Master bedrooms are not just for sleeping anymore. Homeowners are seeking a refuge in a master bedroom, creating dreamy suites that have everything including the kitchen sink. Juice bars with sinks are the latest to join the list of must-have master-bedroom amenities.
The idea of a master bedroom began as a slightly larger bedroom with an attached bath. It has evolved into a space of its own, filled with much more than a bed and place to hang clothes.
Some industry professionals attribute this new fascination with luxurious master bedrooms to homeowners’ spending more time at home and wanting private sanctuaries where they can escape at the end of the day without necessarily having to go to sleep.
“The trend is that people are nesting after September 11,” says Stephen Paul, executive vice president of Mid-Atlantic Builders. “They’re putting a lot of amenities in their home to feel comfortable and are not leaving to go on vacations.”
Master bedrooms grew larger in the 1980s, then demand tailed off a bit during the recession, Mr. Paul says.
“Back then, it was a big boxy space with just square footage,” he says, adding that quality master-bedroom details are a more recent phenomenon.
Although size still counts when it comes to the master bedroom, the extras and personalized features make the rooms cozy, stylish spaces to unwind.
“It’s in the finishes,” says Mr. Paul, who believes niceties such as curved walls and tiled floors in the bathroom make the master suite elegant.
“The quality of this room has moved up and become so grand,” says Gopal Ahluwalia, vice president of research with the District-based National Association of Homebuilders.
Mr. Ahluwalia says that although kitchens and bathrooms come first in the list of most desirable rooms, master bedrooms aren’t far behind.
“The master bedroom is considerably important, and they’re getting larger and very upscale,” he says.
Space in the bedroom dedicated to a sitting area is common in new homes. It is the manifestation of homeowners’ desire to take full advantage of their larger master suites. Builders are aware of this trend, and most are including sitting rooms in master suites, some of which are defined by elegant columns and have built-in entertainment niches or media centers.
“We try to create a sitting area in all of our homes. Even in our smaller projects, we make the master bedroom big enough to fit a couple of chairs,” says Dee Minich, vice president of sales and marketing at Washington Homes.
“In our larger homes, there is usually a separate section for the sitting area,” she says.
Donnell Jefferson of Bowie purchased her third home two years ago. She says she paid the most attention to the master bedroom and kitchen when looking for a home.
“Most importantly, the bedroom had to have a sitting room where I can sit down to relax, read a magazine and drink a cup of coffee,” she says.
Ms. Jefferson says she enjoys her extra-large master suite with a sitting area because it has plenty of space to walk around without tripping over furniture.
“I wanted a master bedroom that could easily accommodate a king-size bed without looking crowded,” she says, adding that her vaulted ceiling makes the bedroom appear even more airy.
In addition to sitting areas, such features as high ceilings and walk-in closets are becoming common in many master bedrooms, according to industry professionals.
More homeowners are also choosing to indulge in some of the newest amenities offered in today’s master suites.
Fireplaces aren’t just for the family room anymore. They help turn the bedroom into an inviting retreat. Some have double-sided fireplaces that can be enjoyed in both the sleeping quarters and the sitting room.
Coffee bars are becoming popular in the master suite and are offered by several area builders. “The latest thing is that people don’t have to walk downstairs to get their morning coffee,” Mr. Ahluwalia says.
This coffee bar comes with a sink, small counter and cabinets and can include a refrigerator and microwave. Mid-Atlantic Builders offers this popular option and four versions of the wet bar.
“The trend is more amenities and more comfortable spaces,” Mr. Paul says.
The comfortable space can be used to accommodate home offices or exercise rooms with bicycles and treadmills. To step out for a breath of fresh air, homeowners have added balconies to second-story bedrooms and private patios to main-floor suites.
Some more affluent homeowners have installed indoor waterfall fountains that take up an entire wall in the bedroom.
Closet space has changed. Even walk-in closets have been upgraded into the larger “wardrobe room” with organized shelves and drawers, windows, built-in benches, mirrored walls and space to dress. Some of these rooms are larger than the entire master suite would have been 20 years ago.
“Closet space is always important to buyers,” Ms. Minich says. “Even if they are downsizing, they still want huge closets.”
Cindy Stackhouse of Century 21 in Dumfries says that instead of two small closets on one wall, people want one larger walk-in closet.
It’s impossible to mention the master bedroom without including the master bath. This extension of the master suite has become grander and more spalike with whirlpool tubs, marble counters, heated stone floors, separate commode closets and furniture-esque cabinetry.
“I definitely wanted a master bathroom with a large soaking tub,” says Ms. Jefferson, whose bathroom also has a high sloped ceiling and large corner windows for plenty of outdoor light.
Mr. Paul says buyers are most excited about their resortlike showers with glass block surrounds.
“With this design, we’re able to let in lots of light in a room where there may not have been any windows,” he says.
“People are getting master bathrooms with multiple shower heads where water comes from different directions,” says Mr. Ahluwalia, who added that this $6,000 option is increasingly found in more upscale homes.
“Everyone wants luxury and comfort, and there are so many things we can do now to make ourselves comfortable,” Ms. Jefferson says.
Investing in your master bedroom is a good idea. Realtors agree that home seekers are paying more attention to the master bedroom.
“Buyers the last couple of years are indicating that they’re looking for more luxurious and spacious master suites,” says Ms. Stackhouse. “They’re looking for that ’wow’ factor.”
By having a sitting area in the master bedroom, the sales value of the house increases by 8 percent, according to a study by the National Center for Real Estate Research.
Harry Brubaker of Zip Realty in the District says the two things that matter most to people looking at master bedrooms are a sitting area and a large bathroom.
“The easiest way to add value to a master suite is to concentrate on the bathroom,” Mr. Brubaker says.
“Upgrade the tile and put in a Jacuzzi-type tub,” he suggests.
Mr. Brubaker also says some buyers look at the location of the master bedroom.
Some want it on the opposite end of the child’s bedroom. He remembers that one couple wanted a master bedroom near the stairs so they could hear any activity up- and downstairs.
“Master bedrooms absolutely increase the resale value of a home,” says Ms. Stackhouse, who agrees that it’s very important to modernize the master bath for the most value.
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