Have you ever thought about moving into a multigenerational home with your parents? More and more couples with children are looking for flexible living solutions that offer the opportunity to share their home with their family while still enjoying their own personal space—this offers both social and financial benefits.
What are multigenerational homes?
Intergenerational living, or multi-generational living, is a residential concept in which several generations live under one roof and benefit from each other in various ways—without sacrificing privacy. With this concept, each resident has their own living area that is individually tailored to their needs: an age-appropriate floor plan and barrier-free rooms for grandparents, retreats for parents, plenty of space for kids to play, and common areas where generations can come together.
Multi-generational living thus offers the opportunity to share costs and resources through the shared use of living spaces, kitchens, and other facilities. A well-planned and well-thought-out living model in a multi-generational house therefore offers numerous advantages for everyone involved and can be a worthwhile investment in your own future and that of your children.
Living in a multigenerational house: a living concept for the future
Living together with parents or grandparents in a multigenerational home can create new bonds and promote intergenerational coexistence. Older people often want to live close to their children and grandchildren so that they can be part of their lives and support them when needed. After all, there is hardly anything better for grandparents than watching their grandchildren grow up without having to sacrifice the independence and privacy that their own home offers. At the same time, parents can benefit from a multigenerational home by having help with childcare or receiving support in everyday life.
Multi-generational homes can thus help to strengthen family cohesion while enabling a fulfilling life in one's own apartment or house.
Successfully implementing multigenerational living
With careful planning and implementation, a multigenerational home can be a rewarding and enriching experience for everyone:
- Community
Living together across generations creates a community that promotes social cohesion and offers support. - Flexibility
Each resident has their own living area that meets their individual needs. This allows the living concept to be adapted to changing life situations. - Accessibility
Barrier-free apartments and common areas enable independent living in old age. - Savings
Costs can be saved through the shared use of rooms and resources. - Support
Relatives in need of care can be supported by other generations without having to move into a nursing home. - Safety
Older people feel safer when they live close to family members. - Sustainability
Sharing space and resources reduces the ecological footprint. - Learning
Younger and older generations can learn from each other and share valuable experiences.
Planning a multigenerational home: What you should consider
Intergenerational living can be a real challenge, especially when it comes to implementation. Here are some aspects to consider for the successful implementation of intergenerational housing:
Step 1: Needs analysis
A thorough needs analysis is the first step in understanding the needs of potential residents and developing a suitable living concept. Aspects such as apartment size, room furnishings, common areas, and mobility should be taken into account.
Step 2: Planning
Careful planning is crucial to enable effective and flexible use of living spaces. All aspects of the housing project should be taken into account, including the spatial concept, technology, infrastructure, and energy consumption.
Step 3: Accessibility
Compliance with accessibility requirements is extremely important when implementing intergenerational housing projects. It is essential that the living spaces and communal areas are accessible to all residents, regardless of their age or physical abilities.
Step 4: Financing
Financing intergenerational housing projects can be complex, so it is important to establish a solid financial plan early on. There are various ways to finance an intergenerational housing project, e.g. through private investors, public subsidies, or bank loans.
