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An ensuite can be an excellent addition to the master bedroom, the children's section of the house, or a guest room. This separate bathroom provides its users with privacy and less stress by reducing morning bathroom congestion. In this article, we'll help to guide you through how to add an ensuite to an existing bedroom.
How to add an ensuite to your bedroom
Decide where to add the ensuite
First and foremost, where will your new ensuite be located? The popular choice we see house owners make is converting their walk-in closets into a master bathroom. People are discovering that they don't require all of the space in their walk-in closets and would instead use it for an ensuite.
If you don't have a walk-in closet but have a large bedroom, it's best to divide it into sections and make space for an ensuite. The benefit of an ensuite is that it requires a small space, so there are many options for where you can put this addition.
Some bathroom fittings can easily connect your new ensuite to sewerage and water mains. This works well for underground bedrooms and potential ensuite locations. You can achieve this without causing significant disruption to your existing plumbing architecture.
Let the ensuite complement your style
Focus on keeping your personal style and your home in mind when planning your ensuite addition. It's a good bathroom idea to make sure your rooms complement each other to make the addition as convenient as possible and increase the home's value if you ever decide to sell.
There are numerous ways to ensure that your home's style is consistent throughout. Ceiling lights, cabinet handles, doors, wall colours, and even towels and fittings can all help to connect your new and old spaces.
Make sure the ensuite meets your needs
You should be able to ascertain what your new bathroom needs to include based on whether it's for you, your children, or elderly relatives. If your new room is next to a guest room, consider adding multigenerational features. This will make sure everyone can use the room, and it will raise the value of your home if you decide to sell.
A bathtub for the kids is a big selling point for many parents and guardians alike! You should definitely consider constructing a bathtub in your new ensuite if you have the space. Standalone bathtubs are a current trend, with many lovely styles from which to choose to suit your tastes.
Hire the right personnel for the job
When planning home renovations, it's critical to have the right tradespeople on your side. You need to get the best painter, electrician, carpenter, plumber, and probably even a bathroom designer for your ensuite addition. It's best to hire people who specialise in that specific area and skill set when looking for skilled tradespeople.
For example, you'll want a designer who has experience designing small bathrooms, a painter who understands the proper waterproof paint to use, a carpenter who can design a tailored benchtop if necessary, and a plumber who can handle all of the required additions.
Always ask for references and a photo album of their past work. This is to make sure that they're up to the task of completing your new ensuite before hiring a trade.
Pay attention to every detail
It's easy to overlook minor details when planning your ensuite. So, make sure you have a checklist of everything you want to include before you start building!
Make a list of everything you require. Include items you believe you may not need. The steps in a typical ensuite addition project will most likely be as follows:
- Wall demolition and renovation
- Plumbing and electrical work
- Rough ins for electrical
- Plastering walls
- Waterproofing
- Installation of cabinetry
- Tiles screeding
- Laying of tiles
- Fittings for plumbing (baths, basins, toilets, showers, tapware)
- Removing electrical fittings (lighting, heated towel rails)
- Installing shower curtains
- Applying silicone to joints
- Testing and handover
Ensuite bathroom projects for low budgets
Procuring an ensuite is at the top of many people's wish lists regarding the number one thing they would add to their homes. Not only is it a luxury, but an ensuite may add significant value to your property when you decide to sell.
You won't have to spend exorbitantly to achieve this. You won't have to give up your style or budget if you choose wisely. Here are three helpful hints to help you make your ensuite dream a reality.
Be careful with your plumbing architecture
Plumbing is one of the most costly aspects of installing an ensuite. This is especially true if it's being added to a space that wasn't previously used as a bathroom. Plumbing costs can have a big impact on where you put your toilet, shower, or sink, which isn't ideal when trying to make a small space accommodate everything.
It is best to consult a good plumber to help you cost-effectively design your plumbing architecture to deal with this challenge. You can also go for a plumbing solution like Sanipro. This is a great way to keep your costs low while creating a space you love. It's a plumbing solution that macerates and pumps wastewater into an existing sewer line without requiring major (and costly) structural work.
The Sanipro system, designed by the French company Saniflo, has up to three inlets for your sink, shower, and toilet, giving you the freedom to design your ensuite exactly how you want.
You don't need ample space for an ensuite
Smaller spaces require fewer resources and can be less expensive. You can cut costs by converting a walk-in closet, taking space from an adjacent study or storage cupboard, or cutting off a portion of your own bedroom. A tiny space does not allow you to be more selective in your furniture selection.
A vanity, toilet, and shower can easily fit into a one-and-a-half metre by two-metre space. Look for fittings that are built specifically for corners to save space. As a focal point, hang a vanity on the wall and add a large mirror to bounce light and create the impression of extra space.
Putting open shelves behind your mirror or having cabinet doors that double as mirrors can help you keep your room clean and tidy.
Manage every resource
A granite countertop and floor-to-ceiling tiles are sometimes considered luxurious. So, be sure you budget for them as they may put a significant dent in your spending. Nowadays, numerous faucet and vanity alternatives look great but are not as expensive.
Conduct some price comparisons on Google or visit large chain store brands that can offer affordable toilets and vanities due to their size and purchasing power. The cost of tiled walls can quickly add up, especially if you require the services of a tiler. Instead of that, consider replacing the tiles with vinyl or laminate wall panels and possibly painting.
Nature-inspired colours add a designer touch to your ensuite. They are an undefined choice over stark white. However, ensure that you use mould-resistant paint. If you're set on tiles, confine them to specific areas, such as behind the basin, or combine them with less expensive tiles as an accent.
What is the average size of an ensuite?
A typical ensuite bathroom should be around 1.5 m x 1.3 m if all the essential elements (bath, basin, toilet, lighting, and mirror) are included in a well-planned layout. With the help of a skilled bathroom designer, you can make sure that you get the most out of your space.
Keep in mind that there are copious methods to save space. Don't go for minimal space, as this will result in an unappealing bathroom.
Does an ensuite require planning permission?
No planning permission is needed if the work is being done in an existing house. However, planning permission is required if you want to add an ensuite bathroom to a listed building.
Note that your construction must also adhere to building codes. You need to get permission from the building department if your new ensuite bathroom needs wiring, drain changes, installing or replacing a gas or solid fuel heating system, structural changes, or other things.
A certified electrician must do all electrical work. Any work on boilers or heaters must be done by a gas safety compliant professional.
Factors to consider when adding an ensuite bathroom
- Design: You can select décor, furnishings, and sanitary ware that complement the main bedroom's style. Rather than painting them both the same colour, choose a neutral design for the ensuite and accent it with objects in a bedroom accent colour.
- Connectivity: Consider connecting the bedroom and the bathroom with a change room. This could be a connecting space with wardrobes between the rooms, a self-contained changing room (if your bedroom is large enough), or just a built-in bedroom store enclosing the ensuite door.
- Flooring: If you like a carpeted bedroom, this will obviously not work in the bathroom. You can opt for floor tiles that match the carpet colour in the ensuite. Alternatively, choose a flooring option that may be used in both the bedroom and the bathroom, such as luxury vinyl tile.
- Lights: Consider lighting circuits carefully to operate the ensuite and bedroom autonomously. In the bedroom, you may like softer, dimmable lighting, while you may prefer brighter task lighting in the bathroom.
Seek the services of a professional
While an ensuite bathroom may just be a small room attached to your bedroom, adding an ensuite to a bedroom requires a lot of planning and brilliant execution. You have to make sure that the project does not threaten the structural integrity of the building.
Other factors such as aesthetics, space management, plumbing, and electrical aspects are done to complement the existing design of the house. When you next plan to add an ensuite to your building, the first thing to do is consult an expert to guide you on how to go about the project within budget and without distorting the house's architecture.
