flexible and Adaptable Spaces
One of the most important aspects of designing an intergenerational home is creating flexible and adaptable spaces that can evolve as your family members’ needs change over time. You could consider open-plan living areas that can be easily reconfigured using movable partitions or sliding doors. This allows you to create separate zones when required, or open up the space for larger family gatherings. For example, a large living room could be divided into a cosy reading nook for grandparents and a play area for children. You can find modular furniture from John Lewis that serves multiple purposes and can be easily rearranged.
Accessibility and Safety
It’s also important to add accessibility and safety features throughout the home. You could install features like grab bars in bathrooms, non-slip flooring, and extra lighting from Argos to put in hallways and staircases. You can also widen doorways and install ramps to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. If your home has multiple floors and you have the budget, think about installing a stairlift or home lift to ensure easy access for older family members.
Storage Solutions and Organisation
With a large family living under one roof, finding storage can become a hassle. You can implement clever storage solutions throughout the home to minimise clutter and create order. For example, built-in wardrobes, under-stair storage, and multi-functional furniture can help maximise space efficiency. You could also consider adding a family calendar in a central location, such as the kitchen or hallway, where everyone can keep track of schedules, important events, and shared responsibilities.
Designing intergenerational living spaces requires a significant time investment and intelligent planning. However, by focusing on flexibility, storage, and accessibility, you can create a cohesive home that supports and welcomes all family members and goes up in value at the same time.
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