As multigenerational living becomes more popular in Singapore, families are experiencing both its benefits and challenges.
But what exactly is multigenerational living?
It’s when multiple generations—like grandparents, parents, and children—share the same home. While living together can strengthen bonds and share responsibilities, creating a home that works for everyone can be tricky. With some careful planning, you can design a space that’s comfortable and practical for all generations.
Here are some tips for designing a home that meets the needs of everyone in your family.
Understanding the Needs of Different Generations
Grandparents
- Accessibility: Make your multigenerational home easy for everyone to navigate by incorporating wider doorways and bathroom grab bars. Ensure storage is within easy reach, especially for grandparents who may have mobility issues, so they can access what they need without difficulty.
- Comfort: Design relaxing spaces with soft seating and good lighting to create a soothing environment for grandparents. Adding quiet corners where they can unwind will make them feel truly at home.
- Safety: Enhance safety with non-slip flooring and well-lit hallways to prevent accidents. Ensure clear pathways throughout the home so that older family members can move around confidently and without obstacles.
Parents
- Privacy: A thoughtfully designed multigenerational home should also include separate bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and dedicated workspaces to give parents the privacy they need. This ensures they have their own quiet retreat within the household.
- Functionality: Incorporate ample storage, a well-organised kitchen, and clearly defined play areas in your interior design to cater to the busy routines of parents. Efficient storage and layout solutions help maintain order while accommodating daily family life.
- Flexibility: Create versatile, multi-purpose rooms that can seamlessly adapt to different activities. Whether it’s a home office that doubles as a guest room or a playroom that transforms into a study area, flexibility is key to a dynamic and functional home environment.
Children
- Playful Spaces: In a multi-generation flat or landed house that includes children, it is important to design dedicated play zones using vibrant colours and durable materials that can withstand heavy use. These spaces should be both fun and safe for children.
- Safety: Implement childproofing measures such as rounded corners on furniture, outlet covers, and secured furnishings to ensure a safe environment.
- Growth and Development: Plan for spaces that can evolve as children grow, such as adjustable-height furniture or flexible play areas that can be repurposed as children age.
Design Tips for Multigenerational Living Challenges
Noise Control
One of the challenges of living in a multigenerational home is the noise, but there are effective solutions. Start using soundproofing materials for your walls and floors to minimise room noise.
Rugs, curtains, and cushions can help absorb sound and reduce disturbances. For a more tailored approach, create designated zones for noisy activities—like a vibrant playroom or an entertainment area—to keep the peace in quiet spaces.
Storage
Maximising storage is crucial, especially when living in a limited space like a flat shared with multiple generations. Add built-in cabinets, shelves, and drawers to your Singapore’s HDB interior design to maximise available space. Consider using tall bookcases and hanging organisers to take advantage of vertical space. You can also invest in furniture with hidden storage compartments for cleaner aesthetics to keep living areas clutter-free.
Flexible Layouts
Flexibility is key in a home where there are multiple generations living in the same household.
Use partitions, screens, or sliding doors to create versatile spaces that adapt to different needs, and choose furniture that can be easily moved and rearranged to fit various functions. Also, try to design rooms that can serve multiple purposes, such as a guest room that doubles as a home office, to enhance the functionality of your home.
Creating Shared Spaces That Work for Everyone
Living Areas
For shared living spaces, neutral colours and decor can create an inviting environment that appeals to multi-generation family members. You can provide a variety of seating choices to cater to various preferences and needs within the shared spaces. Another option is to create distinct areas for different activities, such as a reading nook, TV area, or game corner, so everyone has their own space within the shared living areas.
Dining Areas
When designing your dining area, choose a dining table that comfortably seats the entire family. Besides providing extra seating solutions so that everyone can dine in comfort, consider extendable options for larger gatherings.
Designing a multigenerational home in Singapore involves addressing the needs of all family members while promoting a harmonious living environment. You can maximise the available space at your HDB or landed house by incorporating thoughtful residential interior design that meets the diverse requirements of each member. Unlock the potential of your home with expert advice and customised solutions from Starry Homestead, Singapore’s award-winning interior design firm. Let us help you transform your space into a stylish and functional haven—schedule your personalised consultation today!
