Why More Kiwis Are Building Homes With a ‘Plus One’
One design trend that is coming in hot demand from our clients, is generational living. More New Zealanders are rethinking how they live, support one another, and future-proof their homes - and a growing number are choosing to build with a “plus one” option. Whether you call it a granny flat, minor dwelling, dual occupancy or home and income, the appeal is the same: flexibility, family connection and long-term value.
So what’s driving this shift? For some, it’s having grandparents close by (and happily available for the odd school pickup). For others, it’s a way to offset rising living costs or help adult children save for their first home. And for many, it’s simply about designing smarter spaces that evolve with life. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: multigenerational living is no longer niche, it’s mainstream.
At Generation Homes, we’ve responded by developing a range of Home & Income plans that give families more options than ever before.
There isn’t one single driver - it’s a perfect storm of lifestyle, cultural and financial factors. Here’s what’s shaping the trend:
Not all floorplans are created equal, especially when they need to give people room to connect and room to retreat. Here are some key design principles:
A few guiding questions may help:
A flexible design today becomes a lifesaver tomorrow.
What life looks like in a multigenerational home - imagine:
It’s the ideal blend of connection and independence. And perhaps the biggest win? Your home keeps working for you, long after the children have grown or your lifestyle has shifted.
One great example of generational living done well, comes from a Waikato family who built two attached-but-separate homes in Cambridge - one for Darren and Tracy and their boys, and the other for Darren’s mum. The vision was simple: support one another, maintain privacy and give Mum a home that offered both independence and connection.
The setup works beautifully. Shared meals happen naturally and everyday support flows easily - yet everyone still has their own front door, routines, kitchen, and personal sanctuary.
Their new setup has quickly become more than a practical arrangement - it’s become part of the family rhythm. As Darren shares:
“It’s everything we wanted. It’s a cool family home for us, and having Mum right next door is great… This morning Tracy whipped up a batch of scones and we just called Mum and said, ‘hey, we’re having scones.’ She pops over for coffee and a scone - it’s lovely to have that as part of your life.”
Simple moments like these are exactly what multigenerational living is about: effortless connection, closeness without crowding, and a home that makes everyday life feel richer.
Darren loves the flexibility: “For us, it has dual occupancy… You could use it for older children, or Airbnb, or guests. You could do all sorts of things with it. It gives you lots of options.”
When researching existing dual-occupancy homes, Tracy found many had internal access or restrictions that prevented a full kitchen. “That just didn’t feel like the right thing for Mum,” she says.
They chose the Dover plan, which already includes a complete minor dwelling - its own kitchen, living spaces, laundry, bathroom and two bedrooms. The separation felt right. The connection felt natural. It was exactly what their family needed.
Their story is a great reminder that generational living doesn’t always mean one large home. Sometimes, the smartest solution is two separate dwellings designed to work together.
You can read their full story here.
We offer a range of Home & Income plans shaped specifically for extended families, rental opportunities, or future-proofing your lifestyle. Here are three standout options:
1. Rata - a modern home with a fully self-contained unit
Rata features a contemporary design plus a fully self-contained minor dwelling. It’s ideal for parents, in-laws, grown children gaining independence, or rental income.
Main dwelling features:
Minor dwelling features:
2. Kaipara - dual living for larger families
The Kaipara offers a generous main home plus a one-bedroom secondary dwelling positioned for maximum privacy.
Main Dwelling:
Minor Dwelling:
3. Buckingham - a spacious family home + bonus income
With strong indoor-outdoor flow, large central living spaces, and a completely separate minor dwelling, the Buckingham gives you the best of both worlds: a beautiful family home plus a flexible “plus one” option.
Ideal for tenants, grandparents, or a work-from-home setup.
If you’re dreaming of a home that brings your whānau closer, adds income, or simply gives you more flexibility for the future, then a Home & Income plan might be the perfect solution.
Explore our full range of Home & Income designs here.