Empty Houses, New Beginnings: Turning Ancestral Homes into Weekend Retreats

Across Kerala, a subtle lifestyle shift is taking place. For many people, the rhythm of life is beginning to mirror that of developed countries: work hard during the weekdays from Monday to Friday, and reserve the weekends for relaxation, food, travel and family time. This cultural shift is influencing the way people think about homes. Increasingly, architects are receiving requests for weekend homes or holiday retreats located away from the noise and pressure of city life. Many dreams of a peaceful escape, perhaps by a riverbank, beside a quiet lake, or near the calm shade of a forest. Interestingly, the perfect weekend retreat might already exist within the family.

The Hidden Potential of Ancestral Homes

Across Kerala, countless ancestral houses built by previous generations now sit locked and unused. Parents built them with dreams of family gatherings, but as children moved to cities or abroad, many of these homes were left empty. Instead of letting these houses fade into silence, they can be given a new life as weekend homes. Imagine the transformation: silent rooms filled again with laughter, courtyards echoing with children’s games, and family members reconnecting in the same spaces where earlier generations once lived.

Reviving an ancestral house for weekend use doesn't require massive investment. Since it is not a permanent residence, simple improvements are often enough:

• Repair structural issues
• Fresh paint for the walls
• Basic furnishing
• Comfortable lighting and ventilation

That’s usually all it takes to make the house welcoming again.

A Smart Investment Opportunity

When the owners are not using the house, it can easily become an income-generating property. Many people today prefer renting quiet countryside homes for short holidays. Through online booking platforms, these homes can be rented out to travellers looking for peaceful weekend escapes. This way, the house remains active, maintained and financially useful.

Keep It Simple: The Spirit of a Weekend Home

A weekend home should not feel like another responsibility. The goal is relaxation, not maintenance. That’s why such homes do not need all the facilities of a regular house. In fact, making the house too large or too complicated often becomes a burden. A few thoughtful design choices can make the space more enjoyable:

Smaller Kitchens Work Better

A compact kitchen is more than enough. Weekends are meant for relaxing, not cooking elaborate meals. And today, food delivery services reach even remote locations.

Larger Common Spaces

Instead of multiple bedrooms, a large hall works better. Families enjoy sitting together, watching movies, chatting late into the night, and children love sleeping together during trips.

Spaces for Fun

Weekend homes should encourage recreation and bonding. Consider including:

• A small swimming pool
• A billiards table
• Table tennis
• Board game seating areas in the courtyard or balcony

A barbecue station is almost a must for weekend gatherings.

Enjoy the Freedom

If the house is located within a large plot of land, you can relax without worrying about disturbing neighbours. Music, laughter, and late-night conversations can happen freely, something that is rarely possible in crowded city apartments.

Breathing Life Back into Old Walls

Transforming an unused ancestral house into a weekend retreat is more than just a practical idea. It is a way to reconnect with family roots, revive memories, and create new ones for the next generation. Instead of standing locked and forgotten, these houses can once again become places filled with warmth, laughter, and life. Sometimes, the perfect holiday destination isn’t far away.