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Multigenerational living has become increasingly common in the U.S. In 2024, 22% of Americans lived in a multigenerational household, up from 13% in 1970. For families who want to live together without sharing every part of daily life, an in-law suite can be a helpful middle ground: proximity when you need it and privacy when you don’t.
If you’re thinking about building an in-law suite, here’s what to consider when determining which type makes the most sense for your home, budget and family.
An in-law suite is a private living space within, attached to or located on the same property as a primary home. It may be designed for parents or grandparents, but it can also accommodate adult children, caregivers, guests or other family members.
The term, in-law-suite, is often used interchangeably with “accessory dwelling unit,” or ADU, but they aren’t necessarily the same. An ADU, more specifically, is an independent secondary residence that generally includes its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area and entrance. An in-law suite could meet those requirements and qualify as an ADU, but a simpler suite that shares a kitchen or other facilities with the main home may not.
There’s no single blueprint. Your existing home, available land, local regulations and the amount of independence your family member needs can all shape the decision.
Budget will also likely play a role. According to Angi, the average cost of building an ADU in the United States is about $180,000 as of 2026, although actual costs vary significantly by location, design and site conditions.
If you’re adding an in-law suite to your home, know that you don’t have to have every detail figured out from the start. In fact, new construction can have several hurdles and hoops to jump through as you navigate zoning laws, permits, and more. So take things slow, if possible, and break the project up into a few decisions at a time.
Start with the big picture. Do you have a basement or garage that could become living space? Is there room to expand the house? Could your property accommodate a detached or factory made ADU?
It might also help to think about how close or separate you want everyone to be. Someone who wants plenty of independence may appreciate a detached space with a full kitchen and private entrance. Someone who needs more day-to-day support may be more comfortable in a suite connected to the main house.
Once you’ve completed step 1, it’s time to contact your local planning or building department. ADU, zoning and building requirements vary from one community to another, so an option you’ve seen elsewhere may work differently where you live. Your local planning or building department can help you understand requirements that may affect the project, such as whether you can build one at all, where it can sit on the property and what requirements the finished space must meet with regard to size or height limits, parking, entrances, etc.
Getting clarity on these factors early can save you from getting too attached to a layout that would need to change later.
Once you know what’s allowed, determine what your home or building site can realistically support.
For a basement or garage conversion, that may mean looking at ceiling height, windows, insulation, structural condition and existing utility connections. If you’re considering an in-law suite addition or detached structure, the location of water, sewer, electricity and other services can also affect your project.
Ideally, your in-law suite addition should function as closely to a full home as possible. Depending on the space and local requirements, that may mean including:
If you’re building the suite for an aging parent, consider their potential future mobility and current needs. You might include features like no-step entrances, wider doorways, lever-style handles, step-free showers and slip-resistant flooring.
The team you need will depend on the project. An interior conversion may look very different from building a detached backyard home.
Your project could involve a general contractor, architect or designer, electrician, plumber, HVAC professional or structural engineer. When comparing contractors, look for experience with residential additions, conversions or ADUs similar to yours. Check applicable licensing and insurance requirements, request references and detailed estimates and establish who will be responsible for securing permits and scheduling inspections.
Permits aren’t the most exciting part of planning an in-law suite, but they can affect when construction begins and how quickly the project is completed. The approvals you need will depend on your location and what you’re changing. Even a basement or garage conversion can involve permits when you’re adding things like plumbing and electrical service.
Once the big construction decisions are out of the way, shift your attention to what will make the suite feel most comfortable and personal for your incoming resident.
Storage is a good place to start. Someone moving into an in-law suite may be downsizing from a larger home, so proper storage can help them keep meaningful belongings without crowding the space.
Privacy deserves some thought, too. Consider what someone can see and hear from the main house, where entrances are positioned and whether there are places to enjoy time alone as well as with family.
Time. Resist the urge to have every last furnishing decision made before move-in day. The armchair that looks perfect in an empty corner, for example, may not be the chair Mom actually likes to read in. Give your friend or family member time to settle in so you can learn what they truly need as they become more acquainted with the arrangement.
Furniture rental can also give everyone some breathing room before making permanent purchases. You can create a comfortable, functional home now, then see what works once your family member has had time to settle into the space and their new routine.
Fortunately, CORT Furniture Rental offers flexible options for furnishing an in-law suite — bedroom sets, seating, kitchen and dining pieces and more — delivered and set up so your family member can settle in comfortably from day one.
Get started online or visit your nearest CORT Furniture Rental showroom.
