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Original poster

Ensuite to the master bedroom or the guest bedroom?

13 replies

MrsMummyBx · 26/04/2018 21:34

Hi all

We are currently looking at plans that have been drawn up for a new double storey extension. Our plot and budget isn't massive but we have room for a new ensuite and a 4th bedroom. Do you think it's better to have the ensuite to the master bedroom; or rather the guest bedroom?

In my mind, the ensuite to the master bedroom creates a 'master suite' sort of feel and leaves the main bathroom free if guests are to stay over (we don't expect to have guests very much at all). However a guest room with an ensuite would mean that if guests stay they can be self-contained and meanwhile we could just use that en suite as well.

What do you think is better? Is there a preference from a resale point of view- which would a buyer prefer?

Advice much appreciated!

OP posts:
Pascall · 26/04/2018 21:37

If you can manage it at all, have a second bathroom, not an ensuite. Much better for general use and for resale.

Notmybag · 26/04/2018 21:44

En suite master! Definitely. You will be using it every day.

NoSquirrels · 26/04/2018 21:49

I'd say "most" people would prefer the en suite to the master bedroom.

However, we have the en suite to the guest bedroom and it is rather brilliant.

  1. Main bathroom has the bath and the best shower, so I'd still use it anyway.
  2. Guests don't have to come in our bathroom at all. Brilliant.
  3. I wouldn't want my DH pooing right next to our bedroom! I find hotel stays a bit meh when you have to hear everyone's bodily functions so close, plus shower steam etc.
  4. DC are still young so no bathroom hogging yet, and when they're older we can still use the extra en suite or direct them in there...
Neolara · 26/04/2018 21:53

We recently added an entry suite to our bedroom. It's brilliant and before it was built I hadn't been particularly bothered about having our own bathroom.

HeddaGarbled · 26/04/2018 21:53

I think most buyers would prefer the ensuite to the master. That is the norm and what buyers will be expecting.

user1493413286 · 26/04/2018 21:56

I have a massive dislike of en suites to master bedrooms as often you end up using that mostly rather than the bigger “family” bathroom and also DH wakes me if he uses an en suite in the night or when I’m asleep.
I’d consider it as a second bathroom or shower room that everyone can access

yumscrumfatbum · 26/04/2018 22:00

I'm not a fan of ensuite's. We got rid of ours , it had been put in by the previous owners. It created a damp issue in the bedroom and I hated having a toilet off my bedroom

M0reGinPlease · 26/04/2018 22:07

I also dislike en suites. Pooing in your bedroom? Grim.

I'd go for a guest bathroom.

fabulous01 · 26/04/2018 22:43

I love my en suite. Our bedroom etc is on top floor of a town house and both are massive. I couldn’t be without it now

Original poster
MrsMummyBx · 26/04/2018 23:13

So helpful to hear everyone's views. Everyone has given me lots of food for thought and made me think about some things I hadn't before. Really helpful.

NoSquirrels- I didn't think of that but DH pooing in the en suite would not be pleasant!!

As mentioned above, I can imagine DH using the ensuite in the night and waking me up. Seems like DH is the issue and not the en suite?? Maybe I should send him to the guest room!! GrinGrin

I do agree that we would probably end up using an en suite if we had it in the master rather than the bigger family bathroom which would be nicer- and my DS is only 2 so no competition for the bathroom yet!

But as others have mentioned above, I think buyers are expecting an ensuite to the master really.

It's a tough one, I'm still on the fence!! Any other opinions much appreciated.

OP posts:
Furano · 27/04/2018 08:56

What would be the difference in bedroom size and position? Would the ‘guest’ room be big enough to comfortably be used as the ‘master’?

I would prefer:

  1. Two bathrooms off the hall
  2. En suite off guest bedroom
  3. En suite off the master
namechangedtoday15 · 27/04/2018 09:16

Thinking long term the vast majority of buyers looking for a 4 bed house will have a family and may not have the luxury of a guest room i.e. us, and lots of our friends, are families of 5 so a 4 bed just allows each child to have their own room. For me therefore, looking at a 4 bed, it would be weird to have an ensuite for a child's room (albeit my DD would love it!!) and the other 2 children & 2 adults fighting over the main bathroom.

I think ensuite to the master is "the norm". We have 2 teenagers and a younger one and it's lovely to have our own ensuite.

Kismett · 27/04/2018 17:52

When we first went looking for houses, we didn’t care about having an ensuite. We simply wanted one full bathroom upstairs and a WC downstairs. We ended up with that, plus an ensuite off the master bedroom.

We just had guests staying with us and I found that I surprisingly really liked having the ensuite. We could retreat to the bedroom and not have to come out to use the bathroom. It was also nice not having to share. I know you have two bathrooms, but you could still end up in a situation where one bathroom is occupied and someone wants to use yours “really quick” and so on.

I think in your case, I’d do two doors and have the one to the hallway locked all the time. It’s the best of both worlds and doesn’t impact your use of it. Also neither of us are using the ensuite to do horrible smelly things at night so that’s really not an issue!

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