When asked what they would remodel if money was no object, many homeowners choose the master bedroom. Homes built before 1950 rarely have a master "suite" with a designated bathroom connected to the most prominent bedroom. Homes built in the '50s often have a miniscule half- or three-quarter-bath added to one of the bedrooms — the height of luxury, no doubt, at the time, but hardly a situation that measures up to today's standard of a master suite. If you live in a newer home, you may already have the space you want but still may need to do some rearranging and upgrades.
Three basic elements make a bedroom a master suite: a bedroom area, a bathroom connected to the bedroom and a walk-in closet. A master suite technically only needs these three basic elements, but they often evolve into something even more luxurious. Today's master suites may include features like fireplaces and entertainment centers, areas for lounging, reading, or conversations, dressing areas and even snack areas that may include built-in cabinets, coffee makers, toasters, refrigerator drawers and even small dishwashers. Add to that recessed lighting, Internet access, entertainment systems and remote-control ceiling fans, and you begin to get the picture.
If you are among the homeowners dreaming of a newly remodeled master suite, there are a few items to consider in designing your project. The first thing to consider is the structure of the room. Do you have sufficient space, or will you need to find additional area for the project? If so, can you knock down the wall to an adjoining bedroom to absorb that area or add on to your home?
If you don't already have a bathroom in the master suite, you will need to add one. Master bathrooms are as much of a necessity as they are convenience these days. There are few homes being built today that don't have a master bathroom adjacent to the master bedroom, so adding a master bathroom will add value to the home when it comes time to sell it. Therefore, if there is anything in a master suite renovation you want to spend money on, it is the bathroom. In the master bathroom, the hot items include a giant tub or shower with multiple spray features, double vanities, extra outlets, heated towel racks and heated flooring. Also, homeowners are not skimping on the bathroom countertops and tile, choosing top quality solid granite slabs and decorative tile made of stone or glass.
Don't neglect the closet. One big mistake people make is enlarging the suite without enlarging the closet. Plan your master suite closet according to your style of living. Consider his-and-her closets, shoe racks, pullout drawers and shelving. Also think of the placement of the closet. If two people are sharing a master suite, consider putting closets and bath on one side of the suite, in close proximity so that one partner can dress without disturbing the other.
When you are remodeling a master suite, it is important to plan ahead and start early in the process, picking out the fixtures and finishes. If you work with a residential architects, they will help you move through the process of choosing the specifics during the design phase. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, not having all the specifics picked out before construction is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. Don't wait until the design is complete to decide you don't want a standard-size tub. It makes the process more expensive and will prolong it.
A residential architect can also help you decide the best way to configure your master suite. Should you go up with a second-story addition or out with an addition? Or is it best to move a few walls to take over a guest bedroom? Sometimes the solution can be a simple reconfiguration of your existing space or a bump out that will add the few more square feet that could make all the difference. You can dramatically affect both your daily life and your property value with a great master suite renovation.
Architects Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer are the founders of Renovation Design Group, www.renovationdesigngroup.com