Pros and Cons of an Open Concept Master Suite

A typical master suite includes a bedroom and a bathroom, but a sitting room can also be present. In open concept design, one room or space flows freely into the next without a wall or physical barrier. In traditional master suites, the bathroom is completely separate from the bedroom. The sitting room can be compartmentalized as well but is more often an area within the bedroom or separated only by a simple screen or partition. At its extreme, an open concept master suite would be one large room that included bedroom furniture, sitting room furniture, and bathroom furniture and appliances. It is unlikely, however, that anyone wants a commode visible in their bedroom, so at least this part of the bathroom is typically separated by a partial wall or privacy screen. As this Houzz photo collection illustrates, many homeowners go for a blend of open and traditional design.

There’s a reason that open floor plans were so popular for so long in the main living area, and many of the same benefits apply to a primary bedroom. As this HomeLight article by Presley Attardo points out, “When brilliantly designed, an open concept bathroom makes for a dynamic, sophisticated master suite.” Switching to an open concept space comes with several advantages.

• An open design gives you the feel of a large, luxurious bedroom. Instead of two or three small rooms, you have one large room.
• A free flowing layout maximizes available square footage since no floor space is taken up by dividing walls and doors
• An open concept master suite is modern and edgy – perfect if you’re looking to give this part of your home a contemporary makeover.
• A more open floor plan can actually add convenience. For instance, having the sitting area within the bedroom means you don’t have to walk to another room to watch a movie. 
• Uniting the bathroom and bedroom can also boost accessibility. This layout can be part of an age-in-place plan since there is no door to open and no threshold functioning as a trip hazard.

In spite of the benefits, it’s important to keep in mind that an open concept bedroom suite is a non-traditional approach, and you should be sure it is right for your situation. Like any daring design, an open concept bathroom tends to be something people either love or hate. Here are some disadvantages to consider:

• If some of the bathroom appliances are visible from the sleeping area, it is especially important to keep these clean and sparkly so they don’t give the whole room a bad vibe.
• If a more private shower area is desired, you will want to use patterned, tinted, or frosted glass instead of the more popular clear glass in an open concept space.
• An open concept master suite can be a lovely romantic getaway for you and your spouse. But are you planning to stay in this house or to sell it down the road? If resale appeal is a consideration, keep in mind that many buyers would find a separate bathroom more desirable.

By taking a modified approach to open concept design, you can strive for the best of both worlds. Glass partition walls are useful because they give you options for how you separate one part of the suite from another. For example, a screen made of frosted, patterned, tinted, or back painted glass could serve as a partition between the bedroom and some or all of the bathroom fixtures. You could stop this wall a few feet short of the ceiling and leave an open entryway to create a smooth flow between spaces while retaining a degree of separation. In this case, if a future homeowner wanted a totally distinct bathroom, they could have matching glass doors installed across the entrance. Additional options for a modified open design include:

• Simply remove the doors between the bedroom and bathroom or bedroom and sitting room to combine the spaces without totally opening them up.
• Replace one or more existing walls (as long as they are not load-bearing) with a clear, frosted, patterned, or tinted glass wall.
• Create a fully open space, but between the different areas hang a stylish curtain that can be opened or closed as you prefer.
• Have a frosted glass partition with dual rolling doors installed between the bathroom and bedroom so that these areas can be separated or joined as you choose. 

In this Houzz idea book you can see beautiful examples of how designers use glass to create open concept master suites that maintain some level of distinction between restroom and sleeping area.