Nicole and Patrick bought their own home. Then they found something better

As an adult, the thought of your own family living with your parents or in-laws might trigger visions of boundaryless chaos and familial tension, Everybody Loves Raymond-style.

But for 37-year-old Sydney woman Nicole Zeait, her husband Patrick, and their two children, that living arrangement works perfectly.

Nicole was already living with her parents, Mick and Therese, when her husband moved into their Yagoona home in 2019. The couple’s two children, Roman and Jude, joined the multigenerational household in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

Originally, the decision to live with Nicole’s parents was practical and temporary.

“We purchased our own property in 2019 with plans to [knock down the existing property and build a new home]. Moving in with my parents was a conscious decision to help us save and set ourselves up properly,” Nicole said.

Unfortunately, they faced a hurdle. “We lodged plans to build in 2020, but when COVID hit, those plans were put on hold,” Nicole said. “Since then, we’ve had great tenants, so there hasn’t been any urgency to move them on.”

Amid the housing affordability challenge, multigenerational or intergenerational living – when people from two or more generations of a family live together in the same household or on the same property – is increasingly common across Australia, ABS data show.

“Between 2016 and 2021, the ABS census found that people aged 25 to 34, living with their parents, increased by 16 per cent,” said head of development from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), Tom Alves.

While there is limited data on multigenerational living, Alves said anecdotally he has noticed “a swing in that direction”, with difficulty accessing housing and its affordability among the catalysts.

“The declining affordability of housing is definitely a major driver, and as people try to save for home ownership, being able to share the load can help,” he said.

Director of planning and infrastructure economics at KPMG, Terry Rawnsley, said that “sharing the load” can not only help save for a house deposit, but can also be financially beneficial in other ways.

“You might just have two people’s names on the mortgage, the grandparent chipping in with expenses, a cousin chipping in with the bills, so it’s diversifying the income streams for those homes as well,” he said.

But as many migrants and First Nations families who have lived in multigenerational households for centuries will attest, this arrangement offers a range of other benefits.

“You’ve got your family and loved ones around you; there might be some childcare-sharing going on. You can go to work and leave your kids with grandma, for example.”

Australia’s ageing population also makes this set-up desirable.

“We are definitely hearing more and more about multigenerational living happening for this reason,” Rawnsley said.

“You’ve got older people who maybe can’t get into aged care, aren’t ready for aged care, and you’ve got the sort of mostly Generation Xers who are their children who have the homes that can accommodate this.”

The growth of multigenerational living in Australia isn’t just influencing what Australian households look like, but also housing design.

According to the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026 – which examines economic and design trends in home design – multigenerational living is one of four lifestyle trends shaping the way Aussie homes are designed. The report outlines agile zoning, multi-use layouts, and inclusive design – design that supports mobility and ageing – as components.

Neil Hipwell, founder of Sydney design and construction company FutureFlip, said he has observed an increase in demand for these features and, more broadly, for multigenerational living among his clientele.

“It’s no longer a niche request or an asterisk … we’re increasingly designing homes that allow families to live together while still maintaining independence and privacy,” he said.

“From a construction perspective, we’re incorporating features such as separate wings or clearly defined zones within the home, secondary living areas to allow independent day-to-day living, more bedrooms with en suites and attached studios or self-contained areas.”

Another key feature of effective multigenerational design is having the “long view in mind”, said Simon Clark, founder and director of Sustainable Homes Melbourne.

“That means no unnecessary steps, wider doorways, bathrooms that can adapt,” he said.

“You don’t want to build something beautiful today and then find in 10 years it doesn’t work for someone who needs a frame or a wheelchair.”

For those in existing residences, or for those like Nicole and Patrick, who are relocating into a parent’s or family member’s home, renovations, upgrades, or adjustments can be necessary.

“[We had to] reorganise spaces, make room for additional furniture, and ensure everyone had their own area,” Mick Yarak, Nicole’s dad, said.

“Nothing major structurally, but it did require some planning to make it comfortable.”

The living arrangement also meant changes to each family member’s lifestyle.

“It was an adjustment at first, going from a quieter home to a much busier one,” said Mick.

“But over time, it became the new normal and brought a lot of life into the house.”

To navigate these challenges, Mick and Nicole say that communication is key.

“Setting expectations early around space, responsibilities and boundaries makes a big difference,” said Nicole.

As well as being able to use the property they purchased in 2019 as an investment, Nicole said that changes in their circumstances have also contributed to her family’s decision to stay.

“Over the last few years, my dad’s health has also deteriorated, which has been another important factor,” she said.

“Being close has allowed us to support him and be more present as a family.”

Support for all the family has been the greatest benefit of living under one roof, Nicole and Mick agree.

“Having the family together is the biggest positive,” said Mick.

“Being part of the grandchildren’s everyday lives is something really special. There’s also a strong sense of support – we’re all there for each other, which creates a close-knit environment.”