The Multi-Generational Home Revolution: How Suffolk County Families Are Transforming Their Living Spaces in 2025
A quiet revolution is taking place in Suffolk County homes, and it’s reshaping how families think about living spaces. Today, 17% of homebuyers are choosing multi-generational homes — that’s when you buy a house with your parents, adult children, or even distant relatives. What makes that noteworthy is that 17% is actually the highest level ever recorded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
This isn’t just a temporary shift – it’s a fundamental change in how American families are choosing to live, driven by compelling economic and social factors that are particularly relevant to Long Island homeowners.
Why Multi-Generational Living is Surging in 2025
According to the latest data from NAR, cost savings are the main reason more people are choosing to live with family today. The rising cost of homeownership is making it harder for many people to afford a home on their own. In Suffolk County, where median home prices continue to climb, this trend makes perfect financial sense.
As of 2024, 1 in 4 homeowners are living in multigenerational households, according to Angi’s State of Home Spending survey. “With high interest rates, low housing inventory and shifts in how people live resulting from COVID-19, we’re seeing more people choosing to live in multigenerational homes,” says Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi.
But it’s not just about money. Another motive for the growth in multigenerational living: caregiving for elderly family members. In fact, the second most common reason for buying a multigenerational home is to take care of aging parents, the National Association of Realtors (NAR)’s “2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report” found (cost savings was the first).
The Renovation Challenge: Making One Home Work for Multiple Generations
The surge in multi-generational living is creating unprecedented demand for home renovations that can accommodate different age groups, lifestyles, and privacy needs under one roof. Suffolk County contractors are seeing increased requests for specific modifications that make shared living both comfortable and functional.
Among buyers, there’s an increased demand for larger homes and flexible layouts, including homes with separate living areas often referred to as a mother-daughter home. Other popular features are accessible bathrooms and first-floor bedrooms for aging relatives.
The key renovation elements that successful multi-generational homes incorporate include:
- Separate entrances: Creating independent access points allows family members to maintain autonomy while sharing the same property
- Accessible design features: Installing grab bars, wider doorways, and step-free showers ensures the home works for all mobility levels
- Flexible living spaces: Converting basements, adding in-law suites, or creating separate kitchenettes provides privacy when needed
- Sound insulation: Proper insulation between floors and walls helps maintain peace and quiet for different generations with varying schedules
- Updated electrical and plumbing: Additional bathrooms and upgraded electrical systems accommodate increased usage
The Suffolk County Advantage
Suffolk County’s diverse housing stock – from sprawling ranch homes to colonial-style houses with multiple levels – provides excellent foundations for multi-generational renovations. Many homes built in the 1950s and 1960s have the square footage and layout flexibility needed for successful conversions.
Local zoning regulations in many Suffolk County municipalities also support accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and in-law apartments, making it easier for families to create legal, separate living spaces within existing homes.
Financial Benefits Beyond Shared Costs
By combining incomes and sharing expenses like the mortgage, utility bills, and more, multi-generational living offers a way to overcome financial challenges that might otherwise put homeownership out of reach. For Suffolk County families, this could mean the difference between staying in the community they love or being priced out.
The renovation investment often pays dividends in multiple ways:
- Increased property value through additional living spaces
- Reduced individual housing costs for all family members
- Potential rental income if circumstances change
- Long-term care cost savings by keeping elderly family members at home
Planning Your Multi-Generational Renovation
Successfully renovating for multi-generational living requires careful planning and experienced contractors who understand the unique challenges involved. The project typically involves coordination between multiple trades – electrical, plumbing, framing, and finishing – to create cohesive living spaces that feel intentional rather than makeshift.
Working with a local contractor familiar with Suffolk County building codes and permit requirements is essential. Many multi-generational renovations require permits for electrical work, plumbing additions, and structural modifications.
For families considering this type of renovation, professional Home Remodeling in Patchogue, NY services can help navigate the complex planning process and ensure all modifications meet current building standards while maximizing both functionality and comfort.
The Future of Family Living
By the second half of 2025, growth is expected to accelerate, leading into what Todd described as a potential “Golden Age of Remodeling” in 2026-2027, with double-digit annual increases in remodeling activity. Multi-generational renovations are positioned to be a major driver of this growth.
Multigenerational living is on the rise in the U.S., driven by economic shifts, cultural influences, and a growing need for family support. Explore the benefits, challenges, and future of this evolving housing trend.
For Suffolk County families, the multi-generational home renovation trend represents more than just a practical solution to housing costs – it’s a return to extended family living that can strengthen bonds, provide mutual support, and create lasting value. As this trend continues to grow, the families who invest in thoughtful renovations today will be well-positioned for the future of family living.
Whether you’re considering bringing aging parents into your home, creating space for adult children, or planning for your own future needs, the multi-generational renovation trend offers a pathway to keep families together while maintaining the privacy and independence that modern living demands.