The idea of an integrated bathroom in your bedroom/master bedroom is still foreign to many average Americans. A bathroom with no doors? But if the design had been hostage to preconceived notions, we all had never lived in ‘modern’ homes.
The idea of an integrated master suite is to allow a design to flow seamlessly even as functionality and form remain priorities like always. A “master suite” is more than just a master bedroom with a bath. An integrated master suite allows you to utilize space in a much better way. It also is creating more room even though the houses are getting smaller by the day.
A master suite, for example, can help you integrate a home office or turn it into a retreat which translates into a self-contained living area. Designs for master suites may vary in size and amenities, but you can always pay careful attention to efficient and functional details.
Functional Bathroom Vanities
No master suite can be the talk of the town unless it contains the right equipment, i.e., bathroom vanities and sink. Pay proper attention to countertops, sink types, styles, and layouts which means that you should take time to figure out the right finish too. And this is where the master suite design can be helpful.
Say, for example, that you have a modern bed and modern furniture throughout the bedroom. In such a case, continuing that theme in the bathroom area will give a consistent look throughout the space. So, you can consider adding contemporary art in the bathroom, for example. Two separate spaces that were earlier disconnected can now be visually connected through art.
Choosing the Right Vanity
When it comes to choosing the right vanity, the material you want should be given more priority than the design you wish to incorporate. Remember, the vanity, sink and other essentials are for long-term use so make sure you pick material that stands the test of time. Wood, concrete, laminate, marble, quartz, and granite are the most common options, with granite and quartz being the most popular due to the range of designs available along with their high durability, although granite is going to need to be sealed about every second year.
Marble and other similar stones are softer compared to quartz and granite and scratch easily, but go a long way in offering an elegant look combined with impeccable durability. This is another aspect where the concept of a master suite begins to make more sense. Since space is shared, the material selected can be matched according to the rest of the room. So, for example, if you have chosen marble flooring, marble sinks might be an overkill. Or if you have chosen wooden flooring, then the bathroom vanity can be made out of metal to add visual appeal.
‘Endless’ is the right word when it comes to defining vanity choices. Everything: the pullouts, doors, drawers, material, the finish can be adapted to your needs. Whether it is a stand-alone vanity or an integrated vanity, the purpose remains the same. In fact, you can ditch both these designs and opt for floating vanity mounted to the wall as gives you open space below while giving the whole design a distinct and striking look.
What Kind of Sink?
The four broad categories when it comes to choosing sinks are wall-mount, vessel, drop-in and under mounts. As mentioned earlier, while natural stones are an old favorite, porcelain, steel, brass, nickel and copper can also be considered, but they require additional maintenance and may not always be compatible with the look and feel of a bathroom vanity.
Remember that while design and elements might be shared, the demarcation between the spaces must never be compromised. You can separate the space with an antique-looking separator (think of the monarchs, palaces and the intricately-designed wooden separators) made of wood. You can also do this with a raised floor or tile to indicate the transition from bedroom to the bathroom along with adding rugs/mats.
Bathroom Windows
Another aspect that you can play with is the natural light that enters your room. The tiny window/ventilator that is usually seen in closed bathrooms can be turned into a window. You can add crown moulding to the window to ensure a strong visual element or accentuate the light entering the space. If you like your baths to be long and comfortable, you can turn the bathtub to face the window.
In a master suite design, there is enough scope to go a step further and integrate a walk-in closet too, which will greatly reduce the space you need in your vanity, allowing for more design elements to be incorporated.
