What Is a Mother-in-Law Suite, and Should I Consider Adding One?
What is a mother-in-law suite? If you have multiple generations (or roommates) living at home, it might be the right choice to add one!
If mom isn’t happy, no one is. You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating — especially when it comes to a certain mother-in-law moving in.
Plenty of households are cohabiting across several generations, by choice or by necessity, and that’s generated more interest in the home additions or renovations known as mother-in-law suites. In fact, in 2024, 14% of home buyers bought a multi-generational home, the top reasons being to take care of or spend more time with aging parents, to make room for children over 18 moving back in, and for cost savings.
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But what exactly is a mother-in-law suite?
All jokes aside, a mother-in-law-suite is a private living area within a home or property, designed as a separate living space to provide comfort and privacy for the occupant. These dwellings vary widely depending on the needs of the resident, but they typically include at least one bedroom and bathroom.
They can also earn a few creature comforts of home, such as a separate entrance, kitchen, and living room. These conveniences are a big bonus, especially if the living situation is going to be long-term. Lauren Reinhardt of Judd Builders in Asheville, North Carolina, says, “Many of the suites we build are configured in lower levels of homes that have walk-out basements with an exterior door.” Reinhardt adds that most of them include a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette, and a small living space.”
