Multi-generational living has been picking up steam in the past few years as more and more younger adults move back in with their parents in their search for affordability. In fact, a recent STORAGECafé report found that as many as 32% of 18-to-34-year-olds camped in their parents’ living rooms as of 2020, as compared to 27% of them in 2007. Additionally, many multi-generational households are also formed as a result of children moving in with their parents to offer care as they navigate the challenges of ageing. In this context, the new household becomes central to the wellbeing of the entire family. Whether moving into an existing home or upgrading to gain extra space, changes to the living environment are necessary to make sure all the family members can enjoy enough space. 

As two or more families converge in a new household, you’ll find yourself having extra household items that simply can’t fit inside your new home. Whether it’s your grandmother’s furniture, an extra microwave or seasonal decorations, you can always turn to self storage to keep them until you can use them again. Many people use a 10x10 storage unit, but a 5x5 unit will suffice for seasonal decorations or sports gear. If you have bulkier items like furniture or appliances you should go for a larger unit like a 10x15. If, however, you’re unsure which unit size will best fit your needs, this storage unit size guide will help you determine which unit you should pick. 

Out of all the areas of a home, living rooms are the common areas where families spend most time in each other’s company. Which living room design is best suited for your extended family? Here are some different setups that multi-gen families can consider for their living rooms.

1. The Open Concept Living Room

If you live in a large multi-generational household, you could share a larger living room. Make it a more spacious area by embracing the open-concept design. Break down the wall dividing the dining room from the living room to create a sense of openness. Divide the living room into two spaces: a couch area for TV viewing and a quiet area with armchairs and a small coffee table for reading. That way, everyone’s needs are being met at the same time. For décor, go for upholstered furniture in neutral tones that can be easily changed for variety.

Ideally, apply the open-concept design to the first floor and have the older generation’s bedroom on the same level for ease of access. Additionally, the open-concept design makes it easier for grandma or grandpa to get around if they have to use a wheelchair. Make sure you invest in rugs for the open space you’ve created to reduce noise transference, which is common in high-traffic areas of the home.

2. The Dual-Purpose Living Room

If you have the choice to build your own multi-generational home or you just bought a home to accommodate your extended family, think of ways in which home areas can pull double duty. It’s always easy to convert a living room into a dining area, especially if you have extra room for a large table. Set it close to a wall and create a gallery wall with artwork made by family members. Display your kindergartener’s artwork next to grandma’s painting she did while taking up an art class. It will surely make for interesting conversations during dinnertime!

As far as decorating goes, create a living room area that responds to everyone’s needs and tastes. Add plenty of furniture that can host the entire family at the same time so you can spend quality time together. Be open to making changes to the décor as your mother or grandmother may have ideas of their own that could enrich the atmosphere of the room. 

3. The In-Law Living Room

If your home already has a basement or you’re planning to add one to your house plan, you can easily convert it into a separate dwelling if you wish to offer the older generation their own space. You could even add a separate entry for ease of access, and it might mean they don’t have to go up and down stairs.

Since the in-law suite might not fully dispose of all the space that the upstairs level does, make sure you make the most of the living room area, where people tend to spend most time. This type of living room is best suited for multipurpose furniture. Add a sofa that converts into a bed, a coffee table that can house books and magazines underneath, and an ottoman that provides extra seating and storage at the same time.

4. The Basement Living Room

If you reserve the first floor living room area for the older generation, you might want to use the basement as an additional living room for the younger ones. This is the prime spot for video games and movie streaming. Add enough seating areas if you plan on hosting parties and opt for comfort and neutral colors. Remember to make good use of multi-functional items such as a coffee table with storage underneath or a TV stand with shelves that can house board games or DVDs with video games. Additionally, install a home bar if you have the room to make it adult-friendly. Elevate it so it doesn’t take up too much space.

If you have the room, create a game room next to the living room for the younger generation to play pool and relax when they have friends over. 

5. The Retreat Living Room

If the first floor remains reserved for the older generation, you can always dedicate the second floor to your living space, assuming that you have the room. For a greater sense of privacy, turn a room into a living room area if it connects to a balcony so you can enjoy a day al fresco anytime you like. 

Create here a dedicated living room according to your own tastes, always keeping in mind functionality and aesthetics. Make the space inviting with an earthy-colored rug and an upholstered sofa in similar tones. Spruce up the walls with unconventional items such as straw hats and any other headgear from your collection as long as they jive with the color tones of the room. A small three-legged coffee table can help bring the room together. Regardless of the decorating choices, remember that the main purpose of the room is to meet your needs, so always keep this principle in mind when creating the living room layout.

6. The Addition Living Room

Whether you invited your parents to live with you or you moved in with them, you might discover that the new home might not have enough room for all members of the extended family. After deciding that living together in the existing circumstances is challenging, you can contemplate the idea of building an addition. Assess your budget and look into zoning regulations to decide whether building an addition is a feasible project.

Once you pass through all the building hurdles, think about the layout of the living room as you will likely be spending a lot of time in this space. Involve your family in deciding the paint color or whether you’d like to go for floral wallpaper if you’d like to add a pop of color to the space.

Depending on the size of the living room, pick the right size furniture. For instance, opt for a sofa with a desk or console attached to the back as a space-saving solution. Be proactive in terms of using every inch of the space.

7. The Casita Living Room

A “Casita” is Spanish for a cottage or smaller dwelling, which can become a second residence, unattached to the main house. It is a smaller setup, but the design is meant to be multifunctional. This is the perfect living arrangement for family members that want to be part of the multi-gen household but prefer to hold on to their independence.

The Casita living room will benefit from a reductionist design, meant to replicate the comforts of a regular home in a smaller space. Paint the walls bright white so that all the décor can really pop out. Use vibrantly colored pillows on the mantel or colorful decorations against the white backdrop of the walls. 

You can opt out of having a traditional sofa and instead just have two comfortable armchairs set close together. And if there’s a fireplace, you can place them in front of it to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, nothing spells cozy like sheepskin throws. Place them on the chair so you can keep warm while sitting and enjoying some downtime.  

8. The Outdoors “Living Room”

Whether your family goes for a common living room or you decide to live separately within the same household, you can always enjoy time together in the backyard when the weather allows it. Reap the benefits of a patio or a deck where you can barbecue while enjoying each other’s company. 

Author Bio: Mirela Mohan’s bio: Mirela is a creative writer for STORAGECafé. Mirela now covers a range of topics including real estate trends, lifestyle and economy. Contact Mirela at mirela.mohan@yardi.com.

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