More St. Louis families are choosing to add a private suite for an aging parent, an adult child, or long-term guests rather than move to a bigger house. It keeps everyone close while giving each generation their own space. Before you get to floor plans, though, it helps to think through how the suite will actually be lived in day to day.
Start with how the suite will be used
An in-law suite built for an active parent who wants independence looks different from one built for a parent who may need more support down the road. Think about whether the suite should function as its own small home, with a kitchenette and separate entrance, or as more of an extension of the main house, sharing some common space. Anzac often walks clients through this question early, since it shapes almost every decision that follows.
Privacy and shared space
A well-planned suite gives both households a sense of separation, even under one roof. A private entrance, a buffer like a mudroom or short hallway between the suite and the main living area, and sound-conscious construction between shared walls all go a long way. At the same time, many families want a connecting door or shared porch so visiting still feels easy and natural, not like knocking on a stranger’s door.
Building for the years ahead, not just today
A suite designed only for current needs can fall short later. Wider doorways, a zero-step entry, and a curbless shower cost little extra to plan for up front, but retrofitting them after the fact is far more disruptive. Even if accessibility is not an immediate need, designing with it in mind protects the investment as circumstances change.
Zoning comes before design
Not every municipality in the St. Louis area treats an in-law suite the same way. Some allow a second kitchen and separate entrance without issue, while others have restrictions tied to accessory dwelling unit rules or utility hookups. Confirming what your specific municipality allows before design work begins saves a round of redesign later.
Where to go from here
If an in-law suite feels like the right fit for your family, the next step is a conversation about your home’s layout, your municipality’s rules, and how your family actually plans to use the space. Explore Anzac’s residential additions services to see how a design-build approach keeps design, permitting, and construction working together from day one. For readers who are ready to talk numbers, our guide on home addition costs in St. Louis is the natural next read.