As more Indiana families share a home across generations, the way we think about space, privacy, and home design is changing.
There are some things a house can offer that have nothing to do with square footage. A spare bedroom can become a place for a grandparent to stay, a finished basement can give an adult child a little independence while saving money, and a bonus room can evolve into a comfortable living space when a family’s needs change. In many Indiana households, homes are becoming less about having a space for each individual stage of life and more about creating a place where several generations can live together.
That makes September an especially fitting time to consider how our homes are changing. National Grandparents Day, celebrated in early September, offers an opportunity to recognize the grandparents who have helped shape our families while also reflecting on the increasingly important role they can play in our homes. Multigenerational living has become a growing consideration for families across the country, whether that means grandparents moving in with adult children, parents welcoming grown children back home, or several generations choosing to live together by design.
For many families, the decision is practical. Housing costs, caregiving responsibilities, changing family circumstances, and the desire to remain close can all make sharing a home an appealing option. The decision is also deeply personal, and multigenerational living can provide something that is increasingly difficult to find – proximity without sacrificing independence.
Rethinking What a Family Home Looks Like
A traditional home floor plan often assumes a straightforward arrangement wherein parents and children occupy the home together. Then children eventually move out and the house returns to being a space for one or two adults. Today, a home may need to accommodate a college graduate who is saving for a first home, a grandparent who wants to remain close to family, or an older relative who needs some assistance while still wanting a sense of privacy. Families may also find themselves combining households temporarily rather than permanently, making flexibility one of the most valuable characteristics a home can have.
That is why features such as separate entrances, additional bathrooms, first-floor bedrooms and flexible bonus rooms are becoming increasingly attractive in home buying decisions. An in-law suite with its own bathroom and entrance can create a greater sense of independence, and a finished basement can provide a separate living area for an adult child or visiting family member. Even a thoughtfully designed bonus room can give someone a place to work, relax, or sleep without making the entire household feel as though everyone is living in the same room.
The goal is not necessarily to create separate living spaces under one roof. In many cases, it is simply creating enough separation that everyone can maintain some privacy while still enjoying the benefits of being together.
What Should Indiana Homebuyers Look For?
For families considering multigenerational living, the best home may not be the one with the most bedrooms or the largest footprint. Instead, it may be a home that can adapt as the family changes.
A home with multiple gathering spaces can be particularly valuable. Having a family room where everyone can spend time together while also having another living area gives different generations the opportunity to follow their own routines. Additional bathrooms can make mornings considerably easier when several adults are sharing the same house, while a bedroom on the main level can be an important consideration for grandparents or other family members who may have difficulty navigating stairs.
Homebuyers should think beyond what a house offers today. Could an office become a bedroom? Could an unfinished space eventually become a comfortable living area? Is there room for an additional bathroom? Could a garage or other existing space be adapted in the future, subject to applicable requirements and approvals? These questions can be just as important as asking whether the kitchen has enough counter space.
Making an Existing Home Work
Not every family needs to move to accommodate multigenerational living, but on occasion, a few thoughtful changes can make an existing home significantly more functional and accommodating.
Creating a dedicated area for an older family member can be as simple as rearranging furniture, improving lighting, or establishing a more private sitting area. An underused office might become a comfortable bedroom, while a finished basement could provide a teenager with a greater sense of personal space.
Small improvements can also make a meaningful difference in accessibility and day-to-day comfort. Better lighting along stairways and hallways, easier-to-use door hardware, strategically placed seating and minimizing unnecessary obstacles can make a home more welcoming for family members of different ages and abilities. Larger accessibility changes may require professional design advice and careful attention to applicable building requirements and codes. Before starting a major renovation, homeowners should understand what permits, inspections, and code requirements may apply to the project.
The important point is that multigenerational living does not always require a dramatic renovation. Sometimes, it begins by looking at a familiar space differently and thinking about how it could serve the people who live there now.
The Home as a Place for Generations
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the multigenerational housing conversation has little to do with real estate at all. It is about time. Grandparents Day gives families a reason to celebrate the people who came before us, but it can also serve as a reminder of how quickly family circumstances change. The child who once needed a bedroom down the hall becomes an adult. The parent who once took care of everyone else may eventually need someone to help care for them. A guest room that once sat empty may suddenly become one of the most important rooms in the house. Homes must change with us.
For Indiana families considering multigenerational living, that may mean looking at homes through a different lens. Instead of asking only whether a property works for today, buyers can consider whether it can support the people and relationships that may matter tomorrow. The right home does not have to provide perfect separation or endless space. It simply needs to create enough flexibility, comfort and privacy for everyone to feel that they belong.
Because ultimately, the most successful multigenerational home is not defined by its number of bedrooms, its square footage or even its floor plan, it is defined by what happens inside it. That is what makes a house a home, and perhaps the greatest reason to celebrate both Grandparents Day and the families who continue to make room for one another.
