The trend back to multi-generational households influences builders, remodelers

CLEVELAND - More families are now living in multi-generational households, whether it's to care for aging parents, kids moving back home, or because of the economy or foreclosure crisis.

In fact, the number of multi-generational homes has grown 30 percent in the last 10 years.

Builders kept that in mind when designing the Idea Home at the Great Big Home and Garden Expo at the I-X Center. It’s about living together yet living separately, essentially fitting two households in one living space.

The idea home is split into sections, with the master suite on one side, the common living area in the middle, and a bathroom and bedrooms for the kids or grandparents on the other.

Andy Simons with Creative Construction Solutions explains, "It's what you can get under one roof and everybody have their own space, but feel comfortable when they're together but also when they're separate"

The open floor plan allows for a lot of room inside the 2400 square foot ranch, especially in the living area.

"Typically, everybody's around here cooking, and being a part of that cooking, watching TV, everybody can be in the same room,” Simons said.

But if you need an escape from the extended family living, there is plenty of porch space with separate entrances, and the master suite can be built to be a kind of oasis.

Other money saving ideas featured in the home include LED lights, energy efficient windows, and a home automation system that can control the thermostat, lights and more with a tablet or smartphone.

The model on display at the Great Big Home and Garden Expo goes for about $250,000, but can be more or less depending on what's put in it.