Designing Accessible Homes: A Guide for Multi-Generational Living

It is becoming more common for modern families to accommodate multiple generations under one roof. For this setup to work for all of the people who are involved, it’s imperative that an accessible and convenient home design is used. Working with an experienced designer like Senso can ensure that you create an inclusive, adaptable, and comfortable space for everyone.

Understanding the Needs of Multi-Generational Families

Family members within a home of this type will typically have different needs based on their age and abilities. For example, children and young adults can get around from one level of the home to another with ease. However, elderly adults may find it more challenging to climb a flight of stairs or attempt to carry laundry upstairs or downstairs.

Designing a home should consider the different needs that everybody has right now. However, it should also consider whatever may happen in the future. It’s nice to have an accessible home that you can age in without feeling like major accommodations need to be made or that you may need to move. A household should inspire independence and safety.

The Key Principles of Designing Multi-Generational Homes

The floorplan of a multi-generational home should be a main focus during the planning stage. From there, smaller details can be addressed, such as the layout of each room, different accessibility features that will be included, design choices, multigenerational household demographics, etc. It’s ideal that a home of this sort is easy for people to move around in. Open spaces are a great idea, as they provide a lot of flexibility. You may want to consider things like access points. Are doors situated many steps up from ground level? If so, this might not be very accessible for everyone living in the residence. The goal is to include everyone in every part of the home, regardless of whether they will be primarily living in that area.

Also Read: What Should I Renovate First in an Older Home I Just Bought in Toronto?

Room-by-Room Guide to Designing a Multi-Generational Home

Let’s look at some practical tips that can help you determine if each room of your home will be accessible and functional for everyone thanks to a universal design.

Kitchens

Focus on the level of the countertops in your main kitchen area. They should be easy to reach for everyone and easy to get around. Cabinets shouldn’t be raised very high off the ground so that they require a step stool to access. Ample storage can be achieved with a walk-in pantry for a family-friendly design.

To avoid a kitchen feeling very cramped or small, make sure that you have enough square footage in this area. You may also want to incorporate different work spaces so that multiple people can cook and work in this area at one time without getting in one another’s way.

Make sure that you have enough seating in your kitchen area. You may want to incorporate a formal dining room into your home’s layout. However, it’s nice to allow people to eat and gather right in the main kitchen area as well. Consider having a large enough space for a table where multiple people can gather. You can also make the most of the space you have by including seating at an island or counter area.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms can be kept very basic to allow for flexibility. If you need to include accessible furniture or plan to incorporate these items at some point in your home renovations, make sure doors are wide enough for items to be brought in and out. An adaptive layout should allow privacy, plenty of space to move around in, level and open floor spaces, etc.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are an area of the home that can be challenging for older adults. Consider what kind of tub or shower you want to include. It’s ideal to have a walk-in unit that doesn’t require anyone to climb in or out of a deep tub. You may want to even consider including a roll-in shower in anticipation of someone needing to maneuver a wheelchair into the area at some point in time. Make sure the flooring you choose doesn’t promote slipping.

Living Areas

Stick to open layouts in your main living areas. This will allow you to purchase comfortable seating for everyone. Incorporate adaptable lighting so people can change the settings according to their needs and preferences.

Integrating Technology in Your Multi-Generational Home

There have been some impressive developments in technology that can transform a multi-generational home into a safe and convenient space. For example, smart home devices allow you to control things like your thermostat or blinds just using your voice. You can connect many of these devices to your smartphone, providing access and convenience from wherever you are. An emergency alert system can help you ensure that your elderly family members are safe, even if you’re at work or out of town.

It can be overwhelming to think about all of the different aspects of planning the design of a home. This can become more complicated by considering multiple generations under one roof. However, this process can become much simpler if you work with a knowledgeable and experienced design team like Senso Design. We help our clients create functional and adaptable spaces, ensuring that everyone’s needs are met.

We encourage you to reach out to our team if you would like to schedule a personalized consultation with someone from our team to find out more about multi-generational home renovation benefits. We would be happy to walk you through the process of multi-generational home design in Toronto, ensuring you don’t miss anything. Give us a call at 416-900-3675 or email our team at info@sensodesign.ca. You can also fill out the form on our website for more information. We look forward to working with you and your family.