En-suite bathrooms are a tremendous addition to a home’s value, comfort, and convenience.
However, a lot of planning goes into designing and executing them. Depending on where you want to build one, you may or may not require a permit.
Next, you need to acquire fixtures and fittings, and figure out the plumbing and electric work.
This guide will walk you through it all. Let’s begin with what an en-suite bathroom is.
What Is an En-Suite Bathroom?
The term ‘en-suite’ has its roots in the French language, in which it was defined as ‘following’ or ‘afterwards.’
Later on, it was adopted by the English language but hosted a somewhat different meaning.
In modern English, en-suite means ‘connected’ or ‘in room.’
Coming back to ‘en-suite bathroom,’ the word should make more sense now. It refers to a bathroom that’s connected to or situated in another room.
In other words, the bathroom is an extension of the bedroom itself. Some people call it an attached bathroom instead.
Back in the day, it was common for family members to have a single, shared bathroom.
An individual would have to leave their bedroom and go down the hallway to reach the bathroom. Times have since changed for the better.
Today, people associate en-suite bathrooms with luxury, comfort, and privacy. This wasn’t an abrupt transition.
It’s a result of thousands of years of social change and civil engineering.
Thanks to the invention of indoor plumbing, electricity, water supply, etc., bathrooms are no longer just functional spaces.
An en-suite bathroom is now viewed as a private haven of luxury and relaxation.
Types of En-Suite Bathrooms
There are several types of en-suite bathrooms, tailored to suit different needs and preferences. Here are a few examples:
- Compact En-Suite Bathroom: Ideal for smaller homes or apartments with limited space, this type features only the bare essentials—a toilet, shower, and sink—while still providing the convenience of a private bathroom attached to the bedroom.
- Classic En-Suite Bathroom: This design includes a toilet, shower or bathtub, and sink. The classic en-suite bathroom is often constructed with a balance of functionality and style, making it a comfortable space for daily use.
- Luxury En-Suite Bathroom: For those who desire an upscale and indulgent bathroom experience, the luxury en-suite bathroom features high-end fixtures and lavish amenities. Here, you may find elements like a double vanity, a freestanding tub, a walk-in shower, heated floors, and even a bidet.
Pros and Cons of an En-Suite Bathroom
Now that you have a fair idea about what an en-suite bathroom is, let’s study the pros and cons of adding one to your property:
Pros
The advantages of adding an en-suite bathroom include:
Privacy and Convenience
An en-suite bathroom offers you unmatched privacy and convenience.
With a private bathroom attached to your bedroom, you don’t have to worry about sharing the space with anyone else. This allows you to enjoy comfort and solitude when getting ready for the day or unwinding after a long day.
Peaceful Family Atmosphere
Not having sufficient functional space for a growing family is often the biggest contributor to everyday family drama.
This is particularly true when there’s only one family bathroom on a single floor.
If you have multiple kids, they’ll desire their own space as they grow up. When everyone’s getting late in the morning, bickering and fighting become inevitable.
Adding one or more en-suite bathrooms is the only effective way to avoid this.
When everyone has their own space to get ready, the overall family atmosphere should be a lot more peaceful.
Helps Achieve That Personal Touch
Since a family bathroom is used by everyone in the family, you can’t achieve personalization there.
It won’t allow for individual preferences and the convenience you so desire.
By adding an en-suite bathroom, you can bring to life your creative, personal touch.
It allows you to arrange personal items and add various accents such as the color of the tiles, the arrangement of the fixtures, etc. exactly the way you want.
An en-suite bathroom that’s best designed to work for you may even serve as a refuge from worldly stress.
You’ll come to view it as your personal hide-out to escape from everything that irks you.
Increased Home Value
This is the simplest, most motivating reason to add an en-suite bathroom. It increases the value of your home!
As modern setups, en-suite bathrooms are highly desired by families nowadays.
Therefore, potential homebuyers look upon them favorably and are willing to pay a higher price for them.
It will help your home stand out in a sea of similar houses in the region. Remember, higher demand automatically puts you in a much better position to negotiate pricing.
An Opportunity to Add Luxury
Gone are the days when people viewed bathrooms solely as functional spaces.
The extraordinary en-suite bathroom designs forming part of stunning interior designs in hotels are fast shaping expectations.
People now prefer lavish fittings and furnishings even in bathrooms. Adding an en-suite bathroom to your home is a great way to replicate the trend.
An en-suite bathroom can incorporate specialized features and amenities, such as heated floors, rainfall showerheads, or even a sauna, elevating the overall comfort and luxury of your living space.
Your at-home bathing experience will be just as satisfying as you would expect from a seven-star hotel.
But again, you’ll need to leverage personalization. Think about your design preferences, and what makes a dream en-suite bathroom that you will be excited to enter each morning.
Safety during the Night
An en-suite bathroom is also a great solution for those who don’t like the idea of wandering around at night.
Going up or down the stairs to the bathroom in the dark, especially when you’re sleepy, can be dangerous.
Children could be at even greater risk. Hence, it’s best to have a bathroom close to your children’s room and an en-suite bathroom in your bedroom.
Cons
Adding an en-suite bathroom does have its drawbacks. They include:
Reduced Bedroom Space
When you add an en-suite bathroom to a bedroom, it drastically reduces the overall space in the room.
This is one reason why en-suite bathrooms are simply not practical for smaller homes.
You have significantly less space left for furniture and other items, disrupting your bedroom design.
Even if you manage to somehow incorporate an en-suite bathroom, it won’t be flexible. This means you won’t able to use it for storage and other purposes.
You may also face difficulties in fitting all of your desired fixtures and amenities in a compact en-suite bathroom. It’s essential to consider the layout and available space before opting for an en-suite bathroom.
Higher Cost
Adding an en-suite bathroom to your home can be pricey, especially if it involves extensive plumbing work or structural changes.
The expense includes materials, labor, and potentially obtaining permits, depending on your location. Consider your budget and weigh the benefits against the potential financial strain before moving forward with this project.
Difficult to Resell
It’s also important to understand that highly personalized bathrooms can be difficult to resell.
This is because bathrooms strictly tailored to your needs and preferences won’t likely match the needs of others.
Suppose you love the color lavender, value convenience, and an oval shape.
Thus, your entire en-suite bathroom is likely to be lavender-themed with an oval-shaped bathtub.
After a couple of years, you decide to sell your home. You’ll discover that the people visiting your home don’t find the bathroom appealing.
The same can be said about an inflexible bathroom that is built in limited space.
Because homebuyers prefer versatile bathrooms with storage and other functions, it may not sell well.
Not Suitable for Partners
If you live with a partner, an en-suite bathroom won’t be as useful to offer privacy as it does for a single individual.
This is because en-suite bathrooms are designed to be leisurely, private spaces for one person only.
Sharing them with others won’t offer the same level of privacy.
Safety and Maintenance Concerns
An en-suite bathroom may pose some safety and maintenance concerns.
For example, the bathroom’s proximity to the bedroom could lead to humidity and moisture issues, affecting both your health and the room’s overall condition. Installing proper ventilation is crucial to minimize these risks.
Also, en-suite bathrooms may require more regular maintenance and cleaning than a shared bathroom.
As it is a private space, you can’t rely on others to help with upkeep. Additionally, potential plumbing problems are more likely to directly impact your bedroom, causing inconvenience and potential damage to your personal belongings.
Tips to Build an En-Suite Bathroom
Follow these tips to construct your dream en-suite bathroom:
Obtaining a Permit
When fitting a new, en-suite bathroom, especially in your basement, you’ll need approval from building regulations.
This is required to ensure that the drainage, structural stability, ventilation, and electric work meet the standards.
Be Practical
When planning your design, consider the practical elements. These include the location of electric and plumbing fixtures, where the space needs to be created, etc.
If you want to have natural light, plan for this early on.
Based on these preferences, an experienced builder can advise you on the right location for your en-suite bathroom.
Look for Ways to Save Space
Even if you have a lot of space, try your best to create space.
Depending on the available area, you can choose between a more open layout or a compact one with separate compartments for different functions.
Wall-hung basins and bathroom vanities are an easy way to save space. Since they’re installed directly on walls, you have a larger amount of floor space left behind.
Similarly, look for space-saving bathroom fixtures and furniture. Consider choosing smaller versions of toilets, basins, and bathtubs.
These are specially designed for en-suites, so you have a lot more room for other functions.
Also read: How to Declutter Your Bathroom (6 Easy Steps)
Pay Attention to the Finishing
To optimize your en-suite bathroom for relaxation and enjoyment, pay attention to the finishing.
To ensure that it truly reflects your tastes and designs, select high-quality items. Consider the overall style of your home and select fixtures, accessories, and materials that blend well together.
This could mean a frameless glass shower screen to give your bathroom a spacious feel and a touch of elegance. No shower curtain would be able to match this.
Choose Your Colors Wisely
Although en-suite bathrooms are smaller than family bathrooms, they can be made to appear larger.
One strategy is to choose the right color and décor schemes. Light, neutral colors that are consistent throughout the bathroom can do the trick.
Your en-suite bathroom should be a reflection of your personal style while complementing the design of the adjoining bedroom.
Also, try to minimize the contrast between the fixtures & fittings and the walls of the bathroom.
This can be done by opting for fixtures and fittings that are the same color as the walls.
Another tested strategy is to install the same tiles on the walls and the floors.
For maximum impact, take the tiling all the way up to the ceiling. This helps eliminate any dividing lines within the bathroom that make the space look smaller.
In fact, go the extra mile and choose larger tiles for the purpose. This will produce a less cluttered appearance, making the space look roomier.
Allow for Natural Light
Natural light makes bathrooms more welcoming. This can be achieved by adding windows to the en-suite bathroom.
If that isn’t possible, consider installing a skylight.
If you have a single window, you can use multiple bathroom mirrors that will reflect that light and maximize it.
Budget Considerations
Establishing a budget for your en-suite bathroom is essential to guide your design and fixture choices.
Consider allocating funds for essentials like plumbing, electrical work, and major fixtures, as well as smaller details like accessories and lighting.
Be prepared to prioritize and make adjustments if needed, without compromising on the quality and functionality of the space.
Investing in high-quality materials and fixtures will ensure a long-lasting and enjoyable en-suite bathroom experience.
Types of Bedrooms with En-Suite Bathrooms
Master and Primary Bedrooms
In most homes and apartments, the master or primary bedroom typically features an en-suite bathroom. This bathroom is directly connected to the bedroom and can only be accessed through that room, ensuring privacy for the occupants.
Master bedrooms often include a full en-suite bathroom, equipped with a toilet, shower, tub, and sink. Having an en-suite bathroom in your primary bedroom not only adds convenience but also increases the value of your home.
Guest Bedrooms
When designing a home or apartment, it’s common to create guest bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms as well. This setup provides a comfortable and private space for your guests to enjoy during their stay.
A guest bedroom en-suite bathroom may be a full bathroom with all the necessary facilities or could be a scaled-down version with a shower, sink, and toilet.
By giving your guests their own bathroom, you’ll be able to offer a more welcoming and enjoyable experience when they visit.
Hotels and Other Accommodations
Hotels and other accommodations such as bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and inns also frequently feature en-suite bathrooms in their guest rooms.
In these settings, en-suite bathrooms are a standard expectation, as they provide guests with a convenient and private space for their personal care needs.
The size and facilities of the en-suite bathroom will vary depending on the hotel or accommodation type, with luxury establishments often boasting spacious and well-appointed en-suite bathrooms, complete with spa-like amenities.
No matter the type of bedroom, an en-suite bathroom adds value, convenience, and privacy to your living space.
Whether it’s a master bedroom in your home, a guest room for visitors, or a hotel room during your travels, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the benefits of having a dedicated bathroom just for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an en-suite and a private bathroom?
An en-suite bathroom is directly connected to a bedroom and can only be accessed through that bedroom, offering privacy.
A private bathroom, on the other hand, may not be directly connected to a bedroom but is designated for use by the occupant(s) of a specific bedroom and not shared with other household members.
How does an en-suite bathroom differ from a master bathroom?
An en-suite bathroom can be attached to any bedroom in the house, providing a private bathroom for that specific room.
A master bathroom, however, is a larger, more luxurious bathroom that is specifically connected to the primary or master bedroom.
What features are typically found in an en-suite bathroom?
En-suite bathrooms typically include essential fixtures like a toilet, sink, and shower or bathtub.
Depending on the available space and individual preferences, you may also find additional features such as a bidet, double sinks, or a separate shower and bathtub.
What is the standard size of an en-suite bathroom?
The size of en-suite bathrooms varies, but a smaller one may be around 30 square feet, just enough to fit a shower, toilet, and sink.
Mid-sized en-suite bathrooms could be around 40-50 square feet, allowing for more comfortable movement and additional features. Larger, more luxurious en-suite bathrooms could be 100 square feet or more.
Is it beneficial to add an en-suite bathroom to a home?
Adding an en-suite bathroom to a home can increase both convenience and property value. Having a private bathroom attached to a bedroom provides more privacy and comfort for occupants.
Additionally, potential buyers often perceive properties with en-suite bathrooms as more desirable, which may boost the property’s value.
What is the proper way to spell en-suite (ensuite or en-suite)?
The correct spelling for this term is en-suite, with a hyphen. This spelling is borrowed from French and means to make a suite or connect two spaces.
Conclusion
Adding an en-suite bathroom can make your life both convenient and luxurious.
As long as the design is kept simple, it may even add significant value to your home. However, it takes a lot of planning to build and own a chic yet cozy en-suite bathroom.
Following the aforementioned tips can help you build an en-suite bathroom that will reflect your lifestyle and personality.
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