West Australian families are embracing multi-generational living. Rising house prices and the high costs involved with childcare are contributing to the growing appeal of multi generations living together. As well as strengthening family bonds and connecting across the generations, building a multi-generational home can allow every member of the family to improve their living conditions and lifestyle. 

What is multi-generational living? 

Multi-generational living means at least two adult generations of the same family living together. This can be in either one large home, designed for multi-generations or, as is increasingly common, a main house with a granny flat for the older generation elsewhere on the block. 

In many cultures, multiple generations living under the same roof is seen as the standard way of doing things. In Australia, adults living at home with their family is a relatively recent thing. 

What are the key features of multigenerational homes? 

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to designing a multi-generational home. Ensuring that each separate family group has its own bedroom, bathroom and kitchen facilities is the best way to reduce any potential friction. 

You could also split areas into zones to allow each family member or generation their own separate space to make sure that the family dynamic doesn’t grow too intense. 

You could consider a designated quiet zone for grandparents or elderly relatives that the younger generation understand is not a shared space. Or if it is, it is one that has to be treated with respect. 

While it’s nice to allow each family member some privacy with designated private spaces, shared common areas or living spaces like a large kitchen or living room are important so that families can interact with each other. For families planning to share childcare, having a larger space where different generations can hang out is a good idea. 

Many multi-generational homes will also incorporate accessibility features like ramps, rails or wider doorways to futureproof the home as its residents age. 

What are the advantages of multi-generational living? 

There are many advantages to multi-generational living. By pooling the time and resources of two generations, it’s likely that the family group will be able to purchase a larger property, and share the responsibilities and administration of daily life without any one family feeling overwhelmed. 

Larger property

Putting two family incomes into one property purchase is likely to massively increase your purchasing power. If one or more of the family groups is selling an existing property in order to purchase a multi-generational block, they could contribute existing equity towards the house purchase. 

As well as increasing your buying abilities, putting more equity into a house purchase or house build could net more favourable interest rates or a smaller mortgage. 

Strengthening family bonds

The main reason given for multi-generations living together is to strengthen family bonds. As adult children get older and start families of their own, they often develop a newfound respect for their parents. In addition to seeking out advice, they might also seek out their parents’ company, aware that they will not be around forever. 

In some cases, adult children might feel a sense of responsibility as their parents get older.  

Help with childcare

Another huge advantage of multi-generational living is the help with childcare that older family members can provide. Older family members, who have often retired, can be on-hand to help with school pick-ups or drop-offs. As children get more independent but are not still old enough to be left home alone, older family members simply being in the house can help working parents organise their time.

What are the potential issues with multi-generational living? 

If we were drawing up a multi-generational living pros and cons list, the advantages would vastly outweigh the disadvantages. That doesn’t mean that building a multi-generational home will be all smooth sailing. It’s important that family members talk to each other to check that their idea of multi-generational living is in sync. Having ground rules and a plan for what to do if issues do arise is vital if you want to make your multi-generational living a success. 

The importance of future-proofing 

It’s also really important to future-proof when you’re designing a multi-generational home. Older parents might be in good health when you start living together, but it’s worth having contingency plans for what happens when they get older. Are you going to add accessibility features later, or have them put in straight away? Is this arrangement intended to replace aged care? And it’s not just parents ageing that has to be considered. 

While small children might love having their grandparents around, how is the household dynamic and layout going to change as infants become adolescents and then teenagers? Or even adults also still living at home? All of these things need to be taken into consideration. 

What is the best layout for multi-generational living? 

The best layout for multi-generational living will vary from family to family. Some multi-generational floor plans offer entirely separate areas for different generations, with children grouped upstairs, parents downstairs and grandparents in a separate granny flat out back.

Others integrate generations with the entire family living under one roof, designed around a central communal area, with different zones off that. At Novus Homes, we have been building custom homes designed to fit around your family for over 25 years, so we know what works. 

How do I find the right multi-generational home? 

Finding the right multi-generational home is all about knowing what it is that you’re looking for. There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself about the type of home you want. You also need to prioritise the things that you want. How important is location? Do you definitely want a separate granny flat, and how important is outside space? 

You then need to consider whether you want to build the multi-generational family home of your dreams, or whether you might be able to buy it. 

Building a multi-generational home

When it comes to building custom homes in Perth our motto is: "if you can dream it, we can build it".

As a custom home builder with 30 years experience we understand that the design of a home is personal and that every family has specific needs and ideas. Our role is to listen to your vision and help you to interpret it into something real, a bespoke design that ticks every one of the boxes.

Novus Home multi-generational home designs 

Selecting the ideal home design for a multigenerational family is even more personal, as you may have to take the needs of more than one family into consideration. We are dedicated to designing and building homes that meet the unique requirements of your family, ensuring a harmonious and comfortable living environment for the entire multi-generational household.

Here are some of our multi-generational home designs for inspiration. We can also customise any of our designs to ensure that your home design reflects exactly who you are and what you want. 

Contact us 

If you need further assistance in helping you plan your home here in Perth, one of our New Home Consultants would love to meet with you personally to create your perfect design.