Just like the price of real estate, it's likely that your family members increase too over the years. This probably means that you have a few different generations living in your home –– your ageing parents, your kids and maybe even their kids. People living with seniors and small kids know it isn't simple, but some home renovations can make it easier to accommodate these different generations. This guide equips you with certain considerations when working with building contractors to plan multi-generational home renovations.

Create Flexible Living Room Space

With so many people living in your home, you naturally need to accommodate for varied needs at different points, so it is important to make sure that your living room is as flexible as possible. For instance, make sure your furniture is high enough because senior parents may not be able to sit comfortably on low-base couches and chairs. You will also need to ensure that the furniture is within reach of your children, so be sure to accommodate all needs before finalising. When planning flooring layout, you'll want to ensure that it is slip resistant because both old and young people will find this hazardous. Flexibility is vital to making your living room comfortable for everyone at home.

Establish Multi-Level Kitchen Benchtops

Your kitchen is at the hub of everything you do in your home, so you'll ideally want your benchtops to be at multiple levels to cater to everyone in your multi-generational household. A good idea during home renovations is to install a large benchtop at multiple levels, so that everyone has enough space for preparing food. Your parents and children can sit down and prep food on lower levels, while you can stand and prep food on higher benchtop levels in your kitchen. You can also attach a lower level kitchen sink for your young kids and old parents.

Accommodate For Wheelchair Access

When planning home renovations, it's always a good idea to accommodate for wheelchair access –– even if your parents are fit now because you can never predict the future. Your ground floor should ideally be on a single level without any steps because this will enable seamless wheelchair movement. Your doors should also be wide enough to allow wheelchairs to pass through without any hassle. Your bathroom door and size should be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and caregiver inside.

When planning home renovations, consider these factors to create a multi-generational living space for the convenience of every member of your family.

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