Dream 2 Family House Plans & Designs

Multigenerational households are becoming more common. There are many contributing factors, from elderly parents moving in with their children to young adults finding it too expensive to move out. And of course, some cultures have traditionally lived in homes with many generations together. Some of the house plans in this collection are duplexes suitable for housing two separate families, while others include in-law apartments with kitchenettes and living space.

Duplex house plans are nothing new, but many families may find this layout more appealing than before, especially when the units are only connected by a porch or short wall. Alternatively, your family may wish to rent out the other unit to bring in more income. Land is expensive, after all, and a duplex or multifamily house plan can be a more efficient use of property than a single family home.

Two-family house plans give lots of privacy to family members. Perhaps mom and dad occupy one unit while their adult child and his or her family take the other unit. Or maybe your mother-in-law needs more care but wants to still live independently: a duplex allows plenty of privacy and perhaps even room for a live-in caregiver. Another possible situation involves two friends pooling their money to build a duplex – an appealing choice for single homeowners who enjoy proximity to friends but also crave a private living space.

Here's yet another scenario where a duplex makes a lot of sense: building a vacation home. When you’re spending time at the cabin on the lake or in the mountains, it’s nice to be able to invite extended family along. But sharing bathrooms with grown siblings isn’t very fun, so a duplex can give everyone plenty of privacy. Or go in together on the investment with your friends and let the fun weekends begin.

Whatever your reason for wanting a 2-family home plan, you’ll find the right layout to suit your needs here. Explore these multifamily designs.