Building a Custom Home for Multigenerational Living in North Carolina
Take these benefits and considerations into account as you build your multigenerational dream home.
As housing availability and the cost of living grows more unmanageable and the demands of work and family life begin to feel burdensome, a growing portion of people are choosing to consolidate their efforts and live as a multigenerational unit. However, most existing homes don’t provide the space and features necessary for sustainable and comfortable multigenerational living. One top solution? Building a custom home that’s suited to your family’s unique structure and needs. Learn about key considerations and steps for building a multigenerational home in North Carolina.
Benefits of Multigenerational Living
Choosing a multigenerational living arrangement offers emotional support and the benefit of sharing responsibilities instead of tackling all aspects of daily life alone. For example, many families enter into a multigenerational living situation when they begin having children. By having their own parent live in the same space, new parents can enjoy more flexibility and balance in their daily lives and new grandparents can bask in the joy of supporting their new family member’s upbringing.
In a similar vein, some families choose multigenerational living when an aging family member begins to require more support for daily activities due to physical constraints or health conditions. Simple considerations like sharing the load of cooking and having a healthy family member nearby in case of a fall or a health event can improve quality of life substantially and bridge the gap between a completely independent lifestyle and other solutions like assisted living. Situations like these can help promote stronger family bonds and ease the burden of difficult stages of life through the power of community and teamwork.
Another leading motivator for multigenerational living is the financial benefit this lifestyle choice can provide. Opting for a multigenerational home means cost savings for everyone since the mortgage, home insurance, utilities and maintenance expenses are all shared. This alleviated financial burden often means that families can be pickier about the home itself. It leaves room in the budget for family members to choose the features that matter most in their home, instead of settling for a home that meets their budget but lacks desired features.
Considerations for Multigenerational Custom Homes
Although there are many homes on the market with a surplus of bedrooms for the average family, many multigenerational living arrangements require a specific layout and unique considerations in a home. This prompts many families to opt for a custom home build in order to create a home that responds to their individual needs.
The most significant considerations for multigenerational custom homes are size and layout. These details are highly contingent upon the particular family, their motivations for living in a single home, and their future plans. For example, a couple who is choosing to move one of their mothers into their home before they begin having children might need to include:
A main home area with enough bedrooms for the number of children they plan to eventually have
A mother-in-law suite with its own simple kitchen, bedroom, and living area attached to the primary home
On the other hand, a middle-aged couple welcoming an aging family member to live with them might need:
A smaller main home with shared spaces accessible by wheelchair or walker
A wheelchair accessible mother-in-law suite with safety and accessibility features at every turn for smooth aging in place
The beauty of building a custom home is the ability to hand-select these details in response to the needs of each member of your multigenerational family.
Families building a multigenerational custom home must also account for spaces created for privacy for each family unit, as well as communal spaces where everyone can feel welcome and comfortable to spend time together. This balance of alone time and shared time is crucial in the long term for multigenerational living.
Finally, agreeing on the location and specific neighborhood is a key decision when building a multi-generational custom home in North Carolina. While many neighborhoods are more popular among one generation or another, there are also plenty of neighborhood options with amenities that appeal to a wide range of age groups. Looking for a mix of community events, great school districts, accessible parks and convenient shopping and dining opportunities can help please every family member.
Designing Your Multigenerational Home
Designing a custom home means making lots of impactful decisions. This can be overwhelming even for one person, and agreeing on features, budgets, and styles between many family members might sound difficult. Make a plan in advance and get clear about budgets and must-haves for all family members before you dive headfirst into the process.
Fortunately, Atmos leverages technology and professional expertise to make the custom building process as smooth as possible for every buyer. View renders as you go, consult with Project Managers, and leverage streamlined processes at every step of the way. Building custom doesn’t have to be stressful. Get started creating your multi-generational dream home with Atmos!
