Hello World! Welcome Friends! Multi-generational homes are becoming increasingly commonplace. What defines a multi-generational home? Households, where three or more generations are cohabitating, will be defined as a multi-generational household. As you can imagine, this could potentially be a recipe for disaster- or is it? With the right home design and the proper preparations, living in a multi-generational home can be harmonious.
There are a few tips that can encourage a more harmonious environment, from separate entrances to hearing aids for better communication, in this article we up some tips so that everyone, in all generations, can get along just fine.
Tip 1: It’s All in the Planning
If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to plan and design your home, then the following will be applicable. However, even if you are not designing or renovating, you can still pick up some relevant tips.
Have a balance between communal areas for everyone to gather and private spaces. Private bedrooms and private bathrooms are important. If you are in the planning stages, design a home that has specific areas, most importantly bedrooms and bathrooms, for each generation.
Furthermore, designing the layout so that each generation has a dedicated floor or wing for themselves. For example, younger generations can enjoy the top floor and older generations can enjoy the lower floors for greater ease and comfort.
If privacy is important, then consider setting up separate entrances to offer each generation private access.
Consider making the kitchen, living area, and other communal areas into large, open-plan spaces. This will assist in all the family coming together, and avoid a feeling of being too overcrowded. Ensure that there is furniture in these communal areas that are perfect for all abilities and generations. Catering for every generation is key when it comes to a harmonious multi-generational home.
Tip 2. Incorporate Secondary Living Spaces
People need to have an area outside of the bedroom to hang out. While the main communal living spaces could serve this purpose, it could become overwhelming and a bit annoying if there are many people there. Having a secondary living space can be of great assistance, a sectioned off space on the patio or a secondary living space inside the house can be beneficial for those wanting to watch tv, movies, or play games or simply read a book. These secondary living spaces will go a long way towards helping create a happy environment in your multi-generational home.
Tip 3. Ensure Everyone Gets the Care they Need
The single most important thing for multi-generational homes? Respect the needs of everyone there. Older generations that are hard of hearing will need other people to respect that, and to pay careful attention to the way they communicate. Younger generations can sometimes require more privacy as they develop into adulthood, and that needs to be respected too. Everyone should have chores and responsibilities around the house, as this helps to make everyone feel responsible for the home and the environment and prevents all the daily tasks falling onto the shoulders of just one person.
Respect each other, and respect the need for privacy as well as the need for community and make time for genuine, heartfelt gatherings where everyone can bond.
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