Loft conversions can be so much more than just an extra bedroom. If you are struggling for extra family space to accommodate teenagers or elderly parents, converting your loft is one of the most affordable ways to create a multi-generational living space.

The state of the UK housing market means many parents are now planning for their 20something children to move back in with them. University debt, hefty house deposits and rising house prices means that it is practically impossible for 20-34 year-olds to get on the property ladder. The only way they can save for a deposit is to move back in with mum and dad. 

But mum and dad also have the growing pressure of ageing parents to look after. The average cost of residential healthcare in England can set families back between £30,00 and £35,000 a year[i]. It means the prospect of having three generations living under one roof is now a real possibility for many British households.

Fortunately more and more multigenerational families are turning to loft conversions to create that extra breathing space to help families alleviate those ‘pressure points’ in the home. Deepak Singh Udassi, specialist loft conversion builder for City Lofts London says the multi-generational home is one of the fastest growing demographic changes in the UK. She says: “Too many people living in a small space inevitably lowers living standards and increases stress levels. Daily morning queues for the bathroom, squabbles over food and control of the TV remote put a strain on relations and can break the tranquillity of a normal family home. Loft conversions are a great way to ease the strain.”[ii]

Whether it is an extra bathroom that you need, a self-contained ‘granny flat’, independent living for a teenager, more grown-up living space, more bedrooms, cinema room or a study area, a loft conversion will only improve family living for the better.

The short-term benefits of converting your loft are immediate. Gaining new rooms can take the strain off family life. There’s more storage room for everyone, more space for those wanting quiet ‘me ’ time and it is more cost-effective than moving.  Plus, with more people around, there are more people to help with day-to-day practicalities such as doing the shopping, contributing to bills or walking the dog.

In the long term, loft conversions are a great investment and will add value to your property. Think ahead and be aware of how you will want to convert the space when the kids finally move out. Will you want a new master bedroom, a playroom for the grandkids or will you want to rent out the space for extra income? Planning ahead to ensure items like external access or an additional electricity meter for future use need to be thought about in advance. 

The secret to a successful loft conversion is to think about what you really want now and how you might want to convert it in the future but there is no argument. A loft conversion can be an extremely versatile solution to all your family living challenges.

[i] Laing Buisson, Care of Older People UK market report, 29th edition, May 2018.
https://www.which.co.uk/later-life-care/financing-care/care-home-finance/care-home-fees-akdbv8k3kwln

[ii] How to Live Happily with Elderly Parents Without Them Driving You Crazy… Harmony in Multi-Generation Homes.
http://www.cityloftslondon.com/wp-content/uploads/5-live-with-elderly-parents.pdf