By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon
Besides the bedroom, a private bathroom is an essential part of a master suite. The use of luxurious finishes adds to the sense of escape from the pressures of daily life — a sanctum where adults can relax. (See Pictures of this Master Bedroom Remodel)
One of the most frequent items seen on our clients’ wish lists is a master suite. Master bedroom and bath suites are a relatively recent trend in home design, so most older homes do not have them. And in our experience, the master bedroom and bath often becomes the crown jewel of the renovation.
This happens because people love their master suites. One of our clients, Donna Bates, will tell you what her life was like before she got a master suite: “We just had this little bedroom that was the same as all the other little bedrooms in the house, and we had to share a bathroom with the kids,” she says. With her eight kids, we should point out.
But now that Donna has a master bedroom and bathroom, she calls it her “little sanctuary.” For the Bates, like most of our clients, the master suite becomes a sanity space that is off limits to the rest of the family, an inner sanctum where adults can relax.
The third element of a master suite is a walk-in closet. By using a variety of options for hanging or folding clothes, organizing shoes and storing luggage and other things this space can be attractive as well as functional. (See Pictures of this Master Bedroom Remodel)
(See Luxurious Master Bedroom Designs)
(See Luxurious Master Bathroom Pictures)
There are two ways to get a master bedroom and bathroom: Rearrange or add on. If you have an extra bedroom in the vicinity of your master bedroom, this space can be transformed into the master bath and closet. Or you can add a master bedroom and bathroom to the first floor by expanding into the yard, if your yard can accommodate such an addition. Alternately, you can consider adding a second story, which will mean a major renovation to your roof and giving up space on the main floor to add a staircase.
A typical master suite consists of three functions: A bedroom large enough to fit a king size bed, a couple pieces of furniture, and possibly a sitting area; a bathroom with a separate shower and tub, two sinks, and a toilet (often within its own room); and the master closet, which is typically a walk-in closet with built-in organizers.
All this will require about 400 to 800 square feet and will cost about $150 per square foot for a remodel and about $220 per square foot for an addition. The cost per square foot tends to be higher than in other parts of the house (except the kitchen) because a master bathroom often includes more luxurious fixtures and finishes—from a jetted tub and granite-lined steam shower to a private fireplace to cedar or mahogany closet organizers. On the other hand, a master bedroom and bathroom helps resale value and you may eventually get much of that money back.
Of course you don’t have to go all out with your master suite if your budget won’t allow, but you will want to add at least a few touches of luxury so the master suite truly becomes your inner sanctum. Giving yourself the treat of a space all your own is truly a “suite” deal! As always, we welcome your home architect design questions at as*@re*******************.com.