A new report has found the Aussie dream of owning a home may be out of reach as house prices continue to soar, meaning couples can expect to have to make room for their adult children and their grandparents.
Despite a push by the government and urban planners for apartment living, most people desire more space and would prefer another bedroom or extra storage room, instead of more money, a pet or even a maid, researchers found.
The Future of Australian Homes in 2111 report, by social researcher Mark McCrindle, found that in 2111 the number of people sharing a home would double or treble.
Nearly 40 per cent of respondents polled for the study, funded by Grace Removals Group, said there would be four people living in the average Australian home, and 20 per cent saying there would be six.
Mr McCrindle said people could see house prices becoming out of reach and were ready to look after their own parents into old age.
"It gives a vote to the McMansion - it's not environmentally unsustainable when it's accommodating more people," he said.
"People have heard so much of the ageing population, the rising unaffordability, and based on that, people are prepared to have the kids at home longer and we expect parents to move in with us."
ABS statistics show the average dwelling has 2.6 residents and 1.48 generations.
Mr McCrindle said the study showed Australians were reluctant to give up their backyards and their own bedrooms.
"We like the freedom and the mobility of being able to store stuff, to have a room that's who we are - despite the talk of us moving to a smaller existence," he said.
"Town planners and government leaders are talking about high density housing, we are moving to a megacity existence - but it is not the Aussie dream."
According to the poll, those who had upsized were more excited about moving than those who had downsized.
Those who upsized were more likely to say the main reason for their move was to live in a better home than those whose home size stayed the same or became smaller.
Domenic Brunetta, 26, lived with his partner and his father in a two-bedroom house for three years until he had saved enough money to buy a home of his own just 15 minutes away from his dad.
Mr Brunetta bought a four-bedroom house, big enough, he thinks, for his own brood.
"The thought of my kids living with me until they are 27 makes me think I better get a six-bedroom house if that is how it's going to go," he said.
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