It’s one of the most common design challenges for cottage owners, and one of the easiest to get wrong: how to build a place that will serve as a family cottage now and a retirement home in a few years. “It’s a really tough transition for a lot of people,” says Selena McConnell, a lead designer with Royal Homes.
“Some people build large homes so there’s a lot of room for the kids when they come back to visit. However, they can end up taking on all kinds of debt for a space that only gets used when the kids come back for the holidays.”
It’s not just about the amount of space: a great design takes into account the way different families will use the home.
“For the parents, the house is a retirement home. It’s where they live all the time,” Selena explains. “But for the kids, the new house will always be the cottage.”
