How You Can Build a Mother in Law Suite or Granny Flat | Adding On Home Renovation for Aging Parents

[@gailfox6791]

To be able to see your mom everyday, not having to worry about her as much. At the same time she has her own space and her own life. That would be a dream come true for me. Blessings to all.

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

This is the way to go! Families can pool resources, everyone lives well and they can take care of each other. Don't underestimate the care grandparents provide. They can help with rearing children and are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom! Many cultures treasure their elders and we need to see more of that here!!! Caveat, of course, is that families have to get along!! LOL.

[@slorenal]

in the hispanic culture we do not put the old folks in the nursing home...well at least not in my family.

[@maryw7951]

I am glad that this is working out for them. Sometimes a mother is closer with their daughters then a son. I live in the basement apt of my sons house. My DIL and I "co-exist". It's not always fun and games. Sometimes I want to say something about the grands and need to hold my tongue, because kids raised today is different!!

[@deekang6244]

She isn’t living with her daughter, she’s living “next door”. And, no, you can’t say how the grands are being raised. You’re not the mom, you’re the Gramma.

[@glynnisthomas9165]

@@deekang6244 You failed to notice that she noted all that herself. 😁 Just sayin'.

[@UnderATwilightSky]

​@@deekang6244 She said that, don't be so critical.

[@mrsmerriér]

Respect 💞. Taking notes now 🤭.

[@NAinLondonia]

I don’t know why this made me tear up. You’re all so warm, and it’s so nice to see such a close family. ❤️

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@tamiweber7118]

Beautiful family to open their arms to mom/mother-in-law 💯🌟💜🌟💯

[@marilynhaverly570]

As a Grandma, I'm at a similar point in life. I recently downsized to a studio apt. with very similar square footage and I love it. My dream though is to have a separate but together space to live in so I can enjoy my granddaughter even more of the time! I loved this.

[@megnicholls9931]

What a beautiful home and a lovely way to take care of extended family. You guys are inspirational 💞

[@craigtalbot607]

This gives new meaning to “living the Dream.” Everyone seemed quite honest ... and yet completely content! Love it!!!

[@JML1974]

Beautiful addition and all the details to MaJo’s granny flat. I, too have my 72 years young mother, relocate from Florence, SC to my home in Decatur, GA about 2 years ago and your idea has sparked a conversation about designing a more independent space in my current home. Thank you for making this video!

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@violetbennett2407]

You sound so much like me. My husband passed away in 2017. So my children, I have 6 children, they didn’t want me to live alone out in the country. My daughter had just bought a house in town with a 2 car garage. And we love our neighbor hood and neighbors. So we turned the garage, into a 11 hundred feet cottage. When I hear you talking about your place it looks and sounds like my place. I have a living room 16. X 20, a kitchen 12 x12, a bedroom 12x20, a nice laundry room, and my own bathroom with a nice tiled shower, and the other things in there I need. The inside is all light blue with white cabinets. Every area has wheel chair accessible. I have nice big windows, with no curtains, I and when I look out I don’t see their house. The take care of my trash and things like that. The part about decide what to keep was really hard. We had a 2400 feet house in the country. So that moving part was hard. But, it took awhile for it to feel like home. But I love it now. My son and grandson are carpenters so they built my little house. I also had a fireplace, electric, put in. I hope you are as satisfied as I am with the new home. God bless you. I am 79 years old. Oh I had the same kind of floors put down as yours. I really enjoyed the show.

[@violetbennett2407]

Nice place to live.

[@susananyway]

Thank you for watching. Sounds like you have a great place too!

[@samanthamohlenhoff7013]

We do have a similar story to tell. Happy for you to also be blessed with a loving family. Wishing you well on this new life adventure. MaJo

[@2leverett]

One of the most enjoyable and informative vlogs on granny flats I’ve ever seen. Thank you for posting!

[@susananyway]

Thanks!

[@karenatkins7714]

Love this video. My house is actually next door to my youngest son & his family. We have combined the back yards and I love having them as neighbors. We each have our own space, but are available if needed. My granddaughter is going away to college and it will be different but we will adjust. MaJa, your home is beautiful and I saw several ideas I would love to adopt. I’ve been here 7 years and most of my furniture is from previous homes, so ready to make a few changes. Your designer did a lovely job and y’all have inspired me to take my next steps. Thank you for sharing the home and your family.

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@austynmazzola3348]

How did you finance this? We are trying to do the same.

[@rosemarywilliams9969]

"You won the lottery and you get to take care of me in my old age"😂😂😂 We'll said mother!

[@chrishicks5359]

What a lovely family. I love the granny pad, it looks really efficient and beautiful. I’m with MaJo, I love the light. Sounds like they all have good boundaries and enjoy each other and know when to go to their private spaces, which is what we all need to do. Delightful!

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@Coastalanne54]

More families need to consider this for parents. We share our house expenses with our daughters family ,like property taxes etc. We built a basement suite for ourselves and love being near our grandchildren. ❤

[@Smartie1B]

This is EXACTLY what we’re getting ready to dive into right now. My mom is the same age and has VERY similar needs and wants! I loved the interviews with the son in law and grandkids! Thank you so much - this was EXTREMELY HELPFUL!!! That addition is PERFECT!!! 👏👏👏

[@joann5157]

I absolutely love this! It looks as if you were able to totally divest yourself of all your past furniture and mementoes. That's the hard part for me. All my little treasures are meaningful, yet I love the clean uncluttered look. I love the kitchen backsplash--my favorite thing in your flat. I LOVE blue and it is difficult to restrain myself from an ALL blue environment. You did it very well. Your daughter Sam is the spitting image of my late cousin, Susie. It was uncanny seeing her. She is as beautiful as my cousin. Wishing you a wonderful happy life in your flat!!

[@susananyway]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@mscampbell1242]

MaJo (I'm your age) you're a sweetheart!! I love your "suite" and colors are wonderful!! I put in vinyl flooring, it is great and so easy to keep up!! Great situation you have with your family.

[@georgiehughes4858]

Perfect solution!! Love all the windows and glass doors! I also love lots of light (and prefer no curtains also). I’m 75 yr old widow in So Calif. I sold our family home of 43 yrs, and bought out in the country area of Los Angeles County, 2 acres with a house large enough for my son and his family. We’ve been trying to figure out what to do for a granny flat for me due to huge costs in Calif, so we’ve been seeking lots of various contractor interviews and youtube info. It looks like I’ll build a separate guest house of about 500 sq ft. I like your 600 sq ft addition but it’s $250 per sq ft here so thinking about the extra costs. I also must have a separate septic dug/installed for the guest house. We’ve finally found a reliable, good, reasonable and well known contractor in our new area so if the Lord wills, we’ll begin in the near future. Thank you so much for making your video and sharing all the details... very helpful for us.

[@susananyway]

I’m glad it was helpful! Thanks for sharing your story also!

[@khalnamodi8599]

May it be well with you

[@janetellinger9605]

Mom is a lovely person! good job!

[@DaWahine79]

Thank you so much, Grammy, for saying that your kids also need to have their own time together, and you want to also have your own life. Dealing with in-laws sharing the same space at the moment. It really does take a toll on marriage and relationship. Hoping it will get better once they move to their newly bought house.

[@sheliarossell3162]

What a wonderful family you can't understand what it's like when your mate is gone that life ends. You become single with children, and others. You are both examples of mother, and father. Adults have tough love so there a balance of respect. Everyone needs to be real people truth is to many people want there way instead of us way. Lol. What a beautiful place. The journey is to love each other on this journey together. The balance is how you feel about yourself those are the great things you share daily with others. The people we share our life add to ours. When our purpose is done in life it's your trun to contine. Add all the great things shared with you to yours then continue on in your life. Being a real person is being you. Always love your family make special moments .

[@jamb1579]

Beautiful design and grand ma realizes her place in the family and no drama from grandma either! Just loving her family and knowing when to zip it respecting boundaries ❤️💕

[@franakquereshi8940]

So thoughtful and practical, connected but privacy maintained.

[@DianeMadison12]

Honoring your mother and father in practice:):)

[@lisavandyke501]

This was so much fun to see and hear about. What an awesome place! And I love your production!😊

[@susananyway]

Thank you, Lisa!

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Beautiful home. Love the blue walls. Feels like being at the beach! Nicely done!

[@bonniemiles7957]

The gravel patio allows water to enter the soil which helps the trees.

[@livingauthenticallyonmyownterm]

What an incredible idea !!! Such a beautiful and cozy home for MaJo, the kids have her around everyday to share their lives with each other, MaJo and family can help each other out, and, can I say that that fire pit and all the trees, shrubs, plants and the garden are to die for !!! Wow !!! Thanks for such an inspiration and sharing your lives with us 🌹

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@wordeeone4996]

Georgetown is where I grew up and I rarely hear it mentioned. It immediately brought a smile to my face when she mentioned Georgetown and Pawley’s Island. MaJo’s home is beautiful and I absolutely love the way the deck/courtyard turned out.

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@femalephobia]

Exactly what I said to my mom, while we can still have fun🤗💕

[@cecilegilpin2895]

I love this story, so much that I called my daughter to look, I keep watching it over and over, it warms my heart to see family together, maybe because I am lock away by .myself and feel very lonely, so this encourages my ❤. Hoping to meet this loving family one day.

[@susananyway]

Thank you for watching!

[@naomim5015]

What an amazing and special privilege to have your elderly mom move in or next to you. Would have loved that opportunity with my mom. Miss her. :( Cherish the moments....

[@anneross9948]

This is the best granny flat that I have seen. Well done. Love it

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@juliagrant8627]

You three are a delight to watch such fun. Beautiful home.

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@angelique00angelique]

Not sure why this popped in my feed but I love it! How wonderful they all made it work and did it now rather than later when there might be more stress, health issues, or even more urgent need. I’d love to have my mom live next to me. I’m 30 and expecting our first baby (and first grandbaby) and we are working on our plan to live next door to my parents. It’ll be great for our kids and for when the time comes to care for my aging parents.

[@susananyway]

That’s awesome! Congratulations & best wishes!

[@dianev6180]

This is a great family with a great in-law suite!

[@susananyway]

Thank you so much!

[@conniepleasantnails]

So beautiful. I have the same stove top in my tiny home and I have a counter top convection oven. I love that she didn’t cover the windows. It’s decorated comfortably and when you live tiny you realize how much you “don’t” need and you end up with what’s important. Plus more time to share doing things you love instead of caring for a home.

[@susananyway]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@Maddiehere89]

I love your mom MaJo. I live in Spartanburg and I am going to live with one of my daughters. This is helpful. We are working on a small area for me to live. Thank you for all the help!

[@kyliemunday]

What a beautiful story to listen too. Thanks.

[@rebeccaballi8683]

Beautiful, love the look. I have been thinking of add to our home for my Mom in the near future.

[@dorothyschoun5663]

So awesome for this family and MaJo! Beautiful addition to the home and backyard. I wish it could be this way for so many more families. Thanks for sharing. Blessings to all!

[@MissyPoo81]

Ahhhh this is PERFECT! We're in the process of building and adding a casita for my mom, who'll be 64 this year (she'll be moving in in about 2-3 years). We're at 620 sqft and I was afraid it would be too small (hard to envision the floorplan in real life). LOVE the Q&A session! Sharing this with my mom as it's exactly the type of feedback that is super useful right now for the both of us. Appreciate it!

[@susananyway]

I’m so glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@davisholman8149]

Wow - I am 65 & just started a new business. I guess everyone is different. I am not ready to move in - but both my daughters have built homes in the last year or so & included a room for me. Not ready & won’t be for a long time. Love them dearly, but i am still going strong - enjoyed this vlog though. Thank you.

[@susananyway]

Mom’s going strong too at 78, just ready to be a little closer! Best of luck in your new business!

[@debbiestott3651]

That is beautiful. You have such a good friendship as well and having family close will be a blessing on both sides.

[@laurieguthrie5164]

Oh my goodness!! Just what I was looking for!! My father passed away a month ago and we are looking to relocate my Mom from Louisiana to Texas. You guys answered so many questions for me. Especially the square footage and going ahead and making it handicap accessible. Thank you for making this video. Many blessings to you all!

[@susananyway]

So glad it was helpful for you!

[@cakedoll575]

One more thing MaJo has a beautiful smile. love her great outlook on life.

[@bettysweet9644]

Great home, great family

[@baxter3877]

How delightful to watch! Wishing you all many years of happiness.

[@kathe.o.]

LOVE the comradery between MaJo & 3 grands. PLUS she use to live here in Birmingham, Alabama.

[@susananyway]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video!

[@rachaelt3294]

We are adding a suite for my older parents in the spring. I'm so excited!

[@DementiaWithGrace]

This is a sweet video!! Very informative for people looking to balance generational living!

[@susananyway]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RebeccaRohrHome]

What an awesome journey for all the family and getting it set up while in good health. New subscriber here. You guys are so cute.

[@susananyway]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@vivianstidham9596]

This is such a wonderful idea. Nursing facility prices are just out of sight for so many. Love this idea. Plus after the covid-19 scare and lose of so many in nursing facilities. This is awesome! I hope the government can see America families are resilient and smart and have the ability to take care of their aging parents . The government in general just screws things up. I am so proud of all of you for coming up with such a fantastic win win for your families. May God bless you all. From Texas .😊

[@starr6465]

LOL Mom took over 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@judydenham2110]

I really enjoyed watching this video. This is something my daughter, son-in-law and I have talked about doing although currently we both live in townhouses. But buying a house with a granny suite or buying a house that could be built on - so it's nice to see what you have done. It has certainly given me a lot of ideas. It's really nice to see a family that is making it work - and that it's not always perfect, but is doable. Thanks for sharing.

[@connielu9]

What a wonderful place. I so enjoyed your presentation. You really have got all you need. I think we tend to just get "too much stuff" over the years. God bless you guys for keeping your family together.

[@ceciliaohman185]

Just the video I was looking for! I’m definitely doing this!! I’m the grandma now and I love the prospect of downsizing to spend time with people instead of stuff!

[@susananyway]

I'm so glad it was helpful for you!

[@barbibutton9619]

Very nice. Why anyone would thumbs down this nice flat, idk

[@jenniferf.9886]

Thank you for publishing this. It was so helpful for us as we’re planning to bring my mom into our home.

[@susananyway]

I’m so glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@heidifritz3053]

Beautiful little home. It really seems like it was a win-win for all involved.

[@1Lightdancer]

Sweet peeks into this lovely home and family! My daughter and son-in love are building me a Grammy flat in their backyard with some similar features, including my forays into gardening (especially veggies!) My grands still at home are 11 (×2) and 17, and we feel the same excitement! I'm in process with the downsizing!

[@marianrobinson4082]

Making beautiful memories!

[@Kathleen58]

I love your house. My son wants me to move to Tx with him ,his wife and daughter. I would love to have a small house like yours with lots of windows.

[@susananyway]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed. Good luck with your future plans!

[@stevenclark3751]

Considering to make that same move with our daughter, very informative. Beautiful and fun loving family.

[@jaditelady173mary4]

I removed my sliding doors on my closet and put a shower tension rod up and hung a beautiful shower curtain that matched my room. It makes it so easy to get in and out of closet. Plus it provided more space for craft supplies, etc with rolling carts to pull out when I want to craft.

[@kathycortez232]

This is absolutely beautiful what a blessing for Your mama tyfs hugs

[@susananyway]

Thank you!

[@violetbennett2407]

I like the one wall kitchen. We are planning that too.

[@holaf1649]

That is wonderful. Beautiful place.

[@wandasue52case86]

What a nice video! Lovely family. Lots of ideas for those of us who are getting to the stage in our lives to consider future care. A great idea for two homes, but still having family features that help connect as one. Thank you for sharing your home and story's. Lucky family-lottery. Winners all around. ❤

[@everlasting_love777]

Beautiful family! I am dreaming of doing this for my mother- thank you for the inspiration and honest discussion of everything you guys considered along the way!

[@susananyway]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@Seastorm-nh8cv]

I !I've with my daughter and her family.It's amazing and wonderful - and my daughter has recognized that I need my own kitchen and b

[@Seastorm-nh8cv]

and bathroom space. This has been a an awesome story. Thank you!

[@moto3433]

Thank you so much for sharing. Looks beautiful and very inspiring!

[@susananyway]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@blambert541]

My mom & I have lived together for 5.5 years. We live in the same house, with her room on one side & mine on the other side of the house & the common area in the middle. She is in her mid 80s now & it has worked out perfectly. I'm so glad your mom is in a good place, cause as she gets older, she will need your sister more & more. My mom lost her ability to go out in public Oct 2019, but is still bright, cheery & very communicable, but mobility has been her downfall. God bless you & your family.

[@susananyway]

Thank you! I’m so glad your mom has you. Thanks for watching!

[@carolyntrousdale2800]

Take the door off closet, use a pretty curtain. Then you could get in it.

[@anngray398]

Love this😍

[@donnabodiford7920]

Love this!

[@gabcarol8]

This is so inspirational!! Thank you!

[@susananyway]

I’m so glad, thank you!

[@nikki30md]

I love the design of her home. It is so bright and relaxing. Thanks for sharing!! 💚

[@susananyway]

You are so welcome!

[@aracelisortiz1056]

I am 80yrs old. Widow 20 yrs ago. My home became too large. Want to be with daughter. She is exited. Love your home. How to get the house plan. Thank you. Great job. Blessings

[@sandrabragg9547]

Beautiful addition!!!

[@SGRmoss]

I live right here in Wilmington also! I'm thinking about doing this for my parents so this video was a wealth of information. Thank you!

[@susananyway]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SybilWard]

Thank you for recording this!

[@susananyway]

No problem!

[@lcwathome821]

Beautiful home I am so happy for you!

[@richellepullum4717]

Absolutely adorable! Great video

[@zj5419]

Love this! Thanks for sharing.

[@cakedoll575]

Lovely!

[@nicholeaustin2049]

This is wonderful We're thinking the same for my MIL. What are the dimensions of the addition? Thank you for sharing!

[@lovelylady9102]

Love it 🥰

[@lavenderfields6583]

5:19 - The Layout of the Addition 9:00 - Living in 600 Square Feet 10:54 - Is There Anything They Would do Differently? 14:10 - Downsizing into the Granny Pad (wishes she did a walk- in closet to better fit and access her filing cabinet & photo albums she parted with) 18:57 - Using a Designer 21:44 - The Laundry & Bathroom 31:30 - What Does the Son-in-Law Think?

[@pamross4994]

Love it! The color of the addition needs for me to be a different color. It needs to blend with the red brick.

[@suehogan2408]

What a blessing

[@susananyway]

Thanks for watching!

[@patroberts185]

I really enjoyed this video💝💐😎

[@preachersd2r609]

Love this!!!! So sweet! Can you put the floor plan up and talk about the size etc?

[@susananyway]

I don’t have the floor plan, but the size is right at 600 square feet. Thanks for watching!

[@preachersd2r609]

@@susananyway thank You! That helps give me an idea of space area’s. We just found out after all permits in for the pool and pool/guest/mom house pool came back fine and is almost done but we are in the historic district and there was an old pipe from old city usage over 30 years ago. This is the first home on this property built in the 90’s and is the youngest house built like a historic house lol. So we had to move the Guest house to the opposite side facing our back door with the pool in center and couldn’t add on. But it came as a blessing because we can build larger now. Probably 400-600 sf the 1st plan was tiny add on and was not long term friendly. 140 sf like a nice Hotel room.

[@susananyway]

Hidden blessings for sure! What Mom ended up with was not what she originally planned for either, but it’s worked out great for her.

[@thegildedstork8167]

what wall color did you pick...its lovely! We are building a home and I want to put in a granny flat for my parents, or for young adult children, and eventually for my husband and I. Enjoyed your video so much! Your little home is precious :) How wonderful to see family pulling together to remember aging parents and keeping them apart of the family as it should be!

[@susananyway]

Benjamin Moore 1625 (Blue Lace)

[@right4might203]

I think it is important to share the roof line in order for the square footage to be included the main house square footage. This is important when the daughter wants to sell the home in the future. If the tiny home is detached from the main house, the square footage of the tiny home cannot be included. It is more like a storage shed.

[@veradarby7222]

Beautiful home and family arrangement. I love all of the windows and the light. You mentioned missing having a walk-in closet and the challenge of getting to clothes in the back of the closet. Is there a reason that you did not use pocket doors on your closet.

[@susananyway]

No room for pocket doors!

[@wellitsclose]

This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@susananyway]

I'm so glad!

[@lisettegarvin5030]

MaJo is wonderful!

[@susananyway]

Thank you, she really is!

[@lcwathome821]

Beautiful! How do u pay for utilities is that separate!

[@susananyway]

I’ll ask them.

[@samanthamohlenhoff7013]

Hi Linda, I roughly estimated the monthly cost of utilities and water and write them a check each month.