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Design Dilemma Bedroom Storage & Closet

Space optimization in small master bedroom en suite

5 years ago

Hi

My wife and I bought a house 3 years ago - we had the option to build 2 bedrooms only or 3 bedrooms. We decided to go for the 2 bedroom option. We now want to continue with building the 3rd master bedroom en suite. It is small and we are struggling to come up with a solution as to how to optimize space - we have been thinking of doing a small walk-in closet vs reach-in closet vs buying stand-alone closet; after looking at all these options we are now stuck on what the best option would be. For the en suite we do not want a bathtub (shower only), but would like to have 2 basins (we've looked at open plan en suite and also an en suite concealed behind a wardrobe door). Again after looking at the varying options we are now more confused than before we started.

Please see below image of the original design - Do you have any space saving tips or ideas on how design the layout to optimize space; your help with this will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

George

Featured Answer

Tina Mmiller

5 years ago

Better idea: with the configuration that I proposed, you might have a tight squeeze between the toilet and the vanity. So here's a good modification: assuming your stairwell faces north (for the purpose of explaining all of this), put a shower (no bathtub) in the northeast corner of the bathroom. Put the toilet in the southeast corner of the bathroom, next to the shower. This will free up space, and also provide some privacy if someone is sitting on the toilet when another person enters the bathroom. Keep the vanity on the west wall of the bathroom, and you will have room for a double basin and you can put a huge wall-to-wall vanity.

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Comments (6)

Tina Mmiller
5 years ago
You stand nothing to gain by installing a shower only (assuming you mentioned not needing a bathtub because you're trying to optimize floor space), and the reason why is this: access. By halving the floor footprint of your bathtub and just turning it into a small shower, you can't really put anything where the other half of the bathtub once was. I mean, of course you can, but by doing that, you're blocking off shower access on that side. Here's my advice: 1) move the bedroom window to the wall behind the bed (the headboard area). 2) move the bedroom closet to the wall where the window used to be. You now get a larger closet. Not a walk-in, but significantly larger. 3) move the entrance door of the bathroom to the middle of the bathroom wall, opposite the toilet. Perhaps consider a sliding pocket door instead of a "normal" door, so that you don't bang the door into the bathroom vanity when you open the door. Now, the wall of the bathroom where the vanity goes becomes much more accessible, and you should have room for a vanity with a double basin. Good luck!
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George Olivier
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the advice Tina. We also thought about putting the shower and toilet on the "east side" of the bathroom. The only problem with the layout as suggested (and I should have mentioned this in my original post) is that there is a house in close proximity to the "east" wall where the bed is (approximately 3m). If the window for the bedroom is kept where it is in the original layout we should get some nice sunlight in (looks down a street; lots of morning sun), but if the window is moved it might be a little noisy due to the proximity of the other house and we will most likely get no sunlight.

Thanks again for taking the time and commenting with your ideas!
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
Why are you building this ensuite now vs initially? Are you filling in a 2 story space below to gain this space? I guess I just question the lack of closet space for a master....if you are minimalists with clothes then I guess it could work as shown.
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
I think you should have your architect study a complete flip of the plan. You may get a bigger vanity and more closet space if you do something like this.
George Olivier
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi

Thanks very much for the layout; that does free up a lot of space. Initially we just did not have enough funding purchase the 3 bedroom so we opted to buy the 2 bedroom house, with the option of building the master bedroom at a later stage. Your layout does provide significant more space! I was also thinking of something like this this - do you think this could work?

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