The key to making it work? Building a multi generational home that’s designed for real life from the start. You don’t necessarily need a purpose-built multi generational home design with separate wings and dual kitchens. For many families, the difference between a home that works and one that doesn’t comes down to practical features. Making sure there are enough bathrooms, planning smart storage, bedrooms that feel like private retreats, and open plan living spaces that bring the whole family together.
WOW Homes offers a range of home designs with the space and flexibility that multi generational families need. This guide covers what to look for, which features matter most, and which designs suit multi generational living in Perth.
Why Multi-Generational Living is on the Rise in Perth
Multi generational living offers practical benefits that are hard to ignore, and it’s no surprise the trend is accelerating across Perth and the rest of Australia.
Financial pressures are a major driver. Perth’s property market has seen significant growth in recent years, and rising house prices are making it harder for young adults and first home buyers to get into the market on their own. Pooling resources across generations, whether through a shared house and land package or a joint mortgage, makes home ownership more achievable.
Families want to keep aging parents close. Many families prefer to care for older family members at home rather than relying on aged care facilities. Having grandparents under the same roof means they can age in place with dignity, surrounded by family, while avoiding the cost and emotional toll of residential care.
Shared living saves money across the board. When multiple generations share a home, everyday costs drop. Mortgage repayments, utilities, groceries, and even childcare can be split, freeing up thousands of dollars each year for every family member.
Family connection gets stronger. Daily interaction between grandparents, parents, and children strengthens relationships and creates built-in support networks. Grandparents help with school pickups. Parents share the mental load. Kids grow up with a deeper sense of family life. It’s a living arrangement that benefits everyone.
What to Look for When Building a Multi-Generational Home
You don’t need a traditional granny flat or self-contained wing to live comfortably across generations. What matters is choosing a floor plan with the right combination of everyday features that give everyone their own space, privacy, and comfort. Here’s what to prioritise when reviewing multi generational house plans.
Enough Bathrooms (2.5 Minimum)
When multiple generations are living under the same roof, bathroom access is one of the first pressure points. Morning routines with four, five, or six people and only one shared bathroom will test any family’s patience.
A master ensuite, a family bathroom, and at least a powder room is the minimum for comfortable daily life. For homes housing extended family members across different age groups, 2.5 bathrooms should be the baseline. Many WOW Homes designs come standard with this configuration, so you won’t need to upgrade or customise to get it right.
Bedrooms with Built-In Robes
Every bedroom in a multigenerational house should feel like a proper private space, not just a spare room with a bed. Built-in robes are essential for giving each family member their own storage and personal space. When grandparents or adult children are living long term, a bedroom with a built-in robe and enough room for a desk or reading chair makes a big difference to everyday comfort.
Designs like The Solaris (five bedrooms) and The Fitzroy (four bedrooms with generous room sizes) are good examples of homes where every bedroom is fully appointed and designed to function as a genuine private retreat.
Open Plan Living Spaces
The heart of any multi generational home is the shared living space. Open plan kitchen, dining, and family living areas allow everyone to come together naturally, whether it’s cooking dinner, helping kids with homework, or just spending time in the same room. Creating spaces that feel warm and communal is what makes multigenerational living work on a day to day basis.
At the same time, a good open plan layout still allows people to be in the same space without being on top of each other. Look for designs where the kitchen, dining, and lounge flow together but have enough room to feel comfortable with a full house. The Andromeda is a great example, with a well-zoned open plan living area that connects family living without feeling cramped.
Storage and a Double Garage
More people means more stuff. A double car garage with built-in storage is essential for multi generational families. Beyond cars, the garage becomes overflow storage for sporting equipment, tools, seasonal items, and mobility aids for older family members.
Inside the home, look for designs that include linen cupboards, a separate laundry with storage, pantry space in the kitchen, and hallway cupboards. These details don’t always make the highlight reel, but they’re the difference between a family home that functions smoothly and one that feels cluttered from day one.
Flexible Rooms (Theatre, Study, Activity)
A theatre room, study, or activity room gives multi generational families a critical third space beyond bedrooms and the main living area. It can be a quiet retreat for grandparents during the day, a homework zone for kids in the afternoon, or a second lounge for young adults in the evening. These flexible rooms are what turn shared living into comfortable living for every generation.
The Solaris includes a dedicated home theatre that functions perfectly as this kind of flexible room. You can also explore the best WOW Homes floor plans for family living for more options with bonus rooms and activity areas.
WOW Homes Designs That Suit Multi-Generational Living
While WOW Homes doesn’t offer a dedicated “multi-gen” product line, several multi generational home designs in the range have exactly the features that multigenerational families need. Here are three that stand out.
The Solaris (5 bed, 2 bath, theatre)
The largest design in the WOW Homes range. Five bedrooms give every family member their own space, the home theatre provides a dedicated second living zone for when different generations want to do their own thing, and the spacious master suite with dual walk-in robes and a private ensuite gives the main couple genuine separation from the rest of the home. If you’re building for multiple generations living together long term, The Solaris is the standout choice.
The Fitzroy (4 bed, 2 bath)
Four generously sized bedrooms including a luxurious master suite with a private ensuite and two walk-in robes. A strong option for families of three to five who want each bedroom to feel substantial rather than squeezed. The Fitzroy gives everyone private space without compromising on shared living areas.
The Andromeda (4 bed, 2 bath)
What makes The Andromeda particularly well suited to multi generational living is its layout. The master bedroom sits in its own wing at the rear of the home, separate from the other bedrooms. This natural zoning means the main couple has genuine privacy from other family members, while the remaining bedrooms are grouped together closer to the shared living areas. It’s a floor plan that balances family connection with personal space.
Not sure which design suits your family? Browse all WOW Homes designs or get in touch to talk through your needs with the team.
Tips for Making Multi-Generational Living Work
Building the right home is step one. Making the living arrangements work day to day takes a little planning too. Here are a few practical tips for multi generational families.
Set boundaries early. Before anyone moves in, agree on how shared spaces will be used, daily routines and schedules, and responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and maintenance. Clear expectations from the start prevent tension down the track.
Think about accessibility from the start. Even if no one needs it right now, features like ground floor bedrooms, wider doorways, and step-free entries future-proof the home for aging parents and older family members. It’s far easier and cheaper to build these in from the beginning than to retrofit later.
Keep finances transparent. Agree upfront on how mortgage repayments, bills, and shared household expenses are split. Financial pressures are one of the most common friction points in multigenerational living, and clarity from the start goes a long way.
Design for your lifestyle, not a trend. Choose features based on how your family actually lives day to day, not based on what looks good in a display home. If your family values quiet evenings, prioritise separate living areas. If you love big family dinners, invest in the open plan kitchen. The right home builders will help you match the design to your family life. WOW Homes’ guide to choosing a floor plan is a great starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a multi-generational home?
A multi generational home is a home designed to comfortably house two or more generations of the same family under one roof. This could mean grandparents living with their adult children and grandchildren, or adult siblings sharing a home with their parents. The key is having enough bedrooms, bathrooms, storage, and shared living space to give everyone comfort and privacy. It’s different from a traditional granny flat setup because the whole family shares the main home rather than living in separate dwellings.
Do I need a granny flat for multi-generational living?
Not necessarily. While granny flats or self-contained wings work well for some families, many multigenerational families function perfectly in a well-designed family home with enough bedrooms (ideally four or five), at least 2.5 bathrooms, built-in storage, and flexible rooms like a theatre or study. The right floor plan can give every family member the space they need without a separate dwelling. It comes down to how much private space each generation needs.
Can WOW Homes build a multi-generational home?
While WOW Homes doesn’t offer a dedicated “multi-gen” product line, several designs in the range are well suited to multi generational living. Homes like The Solaris (5 bed), The Fitzroy (4 bed), and The Andromeda (4 bed) offer the space, storage, and layout flexibility that extended family members need. Paired with a house and land package in one of Perth’s growing suburbs, these designs make building for multiple generations both achievable and affordable.
Build a Home That Works for Your Whole Family
Building a multi generational home in Perth doesn’t have to mean a custom, architect-designed project with a massive budget. With the right floor plan and the right features, including enough bathrooms, bedrooms that double as private retreats, open plan shared spaces, smart storage, and flexible rooms, you can create a home that works beautifully for every generation under the same roof.
WOW Homes offers designs with these features across Perth’s most popular suburbs, and the team can help you find the right fit for your family. Explore the full range of home designs, browse house and land packages across Perth, or get in touch with the WOW Homes team to start the conversation.
You can also learn more about why families choose WOW Homes as their home builders.