In recent years, there’s been a rise in the number of multigenerational homes in America, allowing family members to easily split finances, share responsibilities and engage in communication. Continue reading this article to dive into why we’re seeing the modern family trend, As an expert at KLMR Family Homes, I can attest to the growing popularity of this modern housing trend, share what the benefits of multi-generational homes are, and how homebuilders are building homes to meet the needs of these families.

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Modern Family Trends

Multigenerational living has surged in the U.S. over the last five decades with no apparent peak in sight. This trend is largely driven by pragmatic considerations such as financial constraints, family caregiving responsibilities, and concerns about overall safety. According to data from the Pew Research Center, a significant proportion of Americans cite financial reasons as a primary motivation for residing in multigenerational households, regardless of income level. Furthermore, the Pew survey highlights that caregiving plays a significant role in multigenerational households, with a quarter of adults in such arrangements involved in caregiving activities.  These responsibilities contribute not only to the well-being of the individuals receiving care but also to the overall safety and support within the family unit.

Pros and Cons of Multigenerational Living

Multigenerational living presents opportunities for financial stability, emotional support, and intergenerational learning, yet it may also lead to conflicts regarding living arrangements and divergent cultural values.

Advantages

  1. Financial Savings – Living in a multigenerational household offers economic benefits as shared expenses like mortgage payments, utilities, and food costs are divided among multiple adults, leading to reduced financial burden per person. This setup enables young adults to save money or reduce debt.
  2. Enhanced Home Financing Opportunities – The co-habitation of multiple adults with financial resources and incomes increases the likelihood of securing mortgage approvals or refinancing. Moreover, it may improve borrowing capacity, although lenders typically consider the lowest credit score during the underwriting process.
  3. Assistance with Childcare – Additional adults in the household, such as retired grandparents, can provide valuable support to parents in caring for young children.
  4. Strengthened Family Bonds – Multigenerational living fosters stronger connections among family members, particularly across three generations, positively influencing children’s emotional and behavioral well-being through increased grandparent involvement.

Disadvantages

  1. Reduced Privacy – Sharing living space with more individuals results in diminished personal privacy compared to living independently. This can pose challenges for both grandparents and young adults accustomed to solitary living. However, establishing clear boundaries beforehand can help mitigate potential conflicts.
  2. Cramped Living Arrangements – As the number of people living in a home increases, the space often seems smaller. Due to the accommodation of each person’s personal belongings, rooms in the home may feel smaller.

Design Options

Home builders are working to accommodate the needs of these age-diverse families, keeping in mind everyone from young children to their elderly grandparents. Homebuilders like KLMR Homes are integrating designs that cater to multigenerational living, acknowledging its growing significance in housing preferences. These design features include:

  1. Separate Living Areas – In a well-designed and spacious home, each generation can enjoy privacy while still being part of the same household. These areas may include private suites, in-law quarters, or even dual-key homes with distinct entrances.
  2. Accessibility and Safety – Shared spaces like kitchens, dining areas and living rooms are thoughtfully designed to meet the accessibility and safety needs of all family members. For example, elderly family members often require features like wider doorways, grab bars in bathrooms, and single level living to accommodate mobility aids. Builders incorporate universal design principles to ensure that all housing amenities and rooms can be safely used by all who reside at the home.
  3. Collaboration with Custom Home Builders – Families collaborating with custom home builders have the flexibility to tailor designs to their specific requirements and preferences.

Selecting a multigenerational house plan requires careful reflection on family dynamics, lifestyle preferences, and individual requirements. Collaborating with experienced architects and builders is crucial to design a space that effectively caters to everyone’s needs. KLMR Homes, a Valley homebuilding company, provides designs tailored for multigenerational living. For instance, in their Cave Creek projects, they have incorporated multigenerational suites offering privacy and independence for aging parents, college students, or caretakers for the elderly. These suites feature amenities such as a small kitchenette and washer/dryer hookups.

Author: Kaylee Smith is vice president of sales and marketing for KLMR Homes, a Scottsdale-based homebuilder with plans for new residential properties across the Valley. The team’s vision is to build quality constructed homes with long lasting value, while delivering a positive homebuilding experience. For more information, visit www.klmrhomes.com.