Designing Multigenerational Luxury Homes

According to Census.gov, there were an estimated 4.8 million multigenerational households in the US in 2021. These households contain 26 million people – or 8.1% of the population.  This number is significant, as for much of the last seven decades, it has hovered around 3.7%, meaning that the number of Americans choosing to live in a multigeneration situation has more than doubled in a very short time. When designing luxury custom homes for multigenerational families, architects must understand the unique needs of each generation, whether flexibility, privacy, or accessibility.

Discussion: What Does a Multigenerational Family Need?

The first step to designing a truly multi-functional home that meets several generations’ needs is acknowledging the family unit’s diversity. Young children need safe spaces for play and to inspire their creativity and imagination. Teenagers crave private spaces that support independence. Adults typically look for functional spaces that are also beautiful and inviting, while their elderly loved ones require safety and accessibility.

Flexibility and adaptability are the keys to laying out a floor plan that meets all these needs. After all, each of the life stages mentioned above is just that – a stage. Children grow up (or more children are born), teens move out and then move back in again – and adults age. Thinking about how the home can adapt to the potential makeup of the evolving family dynamic allows homeowners to live in a space that invokes legacy, security, and belonging.

Designing Flexible Spaces in Multigenerational Homes

The design of a multigenerational luxury home must support the daily rhythm of life, both today and in the future. Consider rooms with walls that can move or expand for family gatherings – or create smaller spaces for intimate, cozy moments. Curate dual-function spaces that can perform two jobs, such as an executive office that doubles as a guest room or a dining area that the homeowner can transform into a child’s playroom when needed.

Innovative modular furniture and built-in storage solutions elevate the adaptability of multigenerational homes. Consider adjustable countertops in kitchens and bathrooms to accommodate diverse heights and abilities or living rooms with furniture that can be seamlessly rearranged or used to store away toys.

With thoughtful design, a multigenerational luxury home can easily transition between functions, enhancing the family’s lived experience and transforming the house from a simple residence to a living, breathing environment for its occupants.

Creating and Maintaining Privacy

Designing a luxury home for multigenerational living involves finding the perfect balance between communal and private spaces. Integrating private spaces within a shared environment requires nuanced design, providing a family member space for solitude amidst the chaos of daily family life. The challenge is to establish small sanctuaries without causing the overall home to feel disconnected. Bedrooms are private areas by design, and by adding en-suite bathrooms and adjacent office space, the bedroom can be a true oasis of privacy. 

Safety and Accessibility for All Family Members

Designing for accessibility is done for more than convenience—it creates an environment that encourages independence and community for all family members. Utilizing universal design principles guarantees that every area of the home can accommodate newly walking toddlers and seniors with mobility issues. This holistic approach to design incorporates wider doorways, flush flooring across thresholds, and even elevators. 

Bathrooms may be designed with walk-in showers and baths, adjustable height shower heads, and grab bars next to toilets. Remember, multigenerational design considers those with immediate and future mobility needs.

The Role of Technology in Multigenerational Living

Recently, technology has been thoroughly interwoven into our everyday lives to enhance comfort, convenience, and security. These smart home systems transform the residence into an intelligent and immersive space, accommodating the nuanced needs of every family member. Lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems adjust effortlessly to the preferences of all family members, controlled by a single voice or smartphone command.

Technology is essential in protecting the safety and well-being of generational family members. Intelligent security systems deliver peace of mind, and assistive technologies provide a layer of independence for seniors, enabling them to navigate their surroundings more easily.

CMSA Architects and Your Multigeneration Home

The architects at CMSA have been designing uniquely functional homes for families in the Sarasota area for over 30 years. We listen to and work with our clients to ensure that their residence not only meets all of their functional and practical needs but is beautiful as well.

Click here to view our recent projects, then call us for an initial consultation.