Whatever your motivation, sharing can make housing more affordable and give you more bang for your buck. And even if sharing isn’t on your current agenda, adding in features that suit dual occupancy design will help future-proof your new home should things change down the track.

So how do two homes in one work? Separation is key.

• Having independent entries into the home is a practical design feature that enables everyone to come and go as if they were in a separate home. This could be as simple as swapping windows for sliding doors in the bedroom, providing the room can be easily accessed from the street.
• Making the bedroom in the independent zone big enough for a small couch, and maybe even a desk, so that it becomes more of a studio space.
• The addition of a kitchenette in a second sitting room – maybe one that adjoins the bedroom – would further increase the studio vibe.
• A space in the kitchenette just big enough for a washing machine would complete an independent set-up.