10 Great Ideas for Remodeling Your Primary En-Suite

August 20, 2024

We tend to give a lot of thought to the areas of our homes that people see: the entryway, living room, kitchen, and outdoor kitchen area, for example. But what about our own private space, the haven where we spend up to a third of our lives? Your primary bedroom or en-suite is arguably the most important room in your home. If it’s not currently feeling like the restful haven it should be, it may be time to think about remodeling it. You won’t be sorry you did. Read on for ten ideas to think about as you consider remodeling your primary bedroom.

#1 Make it Bigger

Your primary en-suite (the term that refers to the primary bedroom and bathroom together) should be as spacious as possible. If yours is feeling cramped, consider expanding its square footage. The way you do this will depend on your home’s layout, your bedroom’s location, how comprehensive your remodel will be, and what your goals are. Talk to your builder or designer for help in determining what is best.

You can add an en-suite to your home on the ground floor or second floor. This gives you control over the size and layout of the space, because it’s brand new, designed just as you want it to be.
You can add a bump-out (also called a micro-addition), which generally adds between two and fifteen square feet to the existing space. The benefit of a bump-out is that it doesn’t usually require much foundation or roofing work.
You can modify your existing space by combining two rooms into one, moving some walls, or otherwise reshaping the interior of your home to give your en-suite more square footage.

#2. Pay Attention to How it Feel

You likely want your bedroom to feel like a retreat from the pressures of the day, a haven for you to relax, recharge, and rest. As you consider remodeling it, try writing down a few descriptive words that capture your vision for the space. Then think through the following aspects of your room with those words in mind.

Do you want hardwood floors and soft rugs? Or carpet underfoot?
What color do you want the walls to be? Soft gray, moody blue, earthy green? And how about the textiles and soft furnishings? Do you want a light, neutral palette or a dark, dramatic one? Think about what colors you love and what speaks to you.
What furniture best fits with the feeling you’re going for? A simple, clean-lined bed with matching nightstands? A cozy bed with a huge, upholstered headboard? Look to the rest of your home so the styles are complementary, but also think about your bedroom as its own space and go with what you love.
What artwork fits the feel you’re going for? Sweet family photos in coordinating frames? A large piece of abstract art over the bed? Choose decor you love that holds meaning to you or “sparks joy.”

#3 Focus on the Closet

Nothing takes your primary en-suite to the next level like the perfect closet. If you have the space, include a large walk-in closet (or two!). We love customizing closets and often include such things as

custom built-ins that give you personalized, maximized storage (both concealed and open).
a fun or classy light fixture–this is the perfect place to add a personal touch with a chandelier or sconces.
well-lit mirrors that make it fun to get ready in the morning.
hidden hampers to keep dirty clothes out of sight.
a gorgeous island or other surface space so you have a place to set items.
a window if possible, to give you both natural light and a sense of openness.

#4 Make the Primary Bathroom Perfect

An essential part of the primary en-suite renovation, the primary bathroom should be both functional and luxurious, your own private retreat. If your bathroom will be used by two people, make sure it’s large enough as you consider your remodel. Ideally, you have two sinks, two mirrors, enough storage for two people, and space for both people to use the room at the same time. Consider reconfiguring the room so there is a separate toilet room to increase functionality. A large curbless shower means you have a gorgeous and accessible space that you can use now and in the future if mobility becomes an issue. Or choose a tiled shower for a beautiful, timeless look.

You may want to prioritize luxury touches like a freestanding soaking tub, a steam shower, radiant floor heating, and smart technology. Think about what will make the bathroom feel relaxing and rejuvenating. Don’t forget to add plenty of storage and personal touches.

#5 Include a Seating Area

If your bedroom has the space, a seating area is a must. Comfy chairs or a couch that can serve as a place to read, watch TV, enjoy your morning cup of coffee, or escape from the world–a seating area can be the cherry on top of a great en-suite. Consider these ideas:

Incorporate a fireplace (real or electric). Nothing is more relaxing than sitting in front of a cozy fire.
If you don’t want a fireplace, arrange your seating area near a large window or under a striking piece of art to give it a focal point.
Include comfortable seating that complements the rest of the furniture in your en-suite.
Use a coffee table or end table so you have a place to set a drink or your book.
Consider adding a coffee station or wet bar to your seating area. What could be better than brewing your favorite hot drink or pouring a glass of wine as you wind down?
If your bedroom is large, consider using larger, overstuffed furniture to keep in scale with the room and give you a soft place to sink into at the end of the day.
Define your seating area with a rug to set it apart from the rest of the room.

#6 Prioritize Ample Storage

A cluttered bedroom is the opposite of relaxing. The best way to combat this is by making sure everything has a place. As you renovate your en-suite, make sure you’re adding more storage than you think you need. Include built-ins in the bedroom, closet, and bathroom–they take up very little floor space, look luxurious, and can be customized to your unique needs and wants. Use a closet system to organize and store clothing. Take advantage of under-the-bed storage space, dressers, and shelves to keep your room tidy and organized.

#7 Address Lighting

Great lighting in your en-suite can make all the difference. Flexibility is key: you want to be able to have bright lights for getting ready in the morning and gentle lighting for winding down in the evening. As in the kitchen, layering lighting in your bedroom will enable you to have full control.

Bring in as much natural light as possible with large windows and skylights.
Use a combination of overhead lighting, lamps, wall sconces, and accent lighting. Layering different types of lighting allows you to match your lighting to your activities.
Consider a trey ceiling with cove lighting as a beautiful and soft way to support relaxing at the end of the day.
Don’t forget to include ways to block unwanted light. Blackout curtains or blinds are a necessity in any bedroom.

#8 Add Interesting Architectural Details

Take your en-suite from basic to beautiful by including and highlighting architectural details. These additions make your space stand out and look timeless and lovely, taking it from builder-grade to custom and high-end. Consider the following ideas:

Add custom lighting. You can use recessed lighting, hang a unique chandelier, or install accent lighting that highlights a particular part of the room or beautiful built-in.
Include vaulted ceilings with gorgeous molding details as an eye-catching detail.
Install interesting windows like stacked or extra large ones.
Use wainscoting on the walls and use doors with interesting details as well.

#9 Give Yourself Outdoor Access

There’s nothing better than walking outside your en-suite to your own private balcony, patio, or deck. When you’re remodeling your space, consider giving yourself access to the outdoors by installing French or sliding doors that lead to somewhere beautiful. If your primary bedroom is on the ground floor, you can walk right out onto a patio or screened porch. If it’s on the second floor, a covered deck, a sunny balcony, or again a screened porch might be perfect for you. Outfit this space with comfortable furniture, plants, great lighting, and even an outdoor fireplace. You’ll love stepping outside on crisp fall mornings or warm summer nights and enjoying the fresh air.

#10 Make Your Bedroom Smart

Smart technology is becoming increasingly popular as people realize its potential for making life easier, more automated, and more energy-efficient in all parts of the home–and the bedroom is no exception. Give these smart tools a try:

Smart lighting that reflects your circadian rhythms can help you sleep better.
Smart mattresses can sense your sleeping patterns, gather data, and suggest adjustments.
Smart thermostats allow you to set your bedroom’s temperature to a different setting for sleeping and waking. And if you install room-by-room zoning in your home, you can control each room separately.
A smart mirror can function as a TV, provide lighting, and display news and weather.
Smart motorized window treatments can slowly rise at specified times to allow you to wake naturally to the sun.

Your Dream Space

Your primary en-suite can be the most relaxing, restful, and luxurious part of your home, a haven from the world and a place where you can be yourself. This space–where you spend so much time and where you recharge–should be as beautiful and well-planned as the rest of your home. And we can help you get there. We serve Virginia, Maryland, and the DC area, and we specialize in making people’s homes perfect for them. Contact us today and let’s talk about your en-suite: what it’s like now and what you want it to be.