As featured in House & Home Magazine, Volume 26, Issue 2, July/August 2026.
As home prices rise and families look for smarter, more connected ways to live, many homeowners are creating dedicated living spaces for aging parents or adult children. At Gehman Design Remodeling, we have helped families navigate these transitions through thoughtful design that makes multi-generational living practical, comfortable and rewarding.
One of the first questions homeowners face is where an in-law suite should go. Every home is different, but several options can provide the privacy, accessibility and independence families need.
The First Floor: The Ideal Space for Aging in Place
For parents who have mobility concerns now or may develop them in the future, the main level is often the safest and most accessible choice.
A first-floor suite eliminates the need for stairs and allows loved ones to age comfortably in place. Features such as wider doorways, curbless showers, lever-style handles, comfort-height fixtures, improved lighting and non-slip flooring can make the space safer and easier to navigate.
Whether an existing room is converted or a new first-floor addition is built, the goal is to create independence while keeping loved ones close to the shared areas of the home.
Basement Suites: Privacy and Independence
While the first floor may be the preferred long-term solution for accessibility, a finished basement can work especially well for family members who value additional privacy and do not have mobility limitations.
Basements can provide enough room for a bedroom, private bathroom, sitting area and even a small kitchenette. The result can feel more like a private living space while still allowing family members to remain under one roof.
Transforming Underused Spaces
Many homes already contain spaces that can be reimagined as comfortable in-law suites.
Spare bedrooms, attics, lofts, enclosed porches and garages may all offer possibilities. With the right floor plan, structural improvements and finish selections, these areas can become a natural extension of the home rather than feeling like an afterthought.
ADUs and Guesthouses
For families looking for a balance between independence and connection, a guesthouse or accessory dwelling unit, commonly called an ADU, may be another option depending on local zoning requirements.
An ADU can give loved ones their own entrance, living space and amenities while keeping them just steps away from the main house. These spaces can work particularly well for long-term arrangements and may also add versatility and value to the property.
More Than an Investment
Adding an in-law suite is about much more than increasing square footage or property value. It is about creating a home that can adapt as your family’s needs change.
These spaces may eventually serve as guest rooms, home offices or, where permitted, rental spaces. But their greatest value can be much more personal: knowing that parents or other loved ones can age safely and comfortably while remaining close to family.
Thoughtful remodeling can create the right balance of privacy, independence and connection, allowing multiple generations to share a home without sacrificing the comfort that makes it feel like home.
This article is based on Gehman Design Remodeling’s Partner Profile, “Making Space for In-Laws,” published in House & Home Magazine, Volume 26, Issue 2, July/August 2026.