Creating a master ensuite: From $hitty to stunning!

Jan 15

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As you may know if you read my blog, I am currently working in a really cute bungalow that will be totally renovated and flipped to sell. Last week, I wrote about the overall project and what the home currently looks like. This week, the focus is on the master ensuite. Or should I say, CREATING a master ensuite.

Creating a Master Ensuite: What's Up?

The 3 bedroom bungalow currently has a full main bath and a powder room for the master bedroom. Here is what the space looks like.Some things to point out:

Yes, the door to the master bath is currently 24" wide. That is NOT a type-0. It is seriously 24" wide.
Yes, the toilet is located so close to the wall and so close to the vanity that there is no room to even begin to be comfortable. See why I called this shitty?
Other than the toilet and the stick on lino on the floor, the vanity and lighting is original.

Creating a Master Ensuite: What are the options?

When I first view the property and saw the space, my clients mentioned they'd like to add a shower into this bathroom. In looking at the size of the master bedroom, the size of the closet, a few things were going on in my head.

If we steal space from the closet, where will the new family that moves in put their clothes?
Can we add plumbing in this area without breaking the renovation budget?
How the hell am I going to make it all work???

Conceptual Design 1: This will not work

After I took measurements of the home and started to input them into my program, I got a real good sense at what I was dealing with. With the master closet only being 24" deep, that was not enough space to 'steal' to provide a space for a shower. I would have to steal more space from the front closet area. In looking at the front closet, I knew it really should be 24" deep as well. I started to look at IKEA Pax because I know there are closet solutions for small spaces. I also know they do have a PAX system that is 15" deep and utilizes hooks. Here is a plan that I came up with (knowing it won't work - but a plan to show my clients why it won't work). For the rendering image above, I had to make one wall invisible just to get this shot. The shower is just too small - sitting at only 30" wide. So, on to plan B

Conceptual Design 2: This will work

What is important to know about renovating a home to flip and sell is that you are really marketing it to an unknown person/family. While yes, your real estate agent may have a really good idea of who to market the home to, you have no idea who will purchase it. Knowing that my clients are heading towards a specific number to list this home when we're done, there was only one choice to make. Steal the entire space from the front closet, relocate that front closet, and create a stunning master ensuite. What do the plans look like?

Creating a Master Ensuite: The Compromise

When it comes to renovations, there is typically some kind of compromise. It might be a compromise in design, it may be a compromise in what product you use, and it might be a compromise in choosing one thing over the other. In this case, the decision to relocate the front closet, in my opinion, is a great one. Why? Look at the end result we are getting by doing so. This home is going to have a full master ensuite. Not just a powder room. Sheri Bruneau Get It Together