En suite bath – the private bathroom trend at a glance | Duravit
En Suite Bath – The Private Bathroom Trend at a Glance
Stil & Trends
En suite bathrooms are a growing trend,
especially when it comes to luxury bathrooms. But what does en suite mean
exactly? The term literally means something like "uninterrupted."
When we talk about an "en
suite bath," we mean a bathroom that is adjacent to the bedroom and
connected to it. A distinction can be made between two different types: the
first type consists of a separate bathroom directly adjoining the bedroom, and
the other type incorporates the bathroom and bedroom into a single, open room.
This article will list the advantages and drawbacks of both types, and will
also explain how best to arrange an en suite bath.
Advantages
Privacy
In the morning, especially in a busy household, it's
always nice to be able to start the day with some peace and quiet. The same
applies to evenings: an adjoining bathroom provides some time alone to relax
and unwind before going to bed. A private bathroom also reduces the risk of
waking other family members up if they have already fallen asleep at night, or
they are still asleep in the morning.
Convenience
The closer the bath is, the more convenient it is as
well. In addition, an en
suite bathroom can be completely customized to the needs of the person
it's designed for – the needs of other users are less important.
Aesthetics
From a visual perspective, combining a bedroom with an en suite bathroom is also a big plus. The type with the bedroom and bathroom combined in a single room can be easily decorated in many different styles, from postmodern industrial chic to a private wellness oasis with a tropical feel. This type also creates an open, spacious feeling. In the type where the rooms are separate, each room can also be designed with its own individual character, again customized to the user's preferences.
Value
An en suite bath can also be seen as an investment. That's because a private bathroom is inextricably associated with a feeling of luxury and modernity. This means that it will increase the value (and resale value) of an apartment or house.
Drawbacks
Space management
Even when an en suite bathroom is small, it is not a very efficient use of space. A
separate bathroom for private use is a less effective use of space than one or
more shared bathrooms would be. In tight living situations, it is usually a
good idea to use the space for other purposes.
Advance planning
En suite bathrooms take a lot of
advance planning because of the plumbing and electrical work involved.
Retrofitting an en suite bath usually involves a lot of time and money, so it
should be planned during construction if possible.
Moisture
Bathrooms produce high levels of humidity and they
need to be heated and ventilated in order to prevent mold from forming in the bathroom. This can cause
problems, especially when the en suite bathroom and bedroom are in a single room, since the
temperature and humidity requirements for each room are usually very different.
Ventilation
Like every bathroom, an en suite bathroom also needs ventilation options. If the floor plan of a bedroom with an en suite bathroom isn't thoroughly thought out during planning and the bathroom itself doesn't have a window, ventilation via the bedroom is the only possibility. Solutions also need to be found to keep the air fresh for both types, but especially when the two rooms are open to one another.
Ventilation scheme
Whether you go with a separate room or one that is
open to the bedroom, your en
suite bathroom should be planned with a ventilation scheme in mind. If
it is a separate room, an outside wall with a window can provide plenty of
ventilation. If the bath is open to the bedroom, however, it's a bit more
complex and striking the proper balance between ventilation and heating is a
must. For this reason, it's often a good idea to have an open en suite bath planned by
a professional.
How to choose the right type
Since there are different types of en suite bathroom, you
have to decide in advance which type you want. Your personal preferences are an
important factor, of course, but how it will be used should also be considered.
Will the en suite bathroom
be used by multiple people or just one? If the former is the case, the
open-concept type may not offer the degree of privacy you'd prefer. In this
case, having a separate room might be a better solution for you.
Safety
There are
also some safety issues to consider, especially if you decide to go with the
open-concept type. Electrical devices in the bedroom need to be able to
withstand a certain level of humidity, and they need to be far enough away from
any splashing water. In addition, the bedroom floor should be sufficiently slip
resistant in case it gets wet from condensation.
By the way: An en suite bathroom can also be planned and configured as an accessible bathroom.
Hygiene
If the en suite bathroom also includes a toilet, this should be far
enough away from the bedroom to ensure a proper level of hygiene. Of course,
it's also possible to plan your en suite bathroom without a toilet and either to enclose the
toilet in a separate room, as was done in many older buildings, or to use a
toilet in a shared bathroom.
Freestanding bathtubs
One of the more common associations people have with en suite bathrooms is a freestanding bathtub. Such an
eye-catching feature can only add to your optimal sense of wellness. What could
be more relaxing than taking a long bath right before going to bed?
Walk-in showers
Especially when the bath is open to the bedroom, walk-in showers ensure that the room
looks even more like a unified whole. Using a glass partition will also
maintain the open feel of the room.
Stylish room dividers
When the bath is open to the bedroom, it is often a
good idea to separate the two halves of the room, depending on the situation.
Folding screens or curtains offer stylish possibilities that can enhance the
overall visual impression of the space.
Matching fabrics, paints and wallpapers
If your en suite bath is open to the bedroom, it's also important to think about choosing the right materials for the bedroom area. The materials should be able to withstand the higher humidity levels. Painting the bathroom with paint specifically designed for wet rooms is recommended. Special, moisture-resistant types of wallpaper specifically for the bathroom are also available.
