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Original poster

2 up 2 down extension/ conversion ideas - elderly parents potentially live with us

22 replies

stripeydress7 · 29/09/2020 10:16

We've found a 2 up 2 down victorian terrace that we love, we are a family of 3 so it's enough for us. I'd like to have the option of somewhere, if we needed to, for my parents to live with us when they are elderly (about 5 years off) - is there any sensible way we can add extra space for them? It's semi detached if that makes a difference.

There's a LOT I love about the property, but will it just not work? Should I look for a 3 bed? How have people made space for parents to live with them?

OP posts:
GiraffeNecked · 29/09/2020 10:23

Loft conversion or side return are the obvious ones. Or more realistic pool resources when the time comes and buy something that works then. You cant second guess it really. Buy for you and your needs now.

GU24Mum · 29/09/2020 10:41

Realistically I suspect you'd be up against it with a Victorian terrace (though I do love them!)

olderthanilookapparently · 29/09/2020 13:37

I lived in a terrace like and and whilst we could have gone up into the loft you lose space on the first floor to a stair case and downstairs isn't big enough to cater for the amount of people who live in all of the bedrooms you run out of room 'downstairs'

SuzieCarmichael · 29/09/2020 13:38

Can we have a link or floor plan please ?!

MrsJamin · 29/09/2020 13:42

I don't know how you'd live in a 2 up 2 down with 4 adults and a child. What is stopping you from getting a 3 bed? Could you afford it?

JoJoSM2 · 29/09/2020 14:03

Sounds v cramped even if there was enough space in the loft to add a bedroom.

Is there no chance of getting sth bigger if you pool your resources together?

Original poster
stripeydress7 · 29/09/2020 14:17

Here's a floorplan. We could afford a 3 bed, but would need to drive to school rather than walk. I think it might be a bit of a stretch to add extra room but we've never done an extension or loft conversion before so have no idea.

2 up 2 down extension/ conversion ideas - elderly parents potentially live with us
OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 29/09/2020 14:27

It’s tiny. It has the square footage of a large one bed flat. It isn’t just the number of bedrooms but the existing rooms are v small so you wouldn’t be able to have enough sofa space or table space to have all of you in the same room. Not to mention almost no storage.

If you want your parents to move in with you, I’d see no option but to get a 3-bed and drive to school.

SuzieCarmichael · 29/09/2020 14:55

Ok you said it’s a semi, how much space does it have to the side ?

MrsJamin · 29/09/2020 15:29

I've lived in a house like that with me and DH and sons until they were 3 and 5 and it was a proper squeeze. No way could you be there with that many people. How far exactly is the 3 bed away from the school? I'd take a drive over a walk to school if it meant that much change in living space.

titchy · 29/09/2020 15:38

Downstairs looks perfect for elderly parents. But where would you three live?

SuzieCarmichael · 29/09/2020 15:57

Even if the space to the side of the house is just a side return you could theoretically cram yourselves in there ...

  • turn side return into shared hallway and front door

Ground floor flat for grandparents:

  • put ground floor flat front door from shared hallway opposite where stairs are now
  • remove stairs
  • bedroom = front room, sitting room = middle room, extend across full width of the back for larger kitchen / diner, laundry room, bathroom, door to garden (how big is garden btw?)

Upstairs flat for you and DC:

  • put stairs up at end of side return which is now shared hallway
  • add full width extension above existing kitchen and bathroom, this will be your kitchen, bathroom, laundry, door to garden
  • install steps from kitchen down to back garden
  • current back room = sitting room
  • front room = bedroom 1
  • loft conversion = bedroom 2

But really, what a massive ball ache. Why would you bother !!

Lilybet1980 · 29/09/2020 16:03

The only way I can see this working without extending sideways is to do the following, bud the rooms may well still be too small:

  • side return extension to turn the kitchen/bathroom into a larger kitchen/diner. I would try and squeeze a small wc downstairs too.
  • turn one do the existing bedrooms into a family bathroom. You would need to put the elderly parents in the other bedroom on this floor.
  • loft conversation to make two new bedrooms. I don’t think there would be enough space up there for a second bedroom.

But honestly I think it would still be a squeeze.

hauntedvagina · 29/09/2020 16:22

I think it would be a squeeze and a faff.

Look for a three bed with two decent size reception rooms so one can be turned into a bedroom if needed and a downstairs toilet with the space / scope to be converted into a downstairs wet room. The spare third bedroom would be a valuable space for you as a home office / chill out area.

If you're seriously considering multi generational living then you need to ensure that everyone has adequate space. I moved 18 months ago to a house that I could easily convert should my parents need to live with us. I could not do that in a two up two down.

titchy · 29/09/2020 16:33

@Lilybet1980

The only way I can see this working without extending sideways is to do the following, bud the rooms may well still be too small:
  • side return extension to turn the kitchen/bathroom into a larger kitchen/diner. I would try and squeeze a small wc downstairs too.
  • turn one do the existing bedrooms into a family bathroom. You would need to put the elderly parents in the other bedroom on this floor.
  • loft conversation to make two new bedrooms. I don’t think there would be enough space up there for a second bedroom.

But honestly I think it would still be a squeeze.

Except to future proof for elderly parents they need ground floor accommodation for when they can't manage stairs...
Original poster
stripeydress7 · 29/09/2020 20:01

Thanks for the reality check! Love the cottage but it seems like it just won't work. We can afford a 3 bed, but it would mean driving to school rather than walking which I'd prefer.

OP posts:
CatAndHisKit · 30/09/2020 01:11

You would definitely need a second loo / ideally a full shower room in a 3-bed house for 5 people living there, especially if two are elderly!

Seeingadistance · 30/09/2020 01:56

I’m not sure why you’re rejecting a house you love, and which would work for your family, because it isn’t suitable on the off-chance that your parents might live with you in 5 or more years time or maybe never.

Most elderly people live in their own homes. Is there a particular reason why you are planning on your parents living with you, and do they know about this plan?

sunshinesupermum · 30/09/2020 13:26

What Seeingdistance said.

JoJoSM2 · 30/09/2020 14:54

I just assumed it’s parents coming from a much cheaper country to be looked after but not in the position to buy a place and support themselves in the UK.

mumwon · 30/09/2020 20:58

what size if the back garden? Is it long enough to have a separate building at the back?
As pp have said - you don't know what will happen - sorry but you have to be practical
First in 5 years your finances might be different - you might be able to go up the chain & afford something bigger. (mortgages are quite good at the moment - would you be able to save?)
Second either your parents might not want to live with you, they might prefer or need just support in home. If they don't own property & rent from council you might be able to organise an exchange for smaller easier place to live locally. Or their health might decline (sorry experience here so please don't think I am insensitive!) & they may need more care than you can give & might need a care home. Or they might - well I am not saying it ....

GrumpyHoonMain · 30/09/2020 21:31

You can’t do anything with that - if you think you might need to care for elderly parents I would be going for a 3 bed bungalow (one floor) with an ensuite. If either of your parents need personal care not having an ensuite can spread the smell of poo / wee through the whole house otherwise

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