A master bedroom isn’t just a bedroom anymore — it’s become a master suite. Many luxury homeowners seek walk-in closets, reading nooks, and serene views from a balcony. Their spa-like bathroom should have dual sinks, makeup mirrors, jacuzzi tubs, and rainforest showers. How do you begin planning the ultimate master suite? The basic steps are determining the square footage, placing it within the home’s footprint, connecting the other rooms, and designing adjacent areas such as a loft or balcony. Designing a custom home is a series of give-and-take decisions, but few luxury home builders ever skimp on the elegance of the master bedroom.
4 Considerations When Designing Master Bedrooms
Determining Square Footage: Consider the furniture you’d like to include in the space and any additional functionality you’d like to include. Depending on your preferences, the master bedroom can be an existence unto itself, with a gym, wet bar, and multi-media entertainment system—or it can be a peaceful, zen escape from the reality of daily life. According to experts, there is no single paradigm for master bedroom design and no standard for square footage. It all depends on what they want the room to represent. Of course, many decisions are based on your lot, budget, and desired floorplan. You may create an entire floor for the master or give it as much square footage as all other bedrooms combined.
Locating the Bedroom in the Floorplan: Traditionally, the master bedroom was located in the same area of the home as the other bedrooms, typically in a quieter area with no living spaces. The idea of the main floor master bedroom, however, has taken hold. While this makes sense for Florida one-story homes, even those with multi-level homes are making this design choice to remove themselves from the rest of the family bedrooms and provide more peace and privacy. In one-story luxury homes, the master is often located on one side, while secondary and guest bedrooms are on the other. The room may be slightly obscured, with the doorway down a hallway or around a corner to maintain privacy.
Connecting to Other Rooms: Master suites are rarely directly connected to other areas of the home. As we discussed, they are often set up as a separate “wing” with private access or an isolated entranceway. Although other bedrooms often share a hallway or jack-and-jill bathroom, that is rarely the case with a master. One exception is that young families increasingly opt for a connected small nursery to accommodate late-night feedings and keep young children close.
Tangential Amenities: A contemporary master bedroom almost always includes a master bathroom, which includes hundreds of design decisions by itself. (Read more about Luxury Bathroom Design) Depending on the location and layout of the home, luxury homebuilders may opt for a balcony overlooking the coast, a walk out to the pool, or a private patio garden through French doors. A master bedroom may include oversized walk-in areas that function as dressing areas or a library/workspace for quiet reflection and study.
Designing the Perfect Master Bedroom
When you decide to work with a custom home builder, one of the most important first steps is to define your overall goals and objectives. What type of lifestyle is important to you? What are the non-negotiables? What is your dream space?
When it comes down to it, the ideal master bedroom is the one that gives you peace and happiness. At Bruce Williams Homes, our team has nearly five decades of experience helping people bring their ideas to life, from imagination to blueprints and construction. Call us today if you are considering a new home build in Sarasota or Manatee County.
