The trend of having an ensuite bathroom has definitely come back into fashion recently; it’s no longer just a luxury desire for the few. Today, the vast selection of bathroom furniture and furnishings allows for increasingly integrated bathroom space within the bedroom.
Regulations and technicians
The first important thing to do is to rely on a technician, whether architect or surveyor, who can assist you not only during the construction but also with the bureaucratic process and filing the application with the relevant municipality.
To the question of whether a permit is required to install an ensuite bathroom, the answer is certainly yes. The work will alter the floor plan and surface area of the home, so the correct administrative procedure must be followed to avoid building violations. It will then be necessary to determine whether it is a simple CILA or a SCIA, for example, if work is being done on load-bearing walls, creating passageways.
What does the law say?
The regulations, which vary from municipality to municipality, all agree that the main bathroom in the home cannot be the bedroom, as it must be accessible and usable by all.
The size of the bathroom depends on the elements chosen, the available space, and the needs. For example, a single half bathroom might be needed, or a full bathroom with a shower or bathtub might be needed. In some cases, a minimum required square footage is not specified, but there may be a minimum measurement for the length of the lower wall. For this reason, it is crucial to check directly with your municipality’s technical office.
The minimum dimensions for a full bathroom, including a sink, toilet, bidet, and shower, are not clearly specified. A minimum area of 4 square meters can be assumed, but nothing prevents it from being smaller. All that matters is that the livability and lighting requirements are met. A minimum width of 1 meter can be used as a guideline, as this is an acceptable measurement that allows for easy passage, taking into account the space occupied by the fixture.
Another thing everyone agrees on, however, is the installation of an artificial ventilation system if the bathroom is windowless. This system is necessary for air exchange.
Another rule to keep in mind is the minimum size of the bedroom.
In fact, when building the bathroom, it’s very likely that the room’s square footage will be reduced. Be careful to maintain the minimum required surface area: for a double bedroom, the minimum required is 14 square meters, for a single bedroom, it’s 9 square meters.
Type of bathroom in the room
Once the technician to handle the bureaucratic aspects has been chosen, it’s time to begin the artistic and architectural phase.
Undoubtedly, the most common and traditional solution is to place the bathroom in a space enclosed on three sides; but among the latest trends, the open-plan bathroom is also becoming increasingly popular.
The open-plan concept favors the complete fusion of the bathroom and the bedroom: there are no walls, doors, or partitions. All this freedom and fluidity of space, in my opinion, must always take into account the space being designed. The advice, however, is to keep the bathroom area separated from walls and doors: both for aesthetic reasons and, above all, for privacy.
Another alternative, a successful combination of the previous two, is to create a bathroom enclosed by walls but open to the bedroom with a glass wall. Today, among the various glass systems, there is also the option of having blackout windows, which can be made opaque when necessary and allow for greater privacy.
What elements to include in the bathroom in the bedroom
Another factor to consider is the type and quantity of fixtures to include. Maximizing space and furnishings is essential to creating a functional environment.
Beyond the bathroom fixtures and sink, which are essential elements, you can choose to play with colors, lighting, and accessories: towel racks, soap dishes, and so on.
Finally, you need to decide whether to install a shower or a bathtub. Taking into account the size and type of bathroom, you can decide whether to place these elements exposed, in the bedroom, or enclosed by glass. For example, you could opt for a walk-through shower in the bedroom, open to the bedroom and connecting to the bathroom, where the fixtures and sink are located, or a freestanding bathtub with a clean, linear design. You could also opt for having the sink in the bedroom and separating the area that requires more privacy.
The important thing is that the final effect is both functional and elegant.
Bedroom with Bathtub
A chic and unique solution, even when space is limited for a suitable bathroom, is to place the elements directly in the bedroom, taking advantage of the open spaces and installing a romantic bathtub.
The large white bathtub becomes an additional decoration in the room at night, when the outside light reflects on the pure white of the tub. Freestanding tubs are available for all tastes: modern, round, square, with 19th-century-style legs, or mounted on a platform.
Bedroom with Shower
Even in this case, there are different solutions available. We’ve discussed the walk-in shower, which acts as a barrier between the bedroom and the bathroom, but there are also other options. For example, the classic shower stall, completely enclosed but directly overlooking the bedroom.
The corner shower is also a popular solution, especially for smaller bedrooms, but it’s the most effective way to include a shower in the bedroom without wasting space.
Other options include a shower behind the bed, which is very dramatic and features a glass shower enclosure separating the shower stall from the headboard. Access will obviously be from the ends.
A fourth option is to create a plasterboard wall separating the shower from the bedroom. This is a popular solution in the hotel industry, as the partition wall allows for privacy while still maintaining an open, shared space.
Advantages and disadvantages of en-suite bathrooms
While the desire to have an ensuite bathroom is increasingly popular, it’s important to consider the potential advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages include:
Adding an ensuite bathroom adds value to a home, both in terms of livability and in anticipation of a future sale;
If you have a large family, it allows you to leave the main bathroom to your children and have your own in your room, without having to wait in line;
Guests can use a bathroom different from the one used by the owners, which can therefore be set up and managed differently;
Since it’s in the room, you won’t have to walk around the house at night if there’s an emergency.
The disadvantages, however, include:
Moisture that could enter the room if there’s no window or if ventilation isn’t well-designed;
Possible odors from the pipes, which can be eliminated with suitable products;
Noise, especially if the bathroom is shared, and even the presence of light beams.
Tips for creating a bathroom in the bedroom
When considering an ensuite bathroom, there are a few things to consider.
Below are some tips to keep in mind, based on what has been discussed so far.
Evaluate the space correctly. From our perspective, the bathroom should be small, comfortable, functional, and roomy. The bedroom-bathroom combination must be such that you don’t end up with a tiny bathroom and a disproportionate bedroom, or vice versa. It’s necessary to carefully evaluate the space, also based on the choice of furnishings that will be included.
List the work to be done. From the project plan, it will be possible to obtain a list of the work to be done and submit it to companies for detailed estimates of the work and costs, so as to better evaluate the expense. It’s a good idea to think ahead about what you need and what you can do without.
Choose the furnishings. Since the bathroom is located in the bedroom, it’s important that the bathroom furnishings blend in with the rest of the room. For example, it wouldn’t be appropriate to have bright colors in the bedroom and pastel shades in the bathroom, or vice versa.
The possibility of not having the bathroom door always closed must be taken into account. It’s therefore important to create harmony between the elements, and to adapt the bathroom style to the bedroom if necessary.
Underfloor heating or auxiliary heating. If the bathroom is integrated into the bedroom, it may be exposed to cold drafts. To remedy this, you can install underfloor heating or provide the room with a backup heater, which can be turned on when needed.
Organize the separation between the bathroom and the bedroom. As we’ve seen previously, whether the bathroom is integrated into the bedroom, separate, or open, it’s always a good idea to create privacy so you can shower or use the bathroom in peace.
If you choose to create a separate bathroom within the bedroom, a traditional door is the ideal solution. In other cases, you might consider sliding or fixed glass doors, which are somewhat reminiscent of the partitions found in Japanese homes. When creating separations, pay attention to lighting, which should be present in both the bedroom and the bathroom.
Another type of separation, especially used in larger rooms, is to add a raised platform. This difference in level is an original way to create separation without separating.
Master bedroom with bathroom and walk-in closet
The pinnacle of luxury, also within everyone’s reach, is having a master bedroom complete with its own bathroom and walk-in closet.
Here too, it’s important to carefully consider the space and the distribution of functions, so as to avoid overlapping spaces.
With a generously sized room, the three spaces can be designed in different ways. For example:
A walk-in closet and bathroom behind the headboard. In this case, plasterboard walls can be used to separate the bedroom area from the other two. This solution requires two openings to the left and right of the bed, which can be closed by doors if desired, leading to the bathroom and walk-in closet.
A second solution is a walk-in closet, which acts as a barrier between the bedroom and bathroom. To achieve this solution, you need a room large enough to maintain the 14 square meter sleeping area. A walk-in closet is an excellent solution for your morning routine.
If you have large spaces, the third solution is to design the two spaces in different parts of the room, a solution that is certainly more usable and less complex. This way, you can use diagonal walls or utilize darker, more blind corners, for example by installing a shower or sink. They can also be closed off from the bedroom with glass walls and sliding doors.
Regarding the numerous options for creating a walk-in closet, you can find all the information at the dedicated link to walk-in closets.
In conclusion, creating an en-suite bathroom is no longer a luxury, but can become a daily occurrence for everyone. As you can see, there are many aspects to consider, but they’re not impossible to remember. With the help of competent and experienced professionals, the solution will be quick and easy to implement.
The Inside Project studio is at your complete disposal.