The “empty nest syndrome” has long been characterized as a period of bereavement parents experience at the loss of a child who leaves the home in search of independence and adulthood. But what many parents are coming to realize, as the last boxes are dropped off in dorm rooms across the country, is that for the first time, in a long time, they have the house all to themselves. 

One of the fastest growing groups in America, empty nesters are finding creative ways to take advantage of their new found home space. The House to Ourselves: Reinventing Home Once Kids Are Grown (Todd Lawson and Tom Connor, The Taunton Press) reflects on a major new trend in home design, one that renovates, reinvents and rethinks empty nesters’ concept of home. The trend is driven in large part by baby-boomers, a generation that encompasses nearly 75 million adults.  Unlike many in their parents’ generation, baby boomers see their future as a continuation of adventure and learning, a belief that becomes evident in many of their home design choices.

While raising children, home buying decisions typically revolve around family interests: school districts, resale values and distance to work. Newly independent couples often have the freedom to dictate what’s important to them in a home without outside considerations. High on their list is the quality of both their current lives and their lives in the future.

When the kids leave home, two things happen. The parents have time to focus more on their own lives and they have more disposable income. The house becomes their space for the first time in many years.

The empty nesters trend is especially apparent in bathroom and bedroom remodeling. Once a couple decides on the house they want to stay in, it is essential that they can grow old in it. The demand for tub to shower conversions and grab bars is rapidly increasing. And many bedrooms are converted into master suites, often with a sitting area, private patio and access to an exercise room and home office.

Another growing trend with remodeling empty nesters is the home as a family compound. The kids may be gone, but eventually they will return, and many newly independent couples want large spaces that can accommodate visiting children and grandchildren. Many homeowners, particularly those in the 40s and 50s, want space that can house aging parents as well.

With their time and energies no longer spent on carpooling, soccer practices and student-teacher meetings, many empty nesters are exploring passions previously set aside. Remodeling projects often include transforming space into studios, workshops and offices. Independent couples now have the resources to focus on their interests and want to create home space to pursue those interests.

The empty nesters trend is one with a growing future, and it’s not just retirees. Younger empty nesters are getting in on the act as well, hoping for a long life ahead in their new found space.

For more information on renovating a recently kid-free home, check out The House to Ourselves from The Taunton Press available on www.BuilderBooks.com. You can also visit www.mbaonline.org to find a remodelor that can help you reclaim your empty nest.

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