When you are looking for a new house, you likely have a rough idea of the square footage you are looking for that will work for your family. However, have you ever thought about the master bedroom square footage specifically?
Based on the size of bed you use and the furniture you plan to put in the room, you may find yourself too cramped in the master bedroom. Instead of calming and relaxing, that space can make you feel stressed and crowded. This article aims to help you determine the right size master bedroom based on your preferences.
How to determine the right square footage size of a master bedroom
Typically, a master bedroom is between 200 and 350 square feet. While this may be the average master bedroom size, rooms are certainly not limited to this. Bedrooms can come in various sizes and shapes based on the size of the whole house. Your personal preferences will help you determine the correct size master bedroom for you.
Master bedrooms tend to be larger than other rooms in the house. Often the master bedroom is at least double the size of the additional bedrooms. This extra space is because the adults who stay there often have more furniture pieces that are larger in size. For example, they may have a California king bed instead of a twin or full bed that is common in other bedrooms (1).
Master bedrooms also often have the master bathroom attached. The ensuite bathroom’s purpose is so parents can get ready in a separate space from the children’s bathroom. The included master bathroom is another reason why master bedrooms tend to be the largest room in the house.
When considering the perfect size square footage of a master bedroom, you need to consider the available space in the house. You can design your master bedroom to be as big as you would like; however, you do not want the house to look too small in comparison. Therefore, it is important to distribute the square footage appropriately.
For example, the average master bedroom is 200 – 350 square feet. The average home size in the U.S. is about 2,500 square feet. If you want a master bedroom that is bigger than average, the home size should also scale upwards. This way, the home’s design is proportional instead of an overly large main bedroom with the rest of the rooms being too small.
Related: Price per Square Foot Calculator
Common master bedroom trends
There are a variety of trends today that are affecting the size of master bedrooms.
Changing furniture styles
In the past, bedroom furniture used to consist of big, bulky pieces. Now, people are often forgoing oversized dressers or chests of drawers. This means that a master bedroom can be smaller without sacrificing comfort.
Bigger closets
One common trend these days is to move some of the square footage from the master bedroom into the master closet. This means that instead of looking for a large-sized master bedroom when house hunting, you can have a smaller one with a larger closet, such as a walk-in closet.
This is part of why the larger furniture pieces are no longer needed. In addition, the closet has ample space to store the clothes without using a massive dresser in the bedroom.
Sleep oasis versus living space
There is also a trend toward viewing the master bedroom as a sleep oasis instead of living space for the entire family. This means that the focus is on utilizing the square footage to foster a restful environment where you can sleep well and unwind. This is why you may sometimes see a sitting area as part of a master bedroom.
However, many people opt not to put a television in their master bedroom. Instead, watching tv is reserved for the house’s other living spaces, such as the family room. If you plan to sleep in the room, the standard bedroom size can be smaller because you are not trying to fit a lot of elements into the room.
Commonly included elements in a master bedroom
When determining the optimal size of your own bedroom, it is vital to consider the elements often included in a master bedroom. While all of these are not required, the ones you choose to have will affect the ideal size of the room.
You want to ensure that you have enough room for moving around comfortably, even if the master bedroom is not huge. Too much furniture makes a space feel cramped and smaller.
Master bathroom
As mentioned previously, master bathrooms are often attached to the master bedroom to form a master suite. Typically these bathrooms have an open floor plan. Double sinks are common in newer houses so that two people can get ready at once.
Walk in closet
It is common for master bedrooms to have walk-in closets. These are designed to be large enough to hold two people’s clothes. Some even have a changing area inside as well. Storage is key in walk-in closets. Bigger houses typically have a large enough walk-in closet where two people can be inside simultaneously. His and hers separate closets are another option that some houses have.
More space
It is common for the master bedroom to have more space than other rooms in the house. For one, the room is designed for two people to live in. It is not uncommon for a master bedroom to hold more furniture as well. For example, a sitting chair, table, vanity, or bookshelves.
This additional space is helpful if you also plan to use a king-size bed. Having the extra space means that you can put the larger bed in the room and still have room for side tables too. These items would be cramped or not fit at all in smaller bedrooms.
The inclusion of additional storage space is also important. Whether in the walk-in closet or the room itself, there are typically more storage spaces in a master bedroom.
Size of the house
The size of the house will significantly impact the size of the master bedroom. The layout of the entire house often determines the master bedroom dimensions. This is why larger homes tend to have bigger bedrooms. Everything scales up as the house size increases.
Large houses with large master bedrooms often have room for the essentials and luxury items like fireplaces, a couch, and additional sitting areas.
Design for your room
Master bedroom sizes can vary greatly and depend on the overall size of the house. Whether a small room or a large master bedroom, it is important to make design decisions based on the available space. If you fail to consider the space appropriately, you will likely have an overflowing room that feels cramped and cluttered.
Bed size
Since the master bedroom is primarily for sleeping, start with determining the bed size you want. For example, do you want a king-size bed, or are you okay with a queen bed? You can design the space around the ideal bed size by starting with a decision about a bigger piece of furniture.
In addition to measuring out the space for the bed, leave ample room on each side. Ideally, at least 30 inches should be on both sides and at the foot of the bed. This allows you to comfortably maneuver around the bed without needing to squeeze by other pieces of furniture.
Large furniture
Next, consider what other larger pieces of furniture you really want or need to have in your room. For example, do you plan to have a dresser in the room, or is your closet storage enough?
Likewise, consider if your bedroom space will serve a dual purpose. For example, will one corner be designated for office space, or do you have a separate room in the house to serve as your office if you work from home? If you need to include a desk in your master bedroom, a small master bedroom size may not work for you.
Add items strategically
Once you have determined the large items in the room, you should add other items strategically to maximize space. But, again, your bedroom dimensions and layout will affect how much you can comfortably fit in the room.
If you have a smaller master bedroom, it is crucial to use the vertical space effectively. Instead of adding wide furniture, opt for taller furniture instead. If floor space is limited, use wall-mounted elements such as shelves or hanging your television on the wall instead of having to place it on a large piece of furniture.
Also, dual-purpose items will be essential if your master bedroom is tight on space.
Design for two people
Two people often share master bedrooms. If this is true for you, keep this factor in mind when designing the room and determine how much space you would like in your master bedroom.
In addition to needing to store two people’s things, there are concerns about the room’s flow. For example, if two people are in the room simultaneously, can they move around quickly, or is the space too cramped?
Pay special attention to the paths between the bed and bathroom if you have an attached bathroom, bed, and closet. Ideally, the floor area should provide ample space for people to walk by each other.
Personal preference
There is not one perfect master bedroom size. Instead, it is primarily up to you and what you desire from the space.
Do you envision your master bedroom as a sanctuary and sleep oasis? If so, you may be OK with an average size room or smaller.
Do you need space to set up a desk and workspace in your bedroom? Then you may need a larger master bedroom.
Your personal preferences can help you determine your ideal size bedroom, from cozy and quaint to large and luxurious. While a minimum size room can comfortably hold your furniture with sufficient room to walk around, the optimal size is up to you and how you envision using the overall space.
Making a small room feel bigger
Your dream home may offer you a spacious master bedroom, but what if your current reality is less than ideal? There are some simple updates that you can do to save money by not undertaking a complete remodel project or searching for a new house to buy.
Design-wise, use lighter colors to make the space feel more open and airy. This includes not only paint colors but also your bed linen colors and rugs.
Get rid of any oversized furniture pieces that are not necessary. They crowd the room and take up valuable floor space.
Consider storing some items, such as out-of-season clothing, in the guest room closet. Guest rooms often sit unused, so take advantage of this storage space for items you do not regularly need.
Reconsider the size of the bed you have in your master bedroom. In some cases, a California king bed may be too big for the space, based on the size and layout of a room. You need to have enough space to walk around in your bedroom.
The house size may limit the size of a master bedroom, but even average master bedrooms can be transformed into a relaxing space with some intentional design choices.
A larger room is not always the answer. Sometimes by reducing and decluttering what you have but do not need, you can maximize your space without spending the extra money to remodel the bedroom.
Sources
(1) – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-sizes/california-king-vs-king#