When Grown Kids Return to the Nest ...

After your children leave home, it’s likely that you’ve packed up the trophies and posters on the wall and converted their bedrooms into an office, sewing room or even a guest bedroom.

When an adult child returns to live with you, a struggle for space and comfort might show up, too. A few space-saving techniques that won’t involve an emotional battle or pricey home remodel can help smooth the transition for all.

Privacy and Boundaries

A grown child returning home may cause a stir of emotions for the entire family. Clear-cut expectations and communication, along with defining space and boundaries, can help the family adjust to what seems like a return to the past but is, in reality, a whole new ballgame.

Before boxes are unpacked, it’s important to establish separate living areas to allow for privacy, says John Duffy, Chicago-based family therapist and author of "The Available Parent."

“Privacy becomes a greater issue now, for both parents and adult child, than it was even a few years back,” Duffy said. “All of them are, after all, adults now.”

Consider the best option for your family. Some possibilities are converting the basement into a makeshift apartment or repurposing the home office into a bedroom so that the adult child has a designated space to call his own. Discuss preferences for using shared living space, too, so that mom can watch her favorite TV shows and dad can cook up his special meals in the kitchen without interruption. Designate times for laundry use, too.

It is also important to head off potential culture clashes by discussing schedules and routines, Duffy recommends. “I work with a 24-year-old man who moved back in with his parents after finishing college, and as it turns out, he and his parents keep very different hours,” Duffy said. “Most of the conflict I’ve witnessed takes place in this area, so hours and expectations need to be clarified and agreed upon as early in the arrangement as possible.”

Money obligations also need to be addressed before the moving date. Work out a plan to designate a comprehensive rent payment or divide household expenses to cover groceries, laundry detergent and utilities. “The idea is to agree upon as many variables as possible up front to avoid disagreements and resentments later,” Duffy said.

Delegate some tasks for the duration of the adult child’s stay. Fran Walfish, Los Angeles-based family therapist and author of "The Self-Aware Parent,” recommends delegating chores and tasks that meet the needs of the entire household.

“Explain to your adult son or daughter that sharing a house means sharing the load,” Walfish said. “Stick to doing regular commitments each day or week. The more structured and routine the plan, the better it is facilitated and achieved.”

Older parents might appreciate help with strenuous outdoor landscaping and lawn maintenance, as well as assistance with meal preparation on designated days.

Basking in the Benefits

Although it may not be ideal to share your space with an adult child, the benefits of having your son or daughter set up camp in your home may outweigh -- or at least balance -- the inconvenience.

Financial strain goes both ways. An adult child returning home may be able to boost the bottom line as his parents struggle to make ends meet.

“One family I know finds a true economy of scale in multiple generations living together for a time,” said John Duffy, Chicago-based family therapist. “The parents were nearly underwater in their mortgage, and having their daughter live with them and share expenses has proven greatly beneficial.”

An extra hand to help with laundry, yard work, errands and meal preparation can come as a welcome surprise. An adult child may also have more experience with technology, computers and electronics, prompting educational opportunities for parents.

The additional companionship an adult child often provides is one of the biggest rewards, though. Gina Samarotto of Samarotto Design Group says the relationship may even develop more when sharing living space.

“When kids become adults, the relationship -- while still certainly familial -- also takes on a friendship that isn’t possible between a child and an adult,” she said. “Cultivate that friendship and enjoy the rewards of raising such great adults.”

Repurposing Living Space

If space is tight and a redecorating project is required to prepare for your adult child’s return, get the entire household involved in repurposing the existing living space.

Creating comfortable living spaces and maintaining an overall cohesive aesthetic throughout the house is intrinsic to everyone’s happiness, says Gina Samarotto of Poughkeepsie, New York-based Samarotto Design Group.

“In a living room or family room, choosing a color palette that everyone can live with will help make the space more welcoming to all that use it,” Samarotto said. “A fresh coat of paint in a modern hue gives any space new life.”

A light, neutral color for living room and bedroom walls opens up small rooms. Avoid painting one wall a different accent color because this can make the space look smaller.

The bedroom should offer a sense of privacy as well as an organized living space for your adult child. “Rethink the old kid bedroom into a space where an adult can be comfortable,” Samarotto said. “A platform bed with storage, short bookcases or trunks that serve as nightstands, and closet organizers all help control clutter.”

If the room is big enough, create a sitting/work area to make the space feel more like a living area rather than a space only to sleep.

When space is tight, it might be necessary to convert a den or even a dining room into a suitable bedroom for your returning grown-up child. Lauri Ward, founder of Use What You Have Interiors, with offices in New York and Boca Raton, Florida, recommends hanging a curtain from the ceiling to the floor to divide the space.

“A heavy velvet or cotton duck curtain works best because it serves as both a visual and acoustic barrier,” Ward said. “A Murphy bed wall unit can also provide drawers, a closet and even a desk surface, all useful for one-room living. Each of these elements saves space and will be useful after the adult child leaves.”

If a twin bed is being used, Ward recommends adding a solid, cotton fitted cover and a few matching, large European pillows and covers instead of a blanket or duvet. “This creates a tailored sofa effect that can make the room feel more like a studio apartment,” Ward said.

The key to making best use of small spaces is to add multifunctional storage pieces in the rooms. An ottoman that opens can store clothing or papers, while a pair of end tables with drawers or shelves can hold underwear and socks while supporting table lamps. Consider placing a small bureau in a closet to save space in the room, too.

“The less clutter, the more open and airy the space will feel,” Ward said.