Universal Design Features for Multigenerational Homes

With increasing financial strain and an aging boomer population, the number of multifamily homes is expected to continue growing. And whatever the reason for multigenerational households, one thing remains true for all of them: universal design can benefit every member of the household, regardless of age, size, or ability.

Universal design aims to make environments accessible and usable to the greatest number of people without requiring special adaptations. It can help seniors age in place, provide a safe environment for toddlers, and make spaces more functional for people with disabilities. These features enhance safety, comfort, and overall usability. In multigenerational households, universal design is especially valuable because it ensures that everyone can interact with and navigate the same space more easily.

We take a look at the features that help create living spaces that are accessible, adaptable, safe, and beneficial to every homeowner.

The Growing Number of Multigenerational Homes in the U.S.

In the last 10 years, the number of multigenerational households in the U.S. has increased by 10%. The chart shows this increase broken down by year. 

Year	Multigenerational households	Percentage of change (YoY)	Change (YoY)
2014	4,492,618	-	-
2015	4,554,060	1.37%	61,442
2016	4,608,043	1.19%	53,983
2017	4,609,083	0.02%	1,040
2018	4,604,114	-0.11%	-4,969
2019	4,669,234	1.41%	65,120
2020	4,703,227	0.73%	33,993
2021	4,858,205	3.30%	154,978
2022	4,827,067	-0.64%	-31,138
2023	4,947,043	2.49%	119,976

There are several causes of the increase in multigenerational living. These include: 

• Financial reasons: Many young adults are unable to afford to go out on their own upon graduation from their schooling. 

• Aging population: It means that many families take in aging parents who no longer wish to live on their own, or who are no longer capable of doing so. 

• Shared caregiving responsibility: The shared living model makes it easier to support young children.

• Preferences: According to the Family Matters report by Generations United, more than 98% of families who live in multigenerational households feel that this model works successfully for them, with most people reporting that they would continue living this way even after it is no longer necessary. 

The need for physical modifications or additional space is a common reality in multigenerational living, but these challenges can be easily addressed through targeted home improvements. Once they are dealt with, though, most families find that these types of living situations improve the quality of life for everyone involved. Below are some of the most common types of renovations and adaptations for universal design that may need to be done to modify a home for multigenerational living or to make a home more user-friendly for all involved. 

Aging in Place Remodeling

One of the benefits of multigenerational living is that it allows seniors to age in place, rather than needing to move to retirement homes, nursing homes, or other situations that would take them away from family and familiar surroundings. More than 75% of older adults (50+) agree they want to age in place. In order for some seniors to continue living at home, remodels are crucial for this to happen. And while many can be expensive, the alternatives, such as in-home help and health care, retirement homes, and nursing homes, are often more expensive as well as more disruptive. 

Another idea is to add an ADU or accessory dwelling unit onto your property. This can allow aging family members to be nearby, getting the benefits of having them near, without having to compromise on their or your child’s safety. The average cost of this type of “backyard cottage” is $56,000 to $180,000, provided you are zoned to add one. 

Average cost of aging in place home remodel: $3,000–$15,000

Aging in Place Bathroom Design

The bathroom is one of the most important areas of the home to modify for aging in place and universal design. It’s also one of the spaces where people are most vulnerable to injuries such as slips, falls, or scalds. Many universal design principles can make aging in place easier in the bathroom, including using universal-height toilets and sinks to reduce bending and stooping, and installing lever handles on faucets and shower valves to eliminate the need for grasping. Aging in place updates may also include adding grab bars, installing a walk-in shower or walk-in bathtub, increasing lighting, incorporating anti-slip flooring or mats, wide doorways, and adding anti-scald controls.

Average cost of aging in place bathroom remodel: $20 - $25,000

Aging in Place Kitchen Design

The kitchen is often the next most important place to modify for aging in place. As one of the most frequently used spaces in the home, updating it allows older family members to continue using it safely while maintaining independence. Many kitchens already have countertops at universal-height levels, but older kitchens may require adjustments, and wheelchair users may benefit from sections that are lowered. Many aging in place kitchen updates also align with universal design principles, such as using lever-style faucet handles, installing pulls instead of knobs on cabinet doors and drawers, and choosing a more shallow sink to reduce bending. Additional updates may include widening doorways, ensuring transitions between rooms are flush, and incorporating non-skid flooring or treatments to improve slip resistance. These adaptations help create a safer, more accessible kitchen environment for everyone.

Average cost of aging in place kitchen remodel: $8,000 - $50,000

Safe Mobility Design

Making sure that the space remains easy to navigate safely is a key part of aging in place design. As people age, many develop mobility or vision challenges. Removing or flattening thresholds can help eliminate trip hazards, while using high-contrast railings, stairs, or ramps can make the home safer and easier to move through. It’s also important to replace carpeting that is lifting or bunching and to secure or remove throw rugs to prevent trips. Increasing lighting and making it easy to use—through rocker switches or sensors—can further improve safety. For individuals at risk of falls, installing fall sensors can provide alerts to family members or professional help if needed, offering additional peace of mind and security.

Average cost of aging in place stairs remodel: $800 - $45,000

Low Maintenance Landscape Design 

If your home has a yard, there are some adaptations that can make it more accessible and lower in maintenance for those aging in place as well. Adding level paths, walkways, and no-step entries can make it easier for anyone to navigate, including seniors or family members with mobility issues or vision impairments. Widening and leveling walkways can cost between $500 and $5,000, depending on the walkway size and material. Replacing fast-growing grasses such as dwarf Fescue and shrubs with slower-growing or drought-resistant varieties can mean less mowing, watering, and weeding. This can save money over time, as well as the effort and maintenance that is required to keep the yard user-friendly. 

Average cost of landscaping: $8,000-$15,000

Disability Home Remodeling

Remodeling for disabled family members can often look similar to remodeling for aging in place. However, disabilities can be unique, and therefore so can your remodel. Universal design principles often make the home easier to navigate for many disabled persons, including those with mild to moderate mobility problems, those with vision impairments, and those that need a calmer, more open environment. However, in addition to universal design adaptations, there are often other, more specific modifications that need to be made to a home to make it the least restrictive environment for a person with disabilities to live in. 

A wheelchair user, for example, may need ramps to enter homes that have steps, with most ramp projects costing $1,700 to $5,000. Once inside, if the home is not a single level, elevators may be needed to allow the wheelchair user to have full access to the home. Elevators can cost $35,000 to $60,000 to add to an existing home.

Other types of projects may include high contrast painting and adding lighting for the visually impaired, as well as removing curbs and installing flat thresholds. For deaf or hard of hearing family members, flashing smoke alarms and door bells can be beneficial additions. Wheelchair users that are completely non-ambulatory or that need help from a caregiver may need even more adaptations to tubs or showers, as well as additions to bedrooms such as harnesses and lifts. Because these projects are so tailored to the user, it helps to use universal design as the base of the home, then to make changes as needed to increase the function of the space for those that need it. 

Average cost of disability remodel: $5,000 - $20,000

Childproofing Home

Another thing to consider in homes with multiple generations under one roof is the fact that young children often make up a large percentage of the residents. Childproofing is often necessary to keep young kids safe, but in a multigenerational household, it’s important that any childproofing not also make the home less accessible for seniors or disabled family members. Gates, doorknob covers, and cabinet locks can all be effective at keeping young children out of areas of the home. They can also be effective at keeping other family members out as well, which is not the goal.

Therefore, put some thought into the various childproofing projects that can make the home safer, without making it less functional. This can include using outlet covers that swing to one side, rather than needing to be removed to utilize a plug, as well as choosing furnishings with rounded corners, rather than sharp. Some things can also be used in universal design to make the space safer for young children as well as adults. These can include using anti-slip flooring or anti-slip mats in bathrooms and showers, and either lowering the water temperature at the heater or installing anti-scald devices on faucets. Securing furniture to a wall so it doesn’t tip also makes it safer for everyone in the home to use, regardless of physical abilities. 

Finally, with so many people under one roof, it is often common to add a space to the home just for children that can be made safe for them. This can include bedrooms or playrooms designed just for their needs. The average cost of a new bedroom addition is $20,000 to $120,000, depending on size and location.

Universal Home Design For Everyone

Universal design makes homes safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. By incorporating universal design elements from the start, you create a home that everyone can use and navigate safely and comfortably. It also becomes easier to make any additional needed modifications later to meet individual needs. Whether you are remodeling with an eye to the future, or you’re making your home more accessible for your multigenerational living situation, keep universal design tenets in mind as you go. This will help ensure that the space is comfortable, successful, and functional for everyone involved. 

FAQ

Yes. Multigenerational homes can be very beneficial because they allow families to share resources, provide support across generations, and reduce housing costs. They enable seniors to age in place, parents to care for young children more easily, and households to adapt to financial or lifestyle needs. Universal design features make these homes safer and more functional for everyone.

Some potential drawbacks include:

• Less privacy due to multiple generations sharing the same space.

• Need for home modifications, such as additional bathrooms or widened doorways, to accommodate everyone safely.

• Possible household conflicts from differing routines or lifestyles.

• Increased utility and maintenance costs.

A multigen house, or multigenerational house, is a home designed or adapted to accommodate multiple generations of a family under one roof. It typically includes separate living areas, private bedrooms, and shared common spaces, often with accessibility features like wider doorways, ramps, or separate kitchens to meet the needs of both older adults and children.

Methodology

Our analysis draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS 1-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) for the ten years (2014 - 2023, the latest data available). We used household-level data to identify which homes were multigenerational and to see how their numbers changed over time.

To understand long-term trends, we calculated year-over-year changes, overall percentage growth, and the total shift across the full 10-year period. This allowed us to measure both short-term fluctuations and sustained growth patterns. By comparing data across a full decade, we were able to identify how multigenerational living has evolved in the U.S.