It’s more than likely that along the way, you’ve come across the term “en suite bathroom,” especially if you’ve been looking for a new home to rent or buy. But maybe you’ve wondered what an en suite bathroom is and what it includes.
Ahead, we’ll cover the meaning of an en suite bathroom, along with why it’s in a bedroom, the pros and cons, and how to design this space.
What is an en suite bathroom?
An en suite bathroom is a bathroom that’s adjoined to—and only accessible from—a bedroom, explains Hannah Goldberg, founder and principal designer of Hannah Charlotte Interiors.
Typically, en suite bathrooms are found in primary bedrooms. “But in our larger new-build projects, we are also seeing en suite bathrooms added to basement or attic bedrooms, creating in-law or guest suites,” says Goldberg.
Pros of an en suite bathroom
Being able to enter the bathroom without having to exit your bedroom and walk down a hallway has the advantage of being very convenient, says Goldberg.
“It also ensures privacy,” she adds, “allowing you the peace of mind that you are not sharing this particular bathroom.”
Plus, an en suite bath can add a lot of value to your home, says Goldberg.
“With some creative space planning, we always recommend adding an en suite bath to at least the primary bedroom,” she says.
Cons of an en suite bathroom
“There are very few disadvantages to an en suite bathroom unless it is the only bathroom in the house,” notes Goldberg.
In this case, she advises reorienting the space plan to allow people to access the bathroom without traveling through someone’s bedroom.
How to design an en suite bathroom
Perhaps you have the advantage of designing your home from scratch or remodeling it. For this, Goldberg’s number one tip for designing an en suite bathroom is to be very deliberate about where the door is situated.
“We try to orient the room so it is as far from the bed as possible, giving the door to the bathroom privacy if at all possible,” she shares.
Additionally, Goldberg asks her clients to think carefully about their particular storage and usage needs and to prioritize their needs versus wants. According to Goldberg, some of the questions you may want to ask yourself include:
- Do you need a larger vanity?
- Do you prefer to have your toilet in its own water closet?
- Do you like to take luxurious baths or would you rather dedicate the space to a large spa shower?
Also, you’ll need to select finishes when designing an en suite bathroom. Goldberg says you should try to achieve “continuity and flow” from the bedroom by turning to a complementary, and not necessarily matchy-matchy, color scheme.
“Your en suite bath should feel like an extension of the haven that is the adjacent bedroom,” she says. “Rooting a space in nature has known health benefits, so I also love to incorporate as many natural materials as possible—and maximizing natural light is great too.”
You can do this by choosing natural marble tiles and countertops, hand-glazed tiles like Zellige, stained wood vanities, and unlacquered metals which patina beautifully over time, she explains.
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FAQs
What’s the difference between a private bathroom and an en suite?
A private bathroom is a bathroom that is dedicated to a certain bedroom’s use. “However, it does not necessarily mean it is en suite,” she says. “It can be across or down the hall slightly and still be considered a private bath.”
Why is it called an en suite?
The term “en suite” is derived from French. It literally means “in a suite,” something that implies that this type of bathroom is connected directly to a bedroom.
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