It is now becoming more common to find different generations of people living under the same roof. However, such a living arrangement can have several challenges in case the house design did not anticipate such an eventuality. This article discusses some ideas that can help you to describe the type of multi-generational home that your architect can design.
Have Multiple Master Suites
Your architect can design a home for you that has more than one master bedroom. For instance, one master bedroom can be on the ground floor while the second master bedroom can be located upstairs. Such a design should ensure that each master bedroom has its own bathroom. This can enable your parents to feel that their privacy isn't intruded upon even if they are residing in a shared home.
Create Versatile Living Areas
One of the challenges of several generations living under the same roof is the different uses to which each generation puts the available space. For instance, the kids may look at the living room as a place where they can play with their toys. However, those toys can pose a hazard to their frail grandparents.
The architect can design your home in such a way that the living spaces can serve different purposes at almost the same time. For instance, additional storage spaces can be provided so that kids' toys can be put away just before the elderly family members come to the living room to watch TV.
Avoid Room Customisation
A multi-generational home should have the ability to change in form and function as the needs of those who live in it change over time. For instance, a children's room should not be designed to be so small that it cannot serve the needs of someone who is in college. Similarly, a bathtub should not dominate the bathroom to the extent that it will be hard to adjust that bathroom later on when it needs to be made usable by a wheelchair-bound grandparent. Ask the architect to design your home in such a way that each room can easily be modified to address the evolving needs of family members as they go through the different stages of life.
It may not be easy for you to tell the architect what exactly he or she should include in that multi-generational house design. Just discuss your needs as clearly as you can, and he or she will use his or her training to work out the details of the house design that will address your needs.
