Two Master Suites: One Up & One Down

Master suites: are large bedrooms, bigger than the other bedrooms in the house. Another characteristic of a master suite or master bath ensuite as it is called on HGTV, is a larger, private bathroom with more amenities than you expect to find in a shared bathroom.

Homes usually have one master suite, but when you're building a house, you have more options.  Why not have two master suites, as the benefits usually outweigh the added construction costs. You'll find two master suites give you and your growing (or shrinking) family more flexibility through the years spent living in your home.

Your home is also a financial investment so think ahead to when it's time to sell your house. With two master suites, you will attract more buyers because some will want a master suite upstairs while others will want a first floor master suite.

Benefits of a Master Suite Upstairs

Master suites are most common upstairs with all the other bedrooms. When you have younger children, a master suite upstairs makes a lot of sense. You can be closer to them at night, so it's easier to reach them if you hear a sudden cry from a nightmare. When all the bedrooms are on the second floor, it's also the best place for the laundry room. Lastly, the ceiling of master bedroom suites on the second floor may be higher to allow for a more spacious feeling and it's more peaceful with noone walking above your bedroom.

Oops, maybe it's worth mentioning that going up and down stairs is healthy exercise for people who otherwise, might not get enough physical exercise as they grow older.

Why Homeowners Want Master Suites Downstairs

Having a master suite downstairs allows for a couple of different scenarios.  You can move into the downstairs master suite when you find you're not comfortable navigating the stairs. You can also have an aging parent come live with you, making this downstairs master suite their personal space.

So many of my friends have had to deal with one parent surviving the other.  Faced with the high costs of elderly living facilities, many times it's easier to invite the surviving parent to live with your family if they don't need assisted living or nursing care. It's more cost effective and while your family will have to make accommodations for a new household member, it's also nice for children to have a grandparent close by, someone who will give them more attention and teach them things you might not remember learning. With a master suite on the first floor, you can do this without disrupting everyone's bedrooms and routines.

Two Master Suites Give You Options

As you age and the kids move out, you will become less enthusiastic about going up and down the stairs. Having the additional master suite on the first floor enables you to move downstairs and yet still have the comfort of a larger bedroom with a private bathroom. You can virtually live on the first floor, leaving the upstairs for visiting family and friends.

As your children grow and start families of their own, they'll be back to visit. Your children as new parents, will appreciate the master suite upstairs so they can enjoy some privacy while the grandchildren have their own rooms to sleep in. With two master suites, it's also more viable to rent a room if one spouse passes, to provide needed income and companionship.

Having two master suites gives everyone space to spread out and provides many options as your family grows. In this day and age, so often we hear about blending families and generations, and two master suites provide flexibility so you can easily accommodate these lifestyle changes. By adding a second master suite to your home while under construction, you have more choices in the future without having to manage any significant remodeling at a time when you're dealing with other stressful events.

We'd love to hear how you're enjoying your two master suites.