In recent years, new forms of housing have made inroads in Flanders. These new forms of housing offer not only flexibility, but also sustainability, community spirit and innovation. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable new housing forms that have made their appearance in Flanders.
Cohousing
Cohousing is a housing concept in which multiple households share a common space while having individual living units.
Each household has its own space, but there are also shared parts to the home such as a kitchen, living room, garden and sometimes even a common dining area. Cohousing is definitely for you if you value social interactions and a sense of community. In addition, cohousing is also a sustainable form of living due to the sharing of common areas.
In this article, you will learn more about the differences between cohousing and coliving.
New forms of housing: Tiny Houses
Tiny Houses are becoming increasingly popular, including in Flanders. They are often small, sustainable houses in a fixed location or on wheels. They are meant to promote a minimalist lifestyle, focusing on simplicity and a small ecological footprint.
When you choose a tiny house, you would like to escape consumer culture and simplify your life.
Find out more about tiny houses in this article and see if it’s for you.
Kangaroo home
A kangaroo home is a type of home in which two or more independent living units are housed under the same roof. With a kangaroo home, it is often that two different households are formed within a family. For example, a kangaroo home is often shared between parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren.
Each household does have its own living space, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. The purpose of a kangaroo house is to allow several generations within the same family to live close together, which facilitates care for elderly relatives.
Modular home
A modular home is built using modules or components that are made at the factory and assembled quickly and efficiently at the construction site. The modules consist of major parts of the home such as walls, floors, ceilings, kitchens and more.
The individual modules are easily tailored to the needs of the property owner. For example, the components can be customized based on size, design and layout. On top of that, it is also an environmentally conscious choice through the use of sustainable materials.
Some modular homes are designed so that they can be moved to a new location over time. The modules are then disassembled and rebuilt in the new location.
New forms of housing: container house
A container home has long been used as a housing solution in certain circumstances such as during the construction or renovation of your home. Nevertheless, container homes are part of the future new forms of living. A container home can easily serve as starter homes for young couples as offices and even hotels.
Converting containers into homes usually involves insulating and finishing the interior, installing windows and doors, as well as the necessary plumbing and electrical systems. The result is a functional and habitable space that meets residential comfort standards.
Residential parts
Home sharing is especially popular these days among befriending couples and young families. Here you buy a house together and share the costs. In the city, this makes it easier to buy a more expensive and larger house with several rooms and bathrooms.
However, it is important to make good arrangements in advance. For example, some couples have divided the different floors by family to give each other enough space and privacy.
Flex living
Flex living is a housing concept that focuses on providing flexible and adaptable housing to adapt to the changing needs of residents. Flex living often focuses on temporary housing.
Flex housing is often designed to be adaptable to the changing needs of its occupants. This can mean that the spaces are multifunctional and can be adapted for different purposes. For example, you can divide a large space into smaller areas for children’s rooms and then remove the separation afterwards.
Thus, many new housing options have emerged in recent years. These new housing options take into account people’s changing needs and lifestyles. Whether you choose cohousing, a tiny house or a container home, you can find it all in Flanders.