How to create a well-designed bedroom master suite

Innovative ideas to inspire your ideal bedroom design.

Since we spend almost a third of our lives in our bedrooms, it makes sense to ensure that this is a well considered part of a project’s design. Master bedrooms should be relaxing and calm; an en suite in at least one bedroom is considered the norm in the design of any new-build and more renovators are prepared to sacrifice a box bedroom to create the space to fit in a hotel-style suite.

Anyone starting from scratch, either with a self-build or an extension or loft conversion, will have more flexibility with the layout of a master suite and even perhaps the size. If you are renovating an existing room, you may be able to pinch space from other areas. Perhaps an adjacent bedroom could be made smaller or an unused airing cupboard, storage space or even part of the landing might be incorporated to increase the size of the bedroom.

 

Add a bathroom

You don’t need planning permission for an en-suite bathroom (unless it is part of an extension), but you will need Building Regulations approval.

While anything is possible, the existing plumbing will influence how complicated and expensive your project will be. The position of your en suite in relation to the nearest soil pipe is a key factor; if the planned bathroom is on the other side of the house from any existing plumbing, you may run into di culties. When it comes to feeding pipework to the new space, be prepared to have to chase out walls from rooms below or lift up floorboards.

‘As an en suite is typically more private than other areas of the house, you can let your imagination run wild,’ says Neil Curtis, senior designer at Ripples (ripplesbathrooms.com). ‘There are so many ways that you can personalise the bathroom that I wouldstart here, then take elements of the design and roll these out into the bedroom.’

 

Go open plan

An enduring trend, especially with hotel-style schemes, is to go for an open-plan layout. While this can look very impressive, it is important to take a few things into consideration during the planning stage. Think about who is going to be using the bathroom. Do you want it to be completely open? If so, you might want to position the WC behind a small privacy wall, or at least not in full view of the bed.

Another option is to have the bath positioned as a feature in the room with the other fixtures and fittings placed out of sight behind a screen. If you don’t want to separate the en-suite facilities from the sleeping space, but would like to provide privacy, you can zone the areas with a discreet partition or even a half wall. A central column, with perhaps built-in wardrobes one side and basins the other, will define the zones and let in light, while still retaining an open-plan look. Placing the headboard against one side, so your bed is facing away from the bathroom is another option.

 

Create more space

A loft conversion is a great way of creating a master suite and it is often possible to do this with minimum impact on the floor below. Factor between £23,000 and £31,500 for an average loft conversion. Another option is to use part of the loft space above a bedroom to create a mezzanine level for a bathroom and/or dressing area. If you are looking to install a mezzanine, a minimum head height of 2.1m is usually recommended for sleeping areas. ‘The first step with a loft conversion is toascertain whether planning permission or a Lawful Development Certificate is required,’ says Steve Mills, founder of A1 Lofts and Extensions (0800 019 2678; a1pms.co.uk). ‘You may generally increase loft space under permitted development rights by 50 cubic metres in detached and semi-detached houses, and by 40 cubic metres in a terraced property,’ he says.

‘Vaulted ceilings can be accommodated in 30 per cent of conversions, if there is sufficient height,’ Mills continues. ‘The best alternative is to have a dormer to the rear to create the required head height.’