Multi-generation living means more than one adult generation (plus children) sharing a home. For many families, it’s no longer a temporary arrangement. Aging parents are moving in, adult children are staying longer, and families are planning for long-term care needs with an eye toward stability and value.
Over the last decade, these arrangements have grown rapidly. Three-generation households increased by 271% between 2011 and 2021, and today more than 1 in 4 Americans live in a multigenerational household. Roughly 17% of all home purchases are now multigenerational, the highest share ever recorded.
The reasons are practical:
- Rising home prices
- Higher living costs
- Cultural preferences for staying close
- Need to support aging parents without forcing disruptive moves later
With the right home plan, families can create a living arrangement that supports both togetherness and independence. You can give everyone a comfortable space, protect privacy, and plan for mobility or care needs down the road.
Why Multigenerational Living Is Rising, and What It Means for Home Design
The shift toward multigenerational living isn’t a trend at the edges of the market anymore. It’s a clear response to economic pressure, long-term care realities, and lifestyle preferences.
The Financial Side
Over a third of buyers (36%) say cost savings are their primary reason for choosing a multigenerational home. That’s a sharp rise from 15% in 2015. When housing costs outpace incomes, sharing a house becomes a logical solution. Shared mortgages and utilities stretch budgets further, and the savings often enable better long-term planning.
The Caregiving Side
A quarter of buyers (25%) purchase with the intention of caring for aging parents. Only about 1.3 million adults aged 65 and older live in nursing homes; most strongly prefer to remain in a home environment. But staying safely at home requires a supportive layout, and most existing homes aren’t designed for that level of mobility and privacy.
Aging in Place
According to a 2024 survey, 95% of adults aged 55 and older consider aging in place an important goal. Yet only one in three adults aged 50 to 80 says their home definitely has the features that would allow them to do so. That gap between what people hope for and what their homes can accommodate drives families toward multigenerational models that allow parents to remain close without sacrificing independence.
The question for most families isn’t whether to live together. It’s about designing a home that lets everyone live well without interfering with each other’s schedules, habits, or privacy needs.
Home Types and Floorplans That Work Well for Multigenerational Families
Certain layouts make multigenerational life far more comfortable from day one. The goal is to create natural separation where it matters and easy connection where it helps.
Main-Level Owner’s Suite with Secondary Upstairs Bedrooms
Two-story homes with the primary suite on the main level solve one of the biggest challenges of aging in place: stairs. A main-level suite places the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and main living areas all within a few steps. For aging parents, or anyone planning for their own mobility, that convenience matters.
The upper floor becomes a natural zone for younger adults or kids. Everyone stays close, but day-to-day noise and schedules feel separated.
Features that support long-term comfort here include an en-suite bath with space to convert to accessible features later, wider doors or the option to widen them, and room for a zero-threshold shower in the future.
This layout works well for families who may host aging parents temporarily or permanently, or for homeowners planning for their own long-term needs.
Dual-Suite or “Two Primary Suites” Floorplans
Dual-suite plans feature two private bedroom suites, often located at opposite ends of the main floor or on different levels. This is one of the cleanest ways to build independence into the design.
One suite serves as the homeowner’s space, while the other becomes an in-law suite or an adult child’s suite. Each has its own bathroom and, in some cases, a sitting area. When suites are separated by distance or floor level, sound transfer naturally drops, and daily routines don’t collide.
To make the secondary suite feel more self-sufficient, consider a first-floor location for mobility, a small coffee bar or mini-fridge, and additional storage so the occupant doesn’t rely on shared spaces.
For many families, the independence that a second suite provides is the deciding factor that makes multigenerational living feel sustainable.
In-Law Suites and Self-Contained Wings
An in-law suite adds a layer of privacy that works for nearly any multigenerational configuration. At a minimum, it includes a bedroom and bathroom. In many cases, it also has a small living room, a separate entrance, or even a kitchenette.
Common configurations range from a main-floor wing with bedroom, bath, and sitting room, to a basement apartment designed as a quiet retreat, to an above-garage suite with its own exterior access.
Thoughtful details make these suites comfortable for long-term living, such as, a separate thermostat for independent temperature control, soundproofed walls and ceilings, and direct outdoor access when possible.
These spaces allow aging parents or adult children to maintain autonomy while remaining connected to the main household.
Single-Story and Ranch-Style Homes
A single-story home is inherently accessible. With no stairs to manage, ranch-style plans remove one of the biggest barriers to comfortable aging in place. For multigenerational households, the ability to move freely from room to room without steps or tight corners is a major advantage.
Many ranch layouts naturally divide the home into two wings, one for the primary suite and one for secondary bedrooms. The open circulation and wider hallways typical of these homes support walkers, wheelchairs, strollers, and everyday movement.
Families planning to age in place for decades often choose this style for its simplicity and long-term practicality.
Flexible Bonus Spaces and Finished Basements
Flexible rooms help a home evolve as family needs change. A space that starts as a playroom may later become a teen hangout, then a quiet sitting room for a grandparent, and eventually a caregiver suite or home office.
Finished basements offer additional possibilities, like a semi-private living area, a quiet workspace, or a future apartment or guest suite.
Designing these spaces with adaptability in mind (ample outlets, easy access to plumbing, open layouts) makes future transitions easier and more cost-effective.
ADUs: A Smart Way for Seniors to Age in Place Near Family
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become one of the most practical solutions for multigenerational families. These small attached or detached living spaces sit on the same property as the main home but function as self-contained residences.
For seniors, ADUs offer the best of both worlds: independence and autonomy, with family close enough to support them when needed. For families, ADUs offer a predictable, one-time investment that is often far more affordable than years of assisted-living fees.
What an ADU Is and How It Fits Into a Multigenerational Plan
An ADU typically includes its own entrance, a kitchen or kitchenette, a full bath, and a living/sleeping area. ADUs can be attached to the main home, located above a garage, or built as a detached structure in the backyard. Because they’re separate, they give seniors privacy and dignity while keeping loved ones at a distance.
Families also appreciate the long-term versatility. After its initial use, an ADU can serve as a guest house, a home office, or a rental.
Why ADUs Appeal to Seniors and Their Families
Most seniors want to age in place, and a majority of adults (64%) would live in an ADU to stay close to someone while maintaining their own space. With 95% of adults aged 55 and older considering aging in place an important goal, ADUs bridge the gap between safety and autonomy.
Compare the one-time investment of building an ADU (often $100,000 to $360,000) with the ongoing annual costs of assisted living ($70,800) or nursing home care ($111,000 to $128,000). The financial case becomes clear quickly.
ADU Design Features for Aging in Place
Because ADUs are compact, every design decision matters. Features that support safety and accessibility include no-step entry, level slip-resistant flooring, wider doors and hallways (32 to 36″ doors; 40″+ walkways), a curbless walk-in shower with grab bars, a comfort-height toilet, and reinforcement for future grab bars, lever handles on doors and faucets, and bright, even lighting.
Smart-home features also help, such as voice-controlled lighting, smart thermostats, and emergency alert systems. These details support dignity and safety without making the space feel clinical.
Designing for All Ages Under One Roof
A well-designed multigenerational home balances mobility, privacy, safety, and everyday convenience. These considerations apply across the entire home, not just in dedicated suites.
Circulation, Entries, and Everyday Movement
At least one primary entrance should have a zero- or low-threshold design. Inside, wide hallways and doors make it easier for walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers to move.
Open floor plans help reduce tight corners and transitions. Many families value a simple “loop” between the kitchen, living area, and primary suite, a layout that allows for smooth movement without backtracking.
Bathrooms for Multigenerational Use
Bathrooms see the highest daily use, making accessible design particularly worthwhile here. Ideally, each generation has its own bathroom to preserve privacy and reduce morning congestion.
What’s worth prioritizing:
- Curbless showers
- Non-slip flooring
- Wide doorways
- Space for a wheelchair turning radius
- Accessible sinks and lever faucets
- Good lighting and ventilation
Designing at least one main-floor bathroom to be fully accessible from the start prevents costly remodels later.
Kitchens That Work for Multiple Cooks and Ages
A multigenerational kitchen should accommodate multiple people working simultaneously without crowding.
Helpful features include staggered counter heights, wide aisles, separate prep zones, pull-out drawers instead of deep cabinets, touchless or lever faucets, and appliances placed at comfortable heights.
A kitchen island with seating allows kids to do homework while meals are being prepared, and mobility devices still have room to pass through.
Safety for Children and Older Adults
Thoughtful safety planning helps prevent accidents and keeps the home comfortable for everyone.
For children, that means gates at stairs, secure storage for medications and cleaning supplies, covered outlets, and anchored furniture. For older adults, non-slip flooring, consistent lighting, minimal level changes, and clear pathways free of clutter make the biggest difference.
These features are easiest to incorporate during construction, not after the fact.
Privacy and Sound Control
Different generations keep different schedules. Sound control is one of the most overlooked, yet most impactful, design strategies.
Effective approaches include bedroom “zones” or wings separated by distance, sound-insulated walls and ceilings, solid-core interior doors, and thoughtful placement of bedrooms away from high-traffic areas.
These details keep the home peaceful even when daily routines don’t align.
Planning for the Future
A multigenerational home should serve the family well today while remaining adaptable for years to come.
Smart long-term planning includes designing rooms that can evolve (a nursery that becomes an office, then a grandparent’s room), installing structural features now such as blocking for future grab bars or wider doors that accommodate mobility devices, stacking closets to allow for a future elevator if needed, and planning for a future ADU or addition even if it’s not built immediately.
Families often start with grandparents in a main-level suite. Later, once care needs change, that suite becomes a guest room or teen space, and a different family member may move into a quieter area of the home. Flexibility increases the home’s lifespan and its value.
Is a Multigenerational Home Right for Your Family?
Designing for multigenerational living begins with understanding your family’s needs today and anticipating how they may change over time. A few questions can help clarify the right approach:
- Whose mobility or care needs are you planning around today?
- How likely is it that family members will move in or out in the next 5 to10 years?
- Would an ADU give your family the balance of independence and connection you want
- Which privacy or sound concerns matter most?
- Do you need a suite now, or just the ability to add one later?
The best multigenerational homes are the ones that make everyday life easier, calmer, and safer, not just for one person, but for everyone.
If you’re considering building or adapting a home for multigenerational living, now is the time to outline your must-haves. Review floor plans that include main-level suites, dual-suite options, or space for an ADU. Talk with a builder about which accessibility and privacy features will matter most over the next decade.
With thoughtful planning, a home can comfortably and practically support all generations for years to come.
