Kitchen & Bath Business April 2021 - 40

SPECIAL SECTION
DEFINING TODAY'S REQUESTS

Multigenerational Living
Thoughtfully meeting the pivoting needs of all ages
EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, households were
blending. Millennials saving up for their first
homes were moving back in with their parents,
and we were seeing the older generations reuniting with their adult children instead of choosing
assisted living or living alone in their own homes.
With the presence of COVID-19, students are
returning to the nest to learn virtually and avoid
living in dorms, and nursing homes and care facilities may not be the safest options for elderly
parents. It is now more common than ever to see
more than one generation - sometimes three and
maybe even four - living under the same roof.
So how are design professionals addressing this
new movement and taking into account the needs
of all ages? They are providing innovative solutions
to connect - and in some cases disconnect - these
different generations in the home and the spaces
in which they work, learn, play and live.

40
40-42_KBB_0421_SpecialSection.indd 40

ABOVE This kitchen by interior
design ﬁrm Laurence Carr
Inc. and architect Jordan
Rosenberg features two sinks
and a variety of work zones to
accommodate multiple users.
The island is large enough for
children to be sitting away
from the action and focusing
on projects and homework.
Photo credit: Kelly Marshall
Photography

By CHELSIE BUTLER

" I am finding that with more families being blended with multiple generations in one household,
there is a need for larger gathering spaces for them
to be together but also more confined areas for
everyone to be apart, " said Ebony Stephenson,
CLIPP, CAPS, owner of Newport News, Va.based Designs by Ebony LLC. " Not everyone
in one family has the same interests, watches the
same TV shows or even has the same schedules. "
Choosing eco-friendly and low-VOC materials
can benefit all ages living in a home, and everyone
loves the convenience of easy-to-clean, low-maintenance options like seamless countertops and
tile options with less grout. A seamless transition
between the indoors and outdoors is also high on
today's homeowner wish lists, and air purification
is also a must for the whole household - especially with all of the affordable choices available
to consumers.
" HEPA filters start at around $100 and can reduce all kinds of dust, viruses and bacteria in the
air, " said Dani Polidor,CKD,CBD,CLIPP,CAPS.
Blended households are also requesting improved soundproofing and insulation, as well as
outdoor areas, which translate into additional
living space and promote the wellness benefits
of getting some fresh air. More hands-free and
sanitary options are growing in popularity as well.
" Young or old, anything that can help improve
hygiene and/or has antimicrobial properties is a
win in our books, especially given today's heightened concerns about spreading germs, " said Jenn
Klaus, Ferguson, Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery's marketing manager for the showroom/
builder Northeast district. " Fixtures in living finishes like copper, brass and bronze are growing
in demand as they are proven to have inherent
properties that aid in the destruction of a range
of microorganisms. Stainless steel, which is traditionally used in medical
facilities for its easy-to-clean properties, will also be in demand because it
promotes a sense of sanitation and hygiene. "
THE NEED FOR PRIVACY AND MULTI-PURPOSE SPACES

Spending more time at home doing everything from working, learning,
exercising and preparing meals has created the need for more rooms to serve
several purposes. An office may transform into a workout space after hours,
and eating areas may also function as places for the kids to home school.
" Simply ensuring that there is a space for each person to get their needs
met is the first focus, " said Laurence Carr, Green AP, CEO and founder of
New York City-based Laurence Carr Inc., who suggests finding creative
ways to afford people privacy, like using room dividers and taking advantage
of outdoor spaces.
To address privacy issues with younger children, Stephenson says to use a
corner of the room for their learning purposes that does not have their sleeping area as their background.
" Not every child has the luxury of having their own room, so something as
simple as a curtain or privacy screen can help to divide the space, " she added.

/ APRIL 2021 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

3/22/21 4:48 PM

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Kitchen & Bath Business April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business April 2021