Why Multi-Generational Living Is Driving a Renovation Boom Across Perth’s Western Suburbs

Something is shifting in the way Perth families think about home.

Across the western suburbs – from Claremont and Cottesloe to Subiaco and Nedlands – a quiet but profound change is underway. Families are choosing to live together across multiple generations. Grandparents, parents, adult children, and sometimes even young grandchildren are sharing a single address – not out of necessity alone, but because, done well, it actually works.

And it’s driving one of the most significant renovation trends Perth has seen in years

The Numbers Tell the Story

Perth is leading the country when it comes to multi-generational living. Searches for “multi-generational house plans” in Perth have surged by 133% year-on-year – the highest growth rate of any Australian city. Nationally, between one in five Australians already live in a multi-generational household, with research suggesting that figure is set to climb steeply over the next two decades.

The context in Perth’s western suburbs is striking. With median house prices now sitting at $1.475M in Claremont, $1.69M in Subiaco, $2.43M in Nedlands, and $3.5M in Cottesloe, entry into these suburbs is simply beyond reach for most adult children – even those with strong incomes. When your parents’ home is already in the suburb you love, renovation becomes the most logical way to keep the family connected.

For the generation holding those assets, there’s equal motivation. Ageing parents who wish to remain close to family – or contribute practically to it – would rather invest in the family home than move to a retirement complex. The result is a wave of considered, quality-led renovation rather than relocation.

These aren’t families cramming into existing homes. They’re renovating thoughtfully, investing in spaces that honour everyone’s need for privacy, independence, and connection.

What’s Driving Families in the Western Suburbs Specifically?

Perth’s western suburbs have always attracted families who value quality of living – good schools, walkable streets, established gardens, and proximity to the coast. These are suburbs people don’t want to leave, and increasingly, they’re finding ways not to. When a first home in Claremont or Shenton Park starts at $1.4M, adult children who’ve grown up in these suburbs face a genuine choice: move further afield, or find a way to stay close to family. For many, the family home – renovated intelligently – is the answer.

Rather than the family fracturing across different suburbs or distant rental markets, the home evolves. A ground-floor suite is created for grandparents. A studio above the garage becomes a private retreat for a returning adult child. An open-plan extension gives the whole family space to come together – while smart design ensures everyone can retreat to their own world.

This is where interior design and renovation intersect in a particularly meaningful way. It’s not just about adding square metres. It’s about creating a home with multiple layers – spaces that feel private, spaces that feel shared, and transitions between the two that feel natural rather than forced.

The Most Popular Renovation Approaches for Multi-Generational Homes

In Perth’s western suburbs, the most common renovation strategies we’re seeing include:

Secondary suites and annexes. A self-contained wing – with its own bedroom, bathroom, living space, and sometimes a kitchenette – attached to or integrated within the main home. These offer genuine independence without full separation, and they’re increasingly designed to the same standard as the primary home rather than as an afterthought.

Garage conversions and studio additions. For adult children who want their own space but aren’t yet ready to leave, a converted garage or studio addition provides the right balance. When designed well, these spaces feel like proper homes – not makeshift arrangements.

Ground-floor master retreats. As parents age in place, renovating the ground floor to include a full master suite (bedroom, ensuite, and sitting room) means they can remain in the family home long-term without navigating stairs. This type of renovation is particularly popular in the western suburbs’ older character homes, where the bones are beautiful but the layout needs updating.

Dual living areas. Extensions that create a second living and dining zone – with its own entry if needed – allow families to spend time together by choice rather than by constraint. Two families under one roof need two spaces to decompress.

Design Is What Makes It Work

The difference between a multi-generational renovation that thrives and one that creates tension comes down to design. Flow, acoustics, natural light, storage, privacy – these aren’t luxuries. They’re the things that determine whether the arrangement actually works long-term.

In Perth’s western suburbs, we’re seeing clients invest in the quality of their renovation rather than simply its size. Thoughtful material choices, considered spatial planning, and cohesive interior design create homes that feel intentional – not cobbled together over time.

Character homes in suburbs like Shenton Park, Swanbourne, and Mount Claremont present a particular opportunity. Their generous blocks, high ceilings, and architectural integrity make them ideal candidates for sensitive renovation that respects the original home while adding the layers a modern multi-generational family needs

The Long-Term Value Equation

Beyond lifestyle, there’s a compelling financial case. When your home is already valued at $2M or more, a well-executed renovation that adds a self-contained suite or dual living configuration can add disproportionate value – both to the property and to its appeal in an increasingly competitive market. Dual living capability is now actively sought by buyers in the western suburbs, so the investment pays off whether you stay or eventually sell.

There’s also the less quantifiable return: the practical support that comes from family proximity. Childcare shared between grandparents and parents. Elderly relatives who remain independent longer because help is just down the hall. The kind of daily connection that gets harder to maintain when everyone lives separately.

For many Perth families, the western suburbs renovation isn’t just a property decision. It’s a decision about how they want to live.

Thinking About Renovating for Your Family?

At Lux Interiors, we specialise in creating homes that are as functional as they are beautiful. Whether you’re planning a secondary suite for ageing parents, a studio addition for an adult child, or a full-scale extension to bring your family together under one roof, we’d love to help you design it right.

Get in touch with the Lux Interiors team to start the conversation about your renovation.