Expert Tips: How to Design a Home for a Joint Family
For breezy living in a joint-family house, follow these essential design tips and tricks suggested by Studio Osmosis
A fair number of joint families still live in one home even today, although this once-common living arrangement is now dwindling, especially in metro cities. While communal living brings with it its fair share of fun, it can be a challenging task at times, to share the same space with several other people. It is, therefore, imperative to have the house interiors planned and designed in a way that they take into account every member’s needs and preferences, while also creating spaces that bring everyone together.
Shilpa Jain Balvally and Sameer Balvally of Studio Osmosis offer advice on how to design the perfect joint-family house.
Shilpa Jain Balvally and Sameer Balvally of Studio Osmosis offer advice on how to design the perfect joint-family house.
Create a sense of circulation with the right furniture pieces
The design of a joint family home requires a sense of circulation, where everyone, from the youngest person to the oldest, finds mobility within the home easy. This requires small amendments and considerations. “For instance, in a home with old people and infants, it’s important to keep the interiors clutter-free, so that it is easy to move around and enough spaciousness. Also, one should consider furniture that isn’t delicate or with sharp edges,” says Shilpa Jain Balvally.
The design of a joint family home requires a sense of circulation, where everyone, from the youngest person to the oldest, finds mobility within the home easy. This requires small amendments and considerations. “For instance, in a home with old people and infants, it’s important to keep the interiors clutter-free, so that it is easy to move around and enough spaciousness. Also, one should consider furniture that isn’t delicate or with sharp edges,” says Shilpa Jain Balvally.
Design a kitchen for multiple cooks
In joint families, the kitchen is an important, high-traffic area where usually more than one person works. “In such a situation, a kitchen with a larger counter space would be ideal, where no one barges into the other’s work space. In larger houses, if you have the luxury of space, adding an island would be a good idea, as it offers extra area for cooking or prepping. This island can also double up as a breakfast counter for quick meals,” Balvally says.
Know these things before designing a kitchen island
In joint families, the kitchen is an important, high-traffic area where usually more than one person works. “In such a situation, a kitchen with a larger counter space would be ideal, where no one barges into the other’s work space. In larger houses, if you have the luxury of space, adding an island would be a good idea, as it offers extra area for cooking or prepping. This island can also double up as a breakfast counter for quick meals,” Balvally says.
Know these things before designing a kitchen island
Create congenial public spaces
More family members means larger and more social interactions and a long stream of constant guests. In a joint-family house, it is advisable to invest in a few key furniture pieces and several other small seaters that can be moved around as needed. “If you have the luxury of a big home, you could choose to break up the living room into smaller seating areas, so that owners and guests can enjoy a few private conversations, too,” says Jain Balvally.
More family members means larger and more social interactions and a long stream of constant guests. In a joint-family house, it is advisable to invest in a few key furniture pieces and several other small seaters that can be moved around as needed. “If you have the luxury of a big home, you could choose to break up the living room into smaller seating areas, so that owners and guests can enjoy a few private conversations, too,” says Jain Balvally.
Customise the dining area according to the family’s eating habits
Every joint family dines differently – while some make it a point to enjoy at least one meal together, some others prefer to eat at their own time and convenience. If it’s the former, then investing in a large, smart dining table is a good idea. On the other hand, “we’ve had clients who have requested smaller dining tables because many members tended to eat in the living room, in their bedrooms or in the TV room. So it makes sense to choose buffet tables or small tables that are extendable, with hideaway chairs that can be pulled out only when in use,” Balvally says.
Check out these dining rooms on Houzz
Every joint family dines differently – while some make it a point to enjoy at least one meal together, some others prefer to eat at their own time and convenience. If it’s the former, then investing in a large, smart dining table is a good idea. On the other hand, “we’ve had clients who have requested smaller dining tables because many members tended to eat in the living room, in their bedrooms or in the TV room. So it makes sense to choose buffet tables or small tables that are extendable, with hideaway chairs that can be pulled out only when in use,” Balvally says.
Check out these dining rooms on Houzz
Design a shared bedroom that can evolve with growing children
The foremost thing to consider before designing a shared children’s bedroom is the age of the siblings – the design of the room should address the needs of that age and also evolve as the kids grow up. “If you have small children who are still in school, I would suggest you place the beds at two ends of the room and leave the middle ground for play. If the room doesn’t have enough space, a bunk bed is a good space-saving idea. Offer plenty of storage options for their books and toys, and keep some space available to store musical instruments, sports equipment and so on that you know they will need in the coming months and years. Plan the cabinets and shelves methodically so nothing gets left out and there’s a place for everything,” Jain Balvally says.
See these solutions for five of the biggest problems in kids’ shared bedrooms
The foremost thing to consider before designing a shared children’s bedroom is the age of the siblings – the design of the room should address the needs of that age and also evolve as the kids grow up. “If you have small children who are still in school, I would suggest you place the beds at two ends of the room and leave the middle ground for play. If the room doesn’t have enough space, a bunk bed is a good space-saving idea. Offer plenty of storage options for their books and toys, and keep some space available to store musical instruments, sports equipment and so on that you know they will need in the coming months and years. Plan the cabinets and shelves methodically so nothing gets left out and there’s a place for everything,” Jain Balvally says.
See these solutions for five of the biggest problems in kids’ shared bedrooms
If space allows, create private nooks and multipurpose areas
While living together in a joint family house has its own charm and benefits, it is essential to have private spaces, too.
Create window seats, balcony lounges, nooks or entire rooms for reading or relaxing, if your home has space for it. “You could even partition areas using screens in different materials – say, metal, fabric or just smartly placed furniture or ledges. These help create a visual barrier that doesn’t take up space and helps create private areas,” Jain Balvally says.
For smaller homes, having multifunctional spaces is a good idea. “A dining area can double up as games room or a place for studying. In many of our projects, we even take into account the dynamics of the members – if they like to spend time with each other then we focus more on lounging areas and entertainment rooms,” Balvally says.
Read more:
How to Design a Happy Home for a Joint Family
Tell us:
Have you perfected the joint-family home design? Share your ideas in Comments below.
While living together in a joint family house has its own charm and benefits, it is essential to have private spaces, too.
Create window seats, balcony lounges, nooks or entire rooms for reading or relaxing, if your home has space for it. “You could even partition areas using screens in different materials – say, metal, fabric or just smartly placed furniture or ledges. These help create a visual barrier that doesn’t take up space and helps create private areas,” Jain Balvally says.
For smaller homes, having multifunctional spaces is a good idea. “A dining area can double up as games room or a place for studying. In many of our projects, we even take into account the dynamics of the members – if they like to spend time with each other then we focus more on lounging areas and entertainment rooms,” Balvally says.
Read more:
How to Design a Happy Home for a Joint Family
Tell us:
Have you perfected the joint-family home design? Share your ideas in Comments below.
Before designing or planning a joint family house, think about what kind of design the members would like, what living set up they prefer, what spaces are absolutely essential to the design and so on. “Of course, their opinions, likes and dislikes may be varied, but finding a common ground becomes essential,” says Sameer Balvally.