The classic Australian dream is evolving. Gone are the days when a home was just for a family of four, today our houses are working harder, doing more, and bringing us closer together than ever before.
At Complete by McDonald Jones we’re seeing a massive shift in how families choose to live. Whether it’s adult children staying home longer to save a deposit for their first home, or the grandparents moving in to be closer to the grandkids, under-one-roof living is officially the new normal.
What the experts say: The 2026 home forecast.
According to the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026, multi-generational living is one of the dominant forces reshaping Australian architecture and design right now.
The forecast notes that successful modern homes must prioritise:
- Flexible zoning: Layouts that seamlessly allow family members to coexist while retaining personal independence.
- Agile spatial planning: Moving away from sheer scale and focusing instead on better-designed spaces that offer both privacy and connection.
- Human-centered design: Creating home environments that promote wellbeing, reduce daily friction, and feel like a sanctuary for every age bracket.
So, how do you successfully manage a household when you have three generations sharing the same roof? It all comes down to choosing the right floorplan.
Why a 5-bedroom Complete home is the perfect solution.
When you buy a turnkey 5-bedroom home with Complete by McDonald Jones, you are investing in a thoughtfully designed floor, deliberately crafted to master the art of multi-generational balance.
Here is exactly how our 5-bedroom homes address the core trends of the 2026 forecast:
- Built-in privacy with clever zoning.
The biggest worry families have about living together is stepping on each other’s toes. Our 5-bedroom home designs utilise separate wings to solve this. Separating the master suite at one end of the home from the secondary bedrooms at the other creates immediate, functional privacy. Grandparents or adult children can take full advantage of their own quiet spaces without feeling too isolated.
- Multi-use breakout spaces.
A true multi-generational home needs more than just a single open-plan living area. Our designs feature multiple, distinct zones focusing on:
- An expansive central family and dining area for shared meals and connection.
- A separate children's activities room, often including a study nook.
- A dedicated home theatre or flexible living area for hobbies like yoga or art.
This gives the kids a place to play video games, parents a space to unwind with a movie, and grandparents a quiet corner to read – all at the same time.
- The essential ground floor guest bedroom.
For older family members, stairs can quickly become a hassle or a safety hazard. Many of our 5-bedroom designs feature a beautifully appointment bedroom on the ground floor, often located right next to a full bathroom. It provides the ultimate convenience and accessibility for grandparents, ensuring they feel completely integrated into daily life without navigating stairs.
- Turnkey simplicity for busy households.
When you have a bustling, multi-generational family, the last thing you want to worry about is a stressful, drawn-out build process with endless decision making. Complete by McDonald Jones takes the hassle entirely out of the equation. Our homes are completely turnkey – meaning all the premium fixtures, integral elements, flooring and even landscaping are entirely taken care of before we hand you the keys.
The bottom line.
Multi-generational living isn’t about compromising on your lifestyle; it’s about expanding your support network, sharing memories and building financial resilience. By partnering smart, human-centered design with the space of a 5-bedroom layout, everyone gets the room they need to thriver together. 
Want to explore our multi-gen designs?
Complete by McDonald Jones offers a collection of 5-bedroom home designs across several NSW leading residential estates including: Figtree Hill – Gilead, Calderwood Valley, Mount Terry – Albion Park, and The Gables – Box Hill.
Visit our website or contact our sales team to book your walk through of one of these 5-bedroom turnkey homes today.