Multigenerational Homes: The Next Trend?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were close to 5.1 million multigenerational households in the United States in 2010. That’s a 30 percent increase over the number of multigenerational households that existed in the previous decade.

Census Bureau figures point to the fact that a larger number of Asian and Hispanic families push that percentage higher because these families tend to care for extended families more than other cultural groups. But those aren’t the only factors influencing this trend.

Children graduating from high school aren’t moving out. And college graduates are returning home to live while they look for employment. Grandparents are living longer, and in more cases, these grandparents are living with their children and watching the grandchildren.

According to the Census Bureau it’s not just those at the lower end of the economic spectrum that are driving this trend—it’s happening on both sides of the spectrum.

So what does that mean for you if you’re considering building a new custom home or thinking about remodeling the home you’re currently in? Maybe you’re not in a situation where you have kids living at home at the same time that you have aging parents around. Or maybe you’re not in that situation now. Is it something you should think about?

Having several generations under one roof isn’t for everybody. And it might never be an option for you. But as this trend continues to grow, it may be something to keep in mind as you build or remodel. It could be something that the person looking to buy your home in the future will think is important. And as the cost for senior living facilities increases, the demand for homes that can accommodate multiple generations will increase as well.

What should you do about this? First of all, bear in mind that we’re builders and remodelers—not social forecasters. We don’t know if this trend will continue or not. But one thing you can do is talk to your architect, designer, or builder and get a sense for building or remodeling in such a way that your home could accommodate several generations. What would it take to create spaces that are separate, but connected? How difficult would it be to make allowances for more mature members of your family that won’t look out of place in the context of the rest of your home?

Is building or remodeling a home to make it multigenerational right for you? Maybe or maybe not. But it’s something that probably deserves a little thought.