When you’re considering buying or building a new home, selecting the ideal location for your master bedroom is just as important as choosing upgrades and flooring. After all, you’ll spend one third of your day in this room. Although everyone has a different idea of the perfect master bedroom spot, you’ll want to keep these pros and cons in mind when you make your decision.
First Floor Master Bedroom
Pros: First floor master bedrooms are extremely convenient and offer the ultimate in one-floor living. If you still have kids at home or frequently host overnight guests, a master bedroom on the first floor may be particularly attractive. Not a fan of heat and humidity? Although retiring to a warmer climate may be the dream for some retirees, more and more people are opting to age-in-place. When you add a master bedroom to your first floor, your home won’t require costly modifications if you ever experience any mobility issues.
First floor bedrooms also increase resale value and can lower your utility bills. If no one is using the second floor bedrooms, you can probably get by with minimal heating and cooling for the entire second floor.
Cons: A first floor master bedroom can be noisy, depending on its location. If the room is too close to the family room or kitchen, it might not be quite as quiet as you imagined. When the room faces the front of the house, traffic noise and headlights may disrupt your sleep.
Second Floor Master Bedroom
Pros: It makes sense to place your master bedroom far from the heart of your home if you’re a light sleeper. When you choose a second floor location, you’re less likely to be bothered by noise from the TV in the great room or clattering pots and pans in the kitchen.
Although your room will be on the same floor as the other bedrooms, you can still maintain your privacy by placing the master bedroom at one end of the hall. Views of your property and neighborhood also tend to be better from the second floor.
Cons: Some noise transmission from other bedrooms is bound to occur in a second floor master bedroom suite. Climbing stairs may not be a problem now, but if you ever break your leg or experience mobility issues as you age, you may be unable to reach your bedroom.
Back Master Bedroom
Pros: The back of the house offers one of the quietest locations for your master bedroom. You’ll be far from the other bedrooms and will be less likely to hear street noises or people entering or leaving your home. You also won’t have to worry about streetlights shining in your bedroom window when you’re trying to sleep.
Cons: A master bedroom in the back of the house may make you feel a little too disconnected from things, particularly if you have children.
Front Master Bedroom
Pros: Front master bedrooms can improve your peace of mind. It will only take a quick look out the window to identify visitors or determine if a passing storm dumped any tree branches in your driveway. Front master bedrooms often are closer to other bedrooms in the home, which can be convenient if you have young children.
Cons: You’re more likely to be bothered by street lights, approaching headlights and neighbors who engage in loud conversations during their 6 a.m. walks around the block when your room is in the front of the house. You’ll also need to make sure that your blinds or curtains are closed before you change into your pajamas or risk becoming more intimately acquainted with the neighbors than you ever intended