How to Create an En Suite Bathroom
Have you always wanted an en suite bathroom? Always thought you didn’t have space or funding for it? Well, making one is easier than you think!
We asked interiors blogger, Helen Powell, from ‘The Design Hunter’ to share some of her ideas on how to create an en suite bathroom. She covers everything, from space and location to cost and design considerations for the en suite you always wanted.
So, how do you create an en suite bathroom? To find out, this month's edition of our Expert Writer series is here to help!
Read on for her expert insight for creating an en suite bathroom!
A master bedroom with an en suite bathroom is something many people include on their wishlist when hunting for their dream home.
As well as providing a luxurious private space, in busy households, where different members of the family all need to use the bathroom at the same time each morning, a well-designed en suite can also help ensure your day gets off to a smoother start.
But if your home doesn’t already have an en suite how easy is it to add one?
If you are thinking of extending or reconfiguring your home to accommodate one here are some of the things you may need to consider.
Location
The first thing you’ll need to decide is where your en suite will be located. Will you be adding space by building an extension or undertaking a loft conversion? Alternatively, will you fit it into an existing part of your home – by converting a small box room perhaps, or maybe even partitioning off part of a large bedroom?
Size and space
You don’t necessarily need to have a large home to accommodate an en suite bathroom. With creative design and planning, it’s often possible to fit one into a fairly tight space. An area 160cm by 160cm will work for a basic en suite with a shower, toilet and wash basin for example, but if you are planning to also include a bath you’ll need a little more room.
How much will it cost?
There’s no one size fits all answer to this as it depends on where you locate your en suite, how much plumbing needs to be re-routed and the type of fixtures and fittings you choose.
As well as the cost of sanitaryware you will also need to budget for labour, tiling, taps and plumbing materials. As a rough guide, allow from £3,000 for a relatively small and straightforward en suite. A larger space with higher spec fittings could cost up to £10,000.
How will it affect the value of your home?
You may want to consider the cost of adding an en suite bathroom in relation to the effect it could have on the value of your home. Some reports suggest that adding an en suite could increase the value of your home by up to 5%.
However, if you are planning to convert an existing part of your home rather than adding additional space then you will, of course, need to consider the impact of losing that space. A little-used box room may be put to far better use as an en suite, but it’s worth checking with local estate agents.
Losing a bedroom could negatively impact the value of your home should you decide to move in the future, but this may be offset by the added value of an en suite. A local estate agent familiar with homes in your area should be able to advise on this.
Practical Considerations
In deciding where to locate your en suite one of the main things you’ll need to consider is where the soil pipe is positioned. Moving a soil pipe is usually costly and disruptive and may not be practical, so the location of your en suite will usually be determined by this.
If you need to run new pipework for plumbing or radiators your plumber may also need to lift the floorboards. This can be disruptive and may have knock-on implications for other areas of your home which may then subsequently need to be redecorated.
Will I need planning permission?
If you are converting an existing space to create an en suite then planning permission is not usually required, but you will need to gain building regulations approval.
Your local council will be able to advise on the guidelines you need to follow. These will include ensuring that the space has adequate ventilation (windows or an extraction fan) and that the lighting has a suitable rating for bathroom use.
If you intend to undertake major work on your home such as a loft conversion or an extension, which may require planning permission, then the best time to plan an en suite is usually as part of one of those larger projects.
Design Considerations
Aiming to fit an en suite into a relatively tight space? Fortunately, there are plenty of space-saving designs available – from slimline cisterns and short projection toilets to corner basins. Pocket doors that retract into a stud wall will also help make the most of a smaller space.
For a more luxurious, boutique hotel style look you could consider fitting glass doors or a glass screen to divide your en suite from the bedroom area. This will create a spacious open plan feel - ideal for making a feature of a freestanding bath. You may want to tuck the toilet away out of view though!
With some clever thinking, and the right products, it’s possible to create a well-designed en suite that works for you no matter what the current layout of your home.
If you're looking for further ensuite or small bathroom inspiration, you may also like - Ensuite Bathroom Ideas - How to Design a Small Bathroom - 5 Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Look Larger.
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