Unusual box of vertical space in master bedroom. What to do with it?

3 years ago

Our new master bedroom has an ensuite, and a very tall ceiling - 15 foot at its highest point.

However, the ensuite is a box within the master bedroom - look at the photos below to see what I mean. It's quite strange!

We're not sure what to do with that space. In our dream world, with an unlimited budget, we would install a new floor, new stairs in the stairway, and convert the loft, to create a new floor. Sadly, that's quite far out of reach!

Here are some other options we've thought of:

1) Leave it as it is. Use it as storage space to put stuff on top. Advantage: it makes the room look bigger. Disadvantage: it's quite a strange layout!

2) Board up the ensuite walls to the ceiling, so the ensuite looks less like a box. Advantage: the room will feel like it has a much more natural layout. One builder suggested putting in subtle doors, so we could still use it as storage space, but hide it from view. Disadvantage: will it make the room look smaller?

3) Any other inspired ideas? Would love to hear what you think!

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Comments (3)

Katie Duke
3 years ago
Plants! Trailing plants, either fake or real and plenty of them. I think you could combine your two ideas - to use the space for storage and to build up the walls. My suggestion is to build up the walls to the ceiling but don't have them meeting the existing walls flush build up from on top of the en suite and set in a bit. So create a window ledge width on those two walls where you have the ensuite roof now. Use the ledge for plants or other decorative objects - you could even cover the new walls with a mirrored surface. I think this would minimise the potential overbearing quality of building straight up and using trailing plants would give visual interest part way down the wall and draw your eye back down into the room. You will have to work out how to get your items in/out of new cupboard! Maybe a nice looking ladder which could be feature itself?
HT T thanked Katie Duke
HT T
Original Author
3 years ago
Katie - we love this idea! What a clever idea! Thank you so much!
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Hi Emma, there are a few considerations required before coming up with a solution. The budget is crucial, as moving the whole bathroom, as Sam suggested, (which would be my solution if money is no object), would require moving the soil pipe and changing its connection to the sewer. So the position of the existing soil pipe is important. Is it on the inside or outside of the house? Outside would be best! Where does it connect to the sewer pipe? Is there a manhole near to the existing soil pipe? What type of floor joists have been used and their sizes? Which direction do the joists go? If you want to move the whole en-suite, then the joists would ideally need to run across from the garden room wall, in line with the label Bedroom One, so that the shower and basin waste pipes can go under the floor between the joists. You could put the shower on a plinth and box off the waste, but it is not ideal, it makes the space look cramped with lots of boxing running along the floor/ wall. Then you need to know what space is like in the area directly above where the en-suite will be positioned for electrical installation, air extraction, lighting etc. a flat roof or eaves junctions are is far more difficult to work with. Putting the en suite on the wall backing the stairs allows you to put the bed facing the front of the house or on the wall where the en-suite is now. Hope this is not too confusing, but anything can be achieved if you have the money! Best wishes vernon
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PRO
The Kitchen Lady UK
3 years ago
I think a vintage ladder and turning it into a reading nook with carpet and beanbags. perhaps build a small parapet to hide this or also if you use it for storage.

Unusual box of vertical space in master bedroom. What to do with it?

Comments (3)

Katie Duke

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Unusual box of vertical space in master bedroom. What to do with it?

Comments (3)

Katie Duke

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