Designing for Togetherness: The Rise of Multi-Generational Living in Australia

Family dinner

As Australia grapples with a housing affordability crisis and a growing ageing population, a centuries-old tradition is re-emerging in modern form: multi-generational living. While long embraced across Asia and other cultures, this way of living is now taking root in Australian households — driven by practical necessity and shifting cultural values. 

At the Design Show 2025 in Melbourne, industry experts Jenni Woods, Program Leader of Interior Design at Collarts, and Suzy Annetta, founder and publisher of Design Anthology, offered powerful insights into the design and cultural considerations of creating homes that truly cater to multiple generations under one roof. 

Why Multi-Generational Living is Gaining Traction in Australia 

Australia has historically favoured nuclear family housing — detached homes designed for two parents and a couple of children. But rising property prices, longer life expectancies, and increased immigration from cultures that value close familial ties are prompting a shift. 

This living model offers far-reaching benefits: 

• Affordability: Pooling resources allows families to live in areas they may otherwise be priced out of. 

• Aging in Place: Elderly parents can remain in familiar environments with dignity and autonomy, avoiding the emotional and financial strain of aged care facilities. 

• Childcare and Support: Grandparents often provide essential childcare, while younger generations offer tech and mobility support to elders. 

• Stronger Family Bonds: Sharing space fosters emotional support and deeper intergenerational relationships. 

• Sustainability: Shared living reduces energy consumption and the need for duplicated resources.  

Designing Homes That Work for Everyone 

Multi-generational designed kitchen

Multi-generational living isn't about piling people into a house. When done well, it's about creating an ecosystem of spaces that balance togetherness and independence. 

Here are some key design strategies explored at the conference:  

1. Zoning is Key

The open-plan layout, once the hallmark of modern Australian homes, is being reconsidered. Post-COVID, the need for private zones became clear. 

• Zoned open plans are a smart compromise — spaces can be opened or closed off with hidden pocket doors, giving flexibility based on need. 

• Consider separate wings or levels to provide space for retreat and privacy.

2. People at the Centre of Design

Design should be deeply personal. It must reflect not just how people live, but who they are. 

• Understand each generation’s daily routine. 

• Tailor spaces to specific needs: quiet areas for elderly residents, flexible study/play areas for children, and work-from-home zones for adults. 

3. Privacy Without Isolation 

Multi-generational doesn’t mean living on top of each other. 

• Acoustic separation is essential. Avoid hard floors where possible and pay special attention to staircases, which can amplify sound. 

• Consider Jack & Jill bathrooms for shared use with privacy, especially in space-constrained homes. 

• Use dual master bedrooms — one upstairs, one down — to give autonomy to aging parents or adult children. 

4. Futureproofing 

Design for life stages, not just current needs. 

• Wide hallways and minimal steps support accessibility. 

• Incorporate multi-purpose rooms that can evolve over time — home office now, nursery later, teen retreat in the future. 

• Modular joinery can adapt to changing needs, and attic conversions offer extra space without expanding the home’s footprint. 

5. Kitchens as Communal Anchors 

In many cultures, the kitchen and dining area are where the family gathers. Multi-generational homes may require larger kitchens with enhanced flow. 

• Butler’s pantries can serve as a second kitchen, useful when dietary needs or schedules differ. 

• Think about multi-entry designs where families maintain a degree of separation but come together around meals. 

6. Smart Space Usage 

When space is limited, smart design shines. 

• Circulation areas like hallways can double as storage or display zones. 

• Combine functions — for instance, a guest bedroom that converts into a study. 

• Separate entrances may be desirable but are challenging in traditional layouts. A creative architect can provide solutions like dual-access zones. 

Many project builders are now designing with all the above factor in mind. See a great example of a floor plan for multi-generational home by G.J. Gardner. Note the 2 x Master Suites, large butler’s pantry to act as a second kitchen and multiple living areas. 

@gjgardeneraus – Monterey Intergenerational Home Design

A New Australian Normal? 

Multi-generational living is more than a response to housing pressures — it’s a return to something more human. It’s a model of resilience, support, and sustainability that reimagines what “home” can mean. As Jenni Woods and Suzy Annetta emphasized, good design makes this lifestyle not just feasible but truly enriching. 

It challenges architects and designers to think beyond cookie-cutter blueprints. And it asks families to have open conversations about needs, values, and long-term plans. 

In a time of social isolation and economic uncertainty, the multi-generational home could be the most modern choice of all. 

Interested in designing your own multi-generational space or retrofitting your current home? Look for architects and interior designers who specialize in adaptive living and have experience with intergenerational needs. A well-designed home today can serve your whole family for decades to come.