In may parts of the world, multi-generational living is a cultural family lifestyle, but historically in Melbourne, it hasn’t been the case. Well that’s when property affordability became challenging….
It is quite common for many families to support one another with multiple generations living under the same roof. It allows family members to either travel the world during their youth or provide more time to save for a bigger deposit and a better first home purchase.
Seeing three or more generations sharing a home certainly helps family members financially with shared living costs, but it also enables families to share childcare and elderly-care.
There are obvious benefits in a shared home, but it’s not without challenges. Many family members have varying lifestyles or different working patterns while others have different cleaning or cooking standards.
Here are some great tips on how to survive and thrive in a multi-generational home:
A multi-generational home – plan your living space
No matter how big your family residence, once it’s turned into a multi-generational home, the living space can quickly shrink. Most homes only have one kitchen, so setting up the pantry for each family is a good way to organise yourselves.
Some properties have two living areas. This is a great way to separate each other so things don’t feel overcrowded. If the home doesn’t have a second living area, perhaps considering the use of the garage to create space. Careful consideration is needed. Making modifications to a garage can require a permit, while street parking may also be an issue. If done correctly, the extra space is a great cheaper option. Having another fridge in the garage will also ensure that the kitchen isn’t filled with too many white goods. However adding a freezer or fridge to the laundry can also be quite useful.
Nominating a bathroom for each family is a great way to plan your living space. If there are school drop offs, this is really helpful way for everyone to be ready on time while not waking other family members in the house. If you have the financial capacity to renovate the home, adding an en-suite to another bedroom does wonders in providing some separation within the home. Designing the home correctly can also add value to the home.
Creating some private space is essential to providing longevity in a multi-generational house. Everyone needs some time alone to relax or be by themselves.
If the home has some elderly family members, take note in how it’s best suited to plan the living space. Having the elderly climbing daily stairs or tripping on something left on the floor can cause some awful circumstances. Therefore you may want to move them away from the main activity of the home, but also keeping them close in case they need help.
Establish household rules
Setting some rules is a way to keep peace within the household. Many family members will be in different life stages and employment. In fact, multi-generational living often occurs due to the fact one family member suffers a change of employment or unemployment. In these circumstances, some family members can’t contribute evenly to meet the cost of living, particularly the utilities or food.
Discussing each others circumstances and making family members aware of their situation will ensure everyone meets in the middle of an agreement. If someone is unable to help financially, perhaps they can compensate and help in other ways. There is no right answer. It is something that needs to be discussed before making the house into a multi-generational home.
Conflict is inevitable. Therefore set a plan to deal with issues
The more people in a home, the more likely conflict can occur. Having family members from various generations under one roof will obviously witness disagreements from time to time. For this reason setting a plan to deal with these issues will help maintain a peaceful environment.
Handling the conflict may differ from each household, but setting up rules will establish order within the home. If the household responsibilities were established equal, then a voting system may help resolve the issue. However a family that may be covering all of the financial responsibility may have the ultimate vote.
Multi-generational living is becoming very common. Keeping everyone happy can be very challenging. Discussing each problem immediately and communicating to all will help reduce conflict.
If you need help looking for a brand new home that can suit your multi-generational living needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We take your personal needs very seriously.
While we have taken care to ensure the information above is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances and legislation after the displayed date may impact the accuracy of this article. If you want to learn more, please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.
Dec 2019
