The American household is evolving. Traditional family households
with parents and children have transformed into a mix of various generations.
The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the growth of multigenerational
households, including adults with so-called “boomerang” children living at home
after college, or aging parents living with them rather than in assisted living
facilities.
While each household has its personal reasons for opting for a
multigenerational structure, it’s a trend growing across cultures. One in five
Americans live in a multigenerational household, according to the Pew Research
Center, which defines multigenerational living as a home that includes two or
more adult generations, or including grandparents and grandchildren younger
than 25. As quarantine and social-distancing impacts continue, the number of
families choosing multigenerational living is poised to grow.
As the pandemic has shifted how a home functions in multiple
ways, more people are putting time into home improvement projects that help a
household function well for everyone who lives there. This is particularly
important for people transitioning to multigenerational households. Consider
three steps to help improve multigenerational living:
Step 1: Expand living space
When additional people are added to a household, it’s amazing how
what used to feel like ample space can suddenly seem very cramped. Space
becomes a premium and with lack of adequate space to read, watch TV or simply
sit and rest, home stress levels can rise fast. That’s why you may want to
consider ways to add common spaces, or transform the space you do have to
accommodate more people.
Finishing a basement is a smart option if you have the financial
means. You might also finish attic spaces or add a shed with seating and
electricity. Stylish room partitions or curtains can provide privacy and the
feeling of a room if you don’t have money to invest in a larger home
improvement project. Finally, consider refreshing outdoor spaces with seating
spots grouped throughout the yard to expand the property’s livable space and
encourage people to enjoy the outdoors.
Step 2: Add a bathroom without costly demolition
When the number of people increases in a home, the bathroom
becomes a hot commodity. Whether it’s to put a bathroom closer to an aging parent’s
bedroom or simply add a powder room in a nontraditional location to expand
resources, consider affordable options such as macerating toilets and drain
pumps. Above-floor plumbing options allow you to add a bathroom where no
conventional, below-floor plumbing exists, so there’s no need to break through
concrete floors and compromise a home’s integrity.
Step 3: Add and enhance entryways
With more people coming and going, entryways can become chaotic
places in a home. If possible, consider refining the entry points to
accommodate increased traffic and contain clutter. You may want to add benches
and cubbies for each household member’s personal items to help contain messes
and prevent tripping hazards. Proper lighting, stable hooks and grab bars are also
useful additions to accommodate multigenerational living.
Although you have a main entryway, you might also have other
points of entry such as from the garage, the side or back of the home.
By thinking strategically and making a few smart improvements, you
can update your home so that it is comfortable for many people for many years
to come.
Courtesy of Brandpoint