From dual suites to granny flats, these clever designs are helping Australian families live together comfortably.
Multi-generational living is on the rise in Australia. Surging house prices, cost-of-living pressures, the expense of childcare, ageing parents wanting to stay close, and adult children living at home longer have all shaped a new reality.
And this new reality is that more families are choosing to live together, across generations, under one roof.
The success of a multi-gen home often comes down to thoughtful layouts that balance privacy with connection.
Coral Homes’ Highlands 371Q offers flexible space for multi-generational living. Picture: Coral Homes
Well-designed homes aren’t just practical; they’re adaptable and financially resilient.
With the right layout, a home can expand and contract as life changes - supporting families across life stages, spanning young children to teenage retreats and spaces that comfortably welcome grandparents.
From flexible layouts to semi-independent wings to full dual-occupancy designs, these are the layouts builders say work best - and the small details that can make a big difference to the daily experience of intergenerational living.
Single-dwelling solutions
For households choosing to share a home, these single‑dwelling layouts provide practical solutions that blend connection with personal space.
Double ensuites (or “two main bedrooms”)
One of the simplest ways to support multi-generational living is by including more than one main bedroom.
Designs like G.J. Gardner Homes' Fremantle 310 place two generous suites at opposite ends of the home, giving adult children, grandparents or long-term guests autonomy while preserving shared family living areas.
G.J. Gardner Homes CEO Trent Gardner said families are increasingly planning ahead for this kind of arrangement.
“Parents building now with young families are expecting their children to live at home longer, planning ahead with multi-generational homes that will serve them for years to come, with a particular focus on separate bedroom areas and multiple living zones,” he said.
He added that these layouts often help families care for ageing parents and shifting family needs.
“These homes are adaptable and can be used for various purposes, accommodating different living arrangements over time.”
The Fremantle 310 by G.J. Gardner features suites at opposite ends, balancing autonomy with shared family spaces. Picture: realestate.com.au
Flexi layouts
For many families, the ideal multi-generational home is one that can shift and stretch.
Flexible zoning has become a standout feature of integrated multi-generational design, allowing rooms to open up or close off as needed.
Sliding doors, cavity sliders and movable partitions let living areas function as one shared space or break into smaller, more private zones.
Henley Homes' national design manager Jeff Bugeja said flexi layouts are all about adaptability.
“It’s spaces that can change as life changes – a study that becomes a bedroom, or a playroom that evolves into a home office," he said.
"We also include extra living zones and options like ensuites or semi-private areas for extended family.”
That flexibility is increasingly in demand.
“Separation of space is a key consideration,” Mr Bugeja adds.
“Families are looking for spaces that can adapt to their needs – whether that’s a quiet home office, a kids’ activity zone, prayer room, or a multipurpose room that can shift with the seasons of life.”
To meet this demand, Henley has introduced a new sub-range within its Mainvue collection, designed for larger, evolving households, with many designs featuring ensuites to every bedroom, generous voids and five or more bedrooms.
Separate floor
In double-storey or split-level homes, one generation can comfortably occupy an entire floor, creating natural zoning without altering the overall footprint of the home.
In new townhomes, an upper floor with its own bedrooms and bathrooms is ideal for multi-generational living. Picture: realestate.com.au
In new townhomes like Wembley Hill in Box Hill, an upper level with its own bedrooms and bathrooms can work beautifully for teenagers or adult children seeking independence, while a ground-floor suite suits grandparents or anyone who prefers fewer stairs.
When available, floor separation offers privacy with proximity within a single dwelling.
Separate living quarters
Another increasingly popular layout is a private wing within the home - still under the same roof, but functioning semi-independently.
Designs like Summit Homes' Mahogany include a dedicated suite positioned away from the main living areas, giving a parent, grandparent or adult child their own quiet zone while staying connected to daily family life.
Coral Homes takes a similar approach with the Highlands 371Q, where a flexible rumpus space can be tailored in a teenagers’ retreat, grandparents suite or a comfortable living area for extended family.
The Highlands 371Q includes a versatile rumpus room, perfect for multi-generational living. Picture: Coral Homes
“The Highlands 371Q delivers genuine multi-generational flexibility,” Coral Homes sales manager Brad Richardson said.
"It allows for seamless connection to the main home while also providing the option of a private, self-contained entry - ideal for multi-generational living, independent family members, or guest accommodation.”
As affordability tightens, Coral is seeing more families embrace this arrangement.
“By pooling resources, clients are often able to achieve a higher-quality home design and a better overall lifestyle outcome than if they were to build separately," Mr Richardson adds.
Dual occupancy solutions
For families wanting a higher level of independence – and flexibility for future rental income, subject to state laws - dual-occupancy layouts offer the strongest separation.
Mirrored layouts
When no one is quite ready to downsize, mirrored or ‘side-by-side’ layouts allow two households to live together while maintaining full autonomy.
The Essendon 400 by G.J. Gardner features a mirrored layout. Picture: realestate.com.au
G.J. Gardner’s Essendon 400 offers two self-contained homes under one roofline, each with its own entry, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Families stay close without the compromises of shared internal spaces.
This model also offers future flexibility: in some states, if the second dwelling isn’t needed for family use, it may be eligible to rent - providing financial breathing room as circumstances evolve.
Granny flats
Attached or detached granny flats, like the Granny Flat Two by McDonald Jones Homes remain a popular multi-generational option.
They provide a compact but complete living space with a bedroom, ensuite, kitchenette and small living area – ideal for grandparents, young adults or short-term independence.
Granny flats can also be can be a gentle way to trial multi-generational living without changing the main home’s floorplan although builders emphasise they can come with more complex council requirements.
The small things (that make a big difference)
Beyond floorplans, builders say subtle design decisions often determine whether a multi-generational home truly works.
Acoustic separation between living zones, generous storage, additional power points and data outlets all help shared households function smoothly day to day.
Easy access to alfresco areas supports shared gatherings, while good natural light and thoughtful sightlines (particularly in semi-independent zones) prevent spaces from feeling isolated.
Above all, successful designs protect the heart of the home, ensuring everyone still has a central place to come together.
Are you looking for the right home design? Check out our New Homes section.
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