Returning to the Nest

Last week on the Cabinets & Designs blog we talked a bit about what to do with an empty nest once your kids leave the house. But these days, we all know that kids are also returning to the nest—after college, between career changes, and to take care of aging parents.

Are you readjusting to life under the same roof with your adult children? Are you a child who has moved back in with mom and dad? We wrote this week’s blog with you in mind.

Be Flexible

It is tempting—and easy—to fall back into the parent/child roles. But just as parents learn to enjoy the peace and quiet of a home after kids, children also become accustomed to being on their own and running their own lives. We also get used to doing things “our” way, so it is important to be patient when living with other adults—especially your own parents, or children—who do things a little differently.

Be Patient

As fun as living with our parents or children can be, there are bound to be disagreements. Set boundaries regarding things like chores, noise levels, entertaining, and even parking, to try to prevent disagreements before they start.

Be Practical

Is the living situation temporary? If so, it may not necessarily be a good idea to totally overhaul a childhood bedroom back to its original form. On the other hand, if a child is moving back in with a parent—or if a parent is moving in with an adult child and their family—a renovation may be in order to suit the new living situation. Here are some ideas for converting your home for a multi-generational family:

• In the kitchen: The kitchen is a space that can benefit from upgrades that make it more user-friendly for family members of all ages. Multi-level workspaces, flexible lighting, and even hardware can make a difference when upgrading a kitchen for older or younger residents.

• In the bath: Converting bathrooms for kids who are returning home may be as easy as a fresh coat of paint. If you are converting a bath for an aging parent, or a young grandchild, consider safety features like non-slip surfaces and shower seats.

• In the bedroom: Who is sleeping here? How long will they be staying? Do you need to convert a first-floor room into a bedroom for a parent who can no longer tackle a long flight of stairs? These are questions a professional designer can answer. Stop in to see us at Cabinets & Designs to help answer all of your questions about rebuilding that nest.