This Is How You Squeeze In a Master Suite (That Even Feels Roomy)
Fitting an en suite or walk-in wardrobe into your main bedroom – but only just? Use these tricks to make the space grow
Lucy Searle
12 December 2017
Houzz Contributor. Editor in Chief of RealHomes.com. I am an editor, journalist, web and copywriter. I was Editor of the hugely successful www.channel4.com/4homes, taking it from a small site to a leading brand. I was also founding Editor of Channel 4’s 4Homes magazine, was Associate Editor at Ideal Home and have written for MSN, Huffington Post, Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Beautiful Kitchens, House Beautiful, Good Homes, and many women’s titles. I founded www.tailoredcontent.co.uk with a fellow journalist and together we blog, write web content and run social media accounts for (mostly) interiors companies. As a general rule, I write about everything from buying and selling property, self build, DIY, design and consumer issues to gardening but have tackled travel and family...
Houzz Contributor. Editor in Chief of RealHomes.com. I am an editor, journalist,... More
A master suite is the ultimate luxury, with an extra bathroom adding to your home’s desirability or a walk-in wardrobe bumping up your bedroom’s storage capacity. However, if you’re having to shoehorn them in, then the en suite, the bedroom or, indeed, the entire space might feel more compromised than classy – unless, that is, you try these clever space-stretching ideas. Some are borrowed from larger rooms, but all are shrinkable to work in smaller areas.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Build a partition wall
If your bedroom is long and narrow, pull the bed forwards a couple of metres and imagine floor-to-ceiling storage across the back wall behind it. Then picture a partition behind the bedhead that divides off the two zones, and you’ve conjured up a fantasy walk-in wardrobe, like this one.
The partition wall here is deeper than needs be in a smaller room, but the feature wallpaper – which is dominant in the bedroom area (see next photo) – does what it should in drawing attention to the bed, rather than what’s behind it.
If your bedroom is long and narrow, pull the bed forwards a couple of metres and imagine floor-to-ceiling storage across the back wall behind it. Then picture a partition behind the bedhead that divides off the two zones, and you’ve conjured up a fantasy walk-in wardrobe, like this one.
The partition wall here is deeper than needs be in a smaller room, but the feature wallpaper – which is dominant in the bedroom area (see next photo) – does what it should in drawing attention to the bed, rather than what’s behind it.
The bedroom side of the partition.
Knock through
Considering knocking two bedrooms into one – perhaps combining your main bedroom with the boxroom next door? Don’t just put a modest doorway between the two spaces: go for something much more ambitious.
This mirrored partition does several jobs: it provides privacy, creates definition in an open-plan space, reflects light and is a great focal point.
Alternatives? Replace the mirror with a convincing electric fire inset in a half-wall or amid display shelving.
Considering knocking two bedrooms into one – perhaps combining your main bedroom with the boxroom next door? Don’t just put a modest doorway between the two spaces: go for something much more ambitious.
This mirrored partition does several jobs: it provides privacy, creates definition in an open-plan space, reflects light and is a great focal point.
Alternatives? Replace the mirror with a convincing electric fire inset in a half-wall or amid display shelving.
Hide the en suite in a cupboard
If your boxroom is teeny, a narrow doorway leading off the bedroom and into your new en suite might look more natural.
But don’t stop there: instead of wasting space around the doorway, why not make it part of a storage wall, with sliding wardrobe doors built either side and across it, so that when they’re pulled shut, the bathroom space is neatly hidden behind them?
Here, horizontal stripes on the doors accentuate the room’s width, too.
Read reviews of carpenters and joiners in your area.
If your boxroom is teeny, a narrow doorway leading off the bedroom and into your new en suite might look more natural.
But don’t stop there: instead of wasting space around the doorway, why not make it part of a storage wall, with sliding wardrobe doors built either side and across it, so that when they’re pulled shut, the bathroom space is neatly hidden behind them?
Here, horizontal stripes on the doors accentuate the room’s width, too.
Read reviews of carpenters and joiners in your area.
Exploit top light in a narrow space
It might be that, with the aid of a sliding door and partition wall, you can just about squeeze a windowless shower room to one side of your bed. But how to stop it feeling like an airless cupboard? By exploiting light from above.
For best effect, fit a roof light; failing that, investigate whether a sun pipe could be installed. For night time, good artificial lighting will work wonders – as will light-reflective surfaces, such as white tiles.
It might be that, with the aid of a sliding door and partition wall, you can just about squeeze a windowless shower room to one side of your bed. But how to stop it feeling like an airless cupboard? By exploiting light from above.
For best effect, fit a roof light; failing that, investigate whether a sun pipe could be installed. For night time, good artificial lighting will work wonders – as will light-reflective surfaces, such as white tiles.
Install a glazed partition
Considering putting a bath in your bedroom? It’s a trend that’s still beloved by some boutique hotels, but there are distinct drawbacks long-term, including bedroom surfaces being prone to condensation, damp and splashes.
So if you like this look, but want a more practical approach, try dividing the bathing and bedroom zones with a glazed wall. Here, black metal frames create a definite distinction. Check the glass is building regs compliant before you buy.
Considering putting a bath in your bedroom? It’s a trend that’s still beloved by some boutique hotels, but there are distinct drawbacks long-term, including bedroom surfaces being prone to condensation, damp and splashes.
So if you like this look, but want a more practical approach, try dividing the bathing and bedroom zones with a glazed wall. Here, black metal frames create a definite distinction. Check the glass is building regs compliant before you buy.
Divide with a shower wall
You don’t have to create two distinct spaces if you’re putting a bathroom in a bedroom – open-plan can work, as long as you have the right ventilation. And you can save on the bathroom area’s footprint by doing away with a full-depth wall and substituting it with a thin partition, lined with a shower.
All-through flooring and repetition of materials serves to make the space feel bigger, while exposing roof beams exaggerates ceiling height.
You don’t have to create two distinct spaces if you’re putting a bathroom in a bedroom – open-plan can work, as long as you have the right ventilation. And you can save on the bathroom area’s footprint by doing away with a full-depth wall and substituting it with a thin partition, lined with a shower.
All-through flooring and repetition of materials serves to make the space feel bigger, while exposing roof beams exaggerates ceiling height.
Use wall space wisely
Two half-walls divide this shower room from the bedroom beyond – and both walls make the absolute most of the space available. One, in the darkest part of the room, becomes a side wall of a shower partition; the other, in the lighter, central part of the room, holds a feature vanity unit.
Wall-hung furniture like this performs a clever trick: it provides storage, but leaves the floor free, which makes the room seem bigger.
Two half-walls divide this shower room from the bedroom beyond – and both walls make the absolute most of the space available. One, in the darkest part of the room, becomes a side wall of a shower partition; the other, in the lighter, central part of the room, holds a feature vanity unit.
Wall-hung furniture like this performs a clever trick: it provides storage, but leaves the floor free, which makes the room seem bigger.
Zone with a headboard
Forget half-walls or full partitions – why not divide your dressing and bathing area from your sleep space with a floor-to-ceiling headboard?
This boutique hotel-chic example is so successful because the materials used to build it are carried through to the dressing area beyond, but you needn’t spend a fortune on hardwood when the same effect could be built with softwood by a skilled carpenter, then stained or painted to suit your scheme.
It’s also a good option to consider if you don’t have enough space for the idea pictured in the first photo.
Forget half-walls or full partitions – why not divide your dressing and bathing area from your sleep space with a floor-to-ceiling headboard?
This boutique hotel-chic example is so successful because the materials used to build it are carried through to the dressing area beyond, but you needn’t spend a fortune on hardwood when the same effect could be built with softwood by a skilled carpenter, then stained or painted to suit your scheme.
It’s also a good option to consider if you don’t have enough space for the idea pictured in the first photo.
Split the space with wardrobes
Another clever way to separate and zone your master suite is with wardrobes. To make the look work, floor-to-almost-ceiling wardrobes will help to exaggerate the ceiling height while creating a definite division.
You’ll need to ensure the wardrobes are safely fixed to the floor so they don’t topple, and that any visible wardrobe backs are smartly lined.
Another clever way to separate and zone your master suite is with wardrobes. To make the look work, floor-to-almost-ceiling wardrobes will help to exaggerate the ceiling height while creating a definite division.
You’ll need to ensure the wardrobes are safely fixed to the floor so they don’t topple, and that any visible wardrobe backs are smartly lined.
Cheat a master suite
If you’re on a budget and can’t quite stretch to knocking down walls to transform two smallish bedrooms into one large master suite, you could create the impression of one using décor.
Here, the same flooring and colour scheme, carried from the bedroom through into the hallway and on into the bathroom – plus a clever pull-out storage unit for shampoos and lotions on the landing – unite the two spaces without none of the extra spend or hassle.
Tell us…
How would you create enough space for an en suite in your home? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
If you’re on a budget and can’t quite stretch to knocking down walls to transform two smallish bedrooms into one large master suite, you could create the impression of one using décor.
Here, the same flooring and colour scheme, carried from the bedroom through into the hallway and on into the bathroom – plus a clever pull-out storage unit for shampoos and lotions on the landing – unite the two spaces without none of the extra spend or hassle.
Tell us…
How would you create enough space for an en suite in your home? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Professional Advice
10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bed Linen
Should you pick crisp cotton or rumpled linen – and does thread count really matter? Bed linen can be baffling – here's all you need to know
Full Story
Colour
8 Ways to Work a Rust Red and Blue Palette in the Bedroom
By Kate Burt
We’re seeing variations of this combination all over Houzz right now. Check out these tips for trying it yourself
Full Story
Kitchens
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
Professional Advice
The Secret to Choosing a Good Mattress
We spend a third of our lives asleep, so investing in a quality mattress is essential. Check out this expert advice to help you choose yours
Full Story
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Bedrooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your bedroom from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
How to Achieve ‘Barely There’ Bedroom Storage
By Kate Burt
Let your bedroom feel serene by keeping your storage discreet
Full Story
More Rooms
7 Key Elements for a Well-functioning Bedroom
By Kate Burt
Getting these essential details right will ensure your bedroom is user-friendly and enjoyable to spend time in
Full Story
More Rooms
How to Warm Up a Neutral Bedroom
By Kate Burt
Neutral shouldn’t be a byword for boring. Here’s how the professionals keep muted colours interesting
Full Story
More Rooms
The 10 Most Popular Bedrooms on Houzz in the First Half of 2023
Get ideas for revamping your sleep space from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
More Rooms
How to Create a Calm, Relaxing Bedroom
Follow these 9 easy suggestions to set the scene for a good night’s sleep
Full Story
So how do you deal with the damp? When I shower the whole shower room is covered in condensation even with the extractor on. En suites which are not fully enclosed must do the same. I’m with chemistrykaren re en suites. Lights going on and doors squeaking, however quietly one tries to move, must disturb the other person in the room.
These examples can hardly be described as 'just about fitting in' a master suite - they're mostly very large rooms or 2 rooms! It suggests that a 'standard' master must be 3 whole rooms (Bed, Dressing & En-suite). In that context then ok, maybe :)
Well organized space!