In Hawaii, multigenerational living has always been a common tradition and continues to be a growing trend among homebuyers Nearly a quarter of a million locals lived in multigenerational homes in 2018 amid rising costs, and the amount is expected to increase due to the pandemic.
Sharing a residence with grandparents, parents, or children can be a wonderful experience, but if your home lacks the necessary design suited for multigenerational living, it can lead to more challenges. Without proper design or accommodations, families can feel crowded, older residents might face more physical obstacles, and mental health can drop. However, there are many ways to design a home that are worth considering when embracing this style of living, meeting the needs of every resident – no matter their age.
Creating a space accessible to everyone
With all ages living under one roof, it can be difficult to find a space that accommodates everyone. That’s why making adjustments or additions to collective spaces like bathrooms and the kitchen can make everyone’s lives a little easier.
Add support bars in bathrooms near the toilet or bathtub, install a new handheld showerhead to help individuals with restricted mobility, or if your budget allows, replace a traditional tub with a walk-in shower so that showering is easier for everyone. Consider a heat lamp for older adults who get cold after a rinse, or make more vanity space available for anyone who struggles to bend down to open cabinets.
In the kitchen, you can build counters that stand at different levels so kids and adults can prepare meals together, or look into adjustable countertops. The latest kitchen design ideas make your kitchen more amazing. Design the kitchen to be more inclusive to all residents by hanging up a large calendar to share or a dry-erase whiteboard to use as a message center.
Stairs can be tricky in multigenerational homes, especially if you have older relatives or family with mobility challenges. If this is the case, having at least one bedroom and a bathroom downstairs reduces the risk of injury. If you don’t have access to a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor, painting the banister a contrasting color to the wall makes it easier for people to go up and down the stairs. You can also tape adhesive LED strips on the stairs to add more light without burning a ton of energy.
Agreeing on styling and decor
Finding a way to compromise with others on style is never easy, so decorate common areas like the living room or family room in neutral ways that pleases everyone. Familiarizing the space with framed photos is a great way to make your house feel homey and comfortable for residents with memory loss or anxiety.
Sift through your things with your family members, agreeing on which personal items are best displayed and which belongings are best left in storage.
Privacy is key
Privacy is the most common issue when living with multiple family members of different ages. It is essential for everyone to have a little privacy, especially when you are sharing a space. If you have an extra room, rather than adding another office or a gym, consider making that space a room where residents can retreat for privacy.
If you have more of an open floor plan, look for areas to add pocket doors or even add a thick curtain to help create some separation.
Take advantage of the space you have
If your house includes a garage, a shed, or even a backyard, having those function as hangout places for kids or teenagers works well in eliminating noise complaints from adults.
Choosing where everyone sleeps should also be carefully considered. For instance, you should try to avoid placing grandparents in a bedroom next door to a kid’s or teenager’s bedroom. Instead, maybe the grandparents can stay in the basement or ground floor where they have access to the backyard and their personal space.
If you live in a single-level home and your budget allows, extend your home by adding another room and bath. Another option is an ADU (additional dwelling unit) in the backyard. Local zoning rules may vary and can impact ADUs, but they can also add value to a home, so speak about your options with your real estate agent to see what works best.
There are other ways to maximize your space, such as knocking down walls to create a more open floor plan that’s easier to navigate, giving everyone enough room to enjoy each other’s company without feeling crowded.
Make your house feel bigger by expanding your storage space. Customize your cabinets to reach the ceiling so you have more room for your things and organize your closets with a shelving system to make storing things more efficient.
If you aren’t interested or lack the resources to make these additions and prefer to move to a home with more available space, make sure to view homes built or designed with multigenerational living in mind. These homes are available, and if you work with a real estate agent in your area, you can find one that meets your and your family’s needs that stay within your budget. Speak with your agent about selling your home quickly in Honolulu and how to earn the best value for it in the process.
