Mother-in-Law Suites: Can Your House Be Transofmed into a Multigeneration Home?

Mother-in-law suites have become trendy again.  According to an article by Rosa Salter Rodriquez (Journal-Gazette, Ft. Wayne Indiana: August 22, 2010) polls indicate that multigenerational living situations are on the rise.  A recessionary economy combined with high housing costs is making it difficult for young adults to set up housekeeping on their own, and for senior family members to afford retirement living.  Multigenerational living is starting to make economic sense again. 

 

Homebuilders and remodelers are taking note and the idea of families moving in together is taking hold.  A growing number of home owners are now looking for features suitable for multigenerational living. What people really want is flex space, which means a space that can accommodate different uses during a person’s lifetime.  Today, the space might be a family room or a home theater, but tomorrow it can easily be converted into a bedroom or studio apartment.  People are starting to think ahead and asking for features that will allow them to age in place or take in an older relative.

 

The options include either reconfiguring your home existing space or building a new addition that can become a mother-in-law suite.  An article in Sunday paper (USA Weekend: September 17-19) by Scott McGillivray highlights why your home might need a mother-in-law suite.  It is common knowledge that households with more than two generations living together has shot up 24% in the last couple of years.

 

The article has compiles some features that you might want to consider if you are buying for the first time or planning on remodeling for multi-family occupancy.

 

·        Extra bedrooms

·        A separate entrance will make it easier for everyone to come and go at will, without disturbing the whole family.

·        Separate living rooms.  An extra bedroom or office can be converted into additional living space to give more breathing room between families.  If you don’t have an extra room to spare, a couch of daybed to make accommodations into something more than just a sleeping space would be nice.

·        Separate bathrooms.  You can never have too many bathrooms and we all know that waiting in line outside the bathroom door is a disaster waiting to happen.

·        Separate kitchen.  Not always necessary but nice to have a little space all of ones own to do some food preparation.

·        Soundproofing.  Good quality insulation is a must if people of different generations are going to live together.  We can’t all spend our lives wearing ear phones or sound mufflers.

 

Remodeling for multigenerational living may require a qualified contractor and advice about necessary permits.  The above suggestions may seem minimalistic but they are a start.  If you have the time and combined resources to plan ahead you can consider separate wings, remodeling basements, reworking household plans to include a first floor master suite and taking some universal design features into consideration.

Comments

[firstSTREET]

I think in many ways an expanded household can be good for the family in general. In a sense, we are going back to the traditional ways of taking care of our elders by keeping them in the home where they are most happy. Thank you for sharing the article!