Something is shifting in how South Florida families think about home. Across Broward County — from Weston and Davie to Coral Springs and Pembroke Pines — more homeowners are no longer designing around one household. They’re designing around a whole family.
Multigenerational living means two or more adult generations sharing a home. This trend has grown steadily across the country. In fact, according to Pew Research, roughly 60 million Americans now live in multigenerational households. That number has more than doubled since the 1970s. In South Florida, housing costs keep rising. Moreover, family ties run deep across Latino, Caribbean, and South American communities. As a result, this shift feels natural here.
For most families, the question isn’t whether to live together. It’s how to do it well. That’s exactly where thoughtful home design makes all the difference.
Why Multigenerational Homes Are on the Rise in Broward County
Several clear forces are driving multigenerational living in South Florida in 2026. Each one points toward the same conclusion: families need homes that work for more than one generation.
Rising Housing Costs
South Florida is one of the priciest real estate markets in the country. Home prices in Broward County have stayed high, even as other markets have cooled. For that reason, many young adults find it hard to buy or rent on their own. Adult children finishing school or starting careers are often moving back home. In many cases, families are buying property together as a shared investment.
Aging Parents Choosing to Stay Near Family
Florida has long been a top spot for retirees. However, the pattern is changing. Instead of moving to a retirement community, many older parents now choose to live with or near their adult children. For families already settled in Broward County, adding an in-law suite or a casita can be a better option. It’s often more personal — and more budget-friendly — than a senior living facility.
Cultural Values
In South Florida’s diverse communities, multigenerational living isn’t a new trend. It’s a long-standing tradition. Many families of Latin American, Caribbean, Brazilian, and South Asian heritage have always kept extended family close. Designing a home to reflect that value — with privacy and dignity for every member — is often a deeply meaningful project.
The Post-Pandemic Rethink
Remote and hybrid work changed how families use their homes. Suddenly, the house needed to serve many purposes at once. Families that once thought a 3-bedroom home was enough are now rethinking their layout. They’re looking at square footage, privacy, and flow. Additionally, many are realizing that a well-designed home is worth the investment upfront.
What a Multigenerational Home Actually Looks Like
One Home, Many Ways to Design It
A multigenerational home isn’t simply a large house. It’s a home built with both separation and connection in mind. Each member of the household can live fully and independently. At the same time, they still share common spaces and daily life.
There is no single floor plan that works for every family. The right layout depends on your lot size, your budget, your family’s needs, and your local zoning rules. However, there are several common approaches that H Design Group USA uses across Broward County projects. Here’s a look at each one.
1. The Attached In-Law Suite
This is the most common starting point for Broward County families. An in-law suite is a private living area that connects to the main house. It typically includes a bedroom, bathroom, small kitchen, and sitting area. Importantly, it also has its own entrance.
Done well, an in-law suite doesn’t feel like a converted garage or an afterthought. Instead, it functions as a true apartment. It’s soundproofed from the main living areas. It includes accessibility features when needed. And it’s finished to match the quality of the rest of the home.
Key design considerations include:
- Separate exterior entrance for privacy and independence
- Soundproofing between shared walls, especially ceilings and floors
- ADA-accessible features: wider doorways, roll-in showers, grab bars, lower counters
- Dedicated HVAC zone for comfort and energy control
- Private outdoor space — even a small covered patio makes a significant difference
2. The Detached Guest House or Casita
For lots with enough space, a detached structure offers the highest level of privacy. South Florida’s warm climate and outdoor lifestyle make this option especially appealing. A standalone casita or guest cottage feels less like an extension of the main home. In fact, it feels more like its own small residence on the property.
In Broward County, detached structures are often tied to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules. These rules have changed in recent years. Therefore, it’s important to work with a team that knows local permitting. H Design Group USA handles all zoning, permitting, and code compliance for detached structures from the start.
3. The Full Custom Multigenerational Home
For families building from scratch — or taking on a full home renovation — a custom design is the most powerful choice. Rather than adjusting an existing layout, you design two or more complete living spaces within one structure.
For example, one option is a two-story home where the main family lives upstairs and grandparents have a fully equipped suite on the ground floor. Another option is a single-story plan with two wings connected by a shared living and dining area. The possibilities vary widely. However, the core design goal is always the same: privacy where it matters, and connection where family gathers.
4. The Flexible Bonus Room Conversion
Not every multigenerational project needs an addition. Many Broward County homes already have unused spaces. These include bonus rooms, over-garage suites, large formal dining rooms, or ground-floor offices. All of these can become private living quarters without adding to the home’s footprint.
A well-planned conversion can add a full bathroom, a small kitchen, a private entrance, and good storage. All of this fits within the home’s existing walls. As a result, this is often the fastest and most budget-friendly path to multigenerational readiness.
Designing for Accessibility: A Non-Negotiable in Multigenerational Homes
When designing for aging parents or grandparents, accessibility is not a luxury. It’s a smart, long-term investment in safety and daily comfort. The goal is not to make the home look clinical. Instead, it’s to build in features that work for every stage of life — without giving up beauty or style.
H Design Group USA integrates universal design principles into every multigenerational project. For example, common features include:
- Zero-threshold showers and curbless bathroom entrances
- Wider hallways and doorways (36 inches minimum) for wheelchair and walker clearance
- Lever-style door handles and faucets (easier for arthritic hands than knobs)
- Blocking installed in bathroom walls for future grab bar installation
- Non-slip flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways
- Single-floor living configurations that eliminate stair dependency
- Well-lit spaces with light switches at accessible heights
- Rocker-style electrical switches throughout
The best multigenerational designs grow with the family over time. That means planning for future needs — even when those needs aren’t urgent yet.
The South Florida Factor: What Makes These Designs Different Here
Designing a multigenerational home in Broward County comes with specific challenges. South Florida’s climate, building codes, and zoning rules all shape what works — and what doesn’t.
Hurricane-Resistant Construction
Any addition or new structure in Broward County must meet Florida Building Code standards for wind resistance. For multigenerational additions, this means impact-rated windows and doors. It also means properly anchored roof systems and construction methods built for hurricane season.
H Design Group USA builds to these standards on every project — not as an upgrade, but as the baseline. For clients adding in-law suites or detached guest structures, this means the addition is just as strong as the main home.
Outdoor Living Integration
South Florida’s year-round climate turns outdoor space into a true part of daily life. It’s not just a seasonal perk. In multigenerational designs, thoughtful outdoor planning creates shared spaces — a covered lanai, a pool deck, or an outdoor kitchen. At the same time, private patios or garden areas give each unit its own outdoor spot.
This approach lets the home feel connected and whole, rather than split into separate pieces.
Zoning and ADU Regulations
Broward County’s cities each have their own rules around accessory dwelling units and detached structures. Some are more flexible than others. For instance, some require specific setbacks, height limits, or added parking for detached buildings.
Navigating these rules is one of the biggest reasons to work with a local design-build team. H Design Group USA has deep experience with permitting across Broward County. As a result, we can tell you exactly what’s possible on your property before you spend a dollar on design.
Real Conversations We Have with Broward County Families
Every multigenerational project starts with a real conversation. We talk about how the family actually lives — not just what the floor plan should look like. Over the years, a few questions come up again and again.
“How do we give everyone privacy without the house feeling divided?”
The answer almost always comes down to three things: acoustics, separate entrances, and smart circulation. A home can be fully connected — sharing a foyer, a pool, a backyard. However, it can still give each unit real privacy, both sound and visual. The key is designing those transitions on purpose, not as an afterthought.
“We want to add a suite for my mom, but we might eventually need it for our kids too.”
Flexibility is at the heart of good multigenerational design. A suite that works for an aging parent today can work just as well for a college-age child or a live-in caregiver tomorrow. Therefore, the smartest designs make choices that serve multiple future needs — not just the one in front of you right now.
“What’s the return on investment?”
Multigenerational additions consistently add value in the South Florida market. An in-law suite or guest house adds functional square footage. It also widens buyer appeal when you sell. In some cases, it can even qualify as a rentable ADU — a real income source in a high-cost rental market. Furthermore, shared housing costs between family members add up to meaningful savings over time.
What the Design-Build Process Looks Like for a Multigenerational Project
At H Design Group USA, multigenerational projects follow the same design-build process as all our work. However, they get extra attention to the personal side of the project. Before we draw a single line, we spend time understanding how the family lives. We ask questions like:
- How often do generations interact versus need separation?
- Are there mobility or health considerations we should plan for now or in the future?
- What are the privacy priorities — acoustic, visual, or both?
- Will the suite eventually need to function independently (separate utilities, separate entrance for rental)?
- What is the realistic budget, and where does the family want to prioritize investment?
From there, our design team builds a concept that works with the existing home — its style, its structure, its site. We handle permitting, engineering, construction, and finish choices under one roof. As a result, there are fewer handoffs, fewer surprises, and a smoother process from start to finish.
Is a Multigenerational Home Right for Your Family?
Not sure if this is the right move for your household? Here are some signs it might be. If any of the following sounds familiar, a multigenerational home design conversation could be a great next step:
- An aging parent who currently lives alone and you’re concerned about their safety and wellbeing
- Adult children who have moved back home and need their own space within the household
- A growing family that needs more room but doesn’t want to leave a neighborhood they love
- A desire to reduce combined household expenses by sharing a home intelligently
- A property that has underutilized space — a large lot, a bonus room, an unused garage — that could become a private suite
The best multigenerational homes don’t feel like a compromise. They feel like homes that were built for real life — for families the way they actually are, not the way a standard floor plan assumes they should be.
| Ready to Design Your Multigenerational Home in South Florida?H Design Group USA specializes in custom homes and full-service remodeling throughout Broward County. Whether you need a complete in-law suite addition, a private guest wing, or a full custom home designed for every generation under your roof — our design-build team handles every detail, from concept to completion.Contact H Design Group USA today for a free consultation: www.hdesigngroupusa.com |