When building multi-storey homes, it’s common to put the master bedroom on one of the upper levels, whether for views or privacy. However, there are many reasons why we recommend that the main bedroom should be located on the ground floor.
Aging in place
If it’s at all possible that you’ll stay in the same home into old age, putting your master bedroom on the ground floor should be a priority. It’s impossible to know how you’ll age but preparing for possible mobility issues will save you a lot of heartache in future. Stairs can be annoying enough, after all, but imagine them with joint pain!
To ensure best mobility, the room should allow for a path of 1000mm on at least one side of the bed. Ideally, it should also include a space of 1.5x1.5m to allow for turning in a wheelchair.
Best for re-sale
Even if you plan to sell your home, a ground floor master bedroom is a great idea. No matter your price range, it could add significant value. It’ll appeal to a wider range of buyers and, possibly most significantly, to buyers over 50. And we all know these are the buyers most likely to have money.
Street surveillance
A ground floor bedroom at the front of the block (and ideally near the front door) is great for street surveillance. You’ll never be unsure about what’s going on in your street, and you can easily keep an eye on who’s coming in and out of your house. For parents of teenage kids, it can be that extra reassurance you need that they won’t be sneaking off without your knowledge.
Garden views
Whether you have a front or back yard, with the correct placement, your ground floor master could have some gorgeous garden views. Include some glass doors and you can go straight outside from your bedroom. Is there any better way to wake up than that?
Care for a loved one
Maybe you’re not the one who needs the ground floor bedroom, but one of your loved ones might. If you have aging parents that might need to move in one day, a ground floor bedroom will make this much easier. It’s also a great option if you have a friend with mobility issues that comes to visit relatively often.
Space from older children
If you have children, they’re most likely going to start wanting more privacy and independence as they get older. A ground floor master bedroom can give you both the space you need to keep a civil household. And if they have friends over, or play video games, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the chance to be as far away from them as possible.
It’s cooler in summer
For those in hot climates, having your master bedroom on the ground floor will also be more comfortable and better for the environment. As heat rises, upstairs rooms are significantly warmer than downstairs. And, if like most people, you turn on the air conditioner to cope with this, you’ll be wasting energy and money on electricity. A ground floor master bedroom will be much cooler without the need for such interventions.
Designing your home to have your master bedroom on the ground floor has many advantages. But if you’re not keen for it just yet, including a space that can easily be adapted will also suffice. If you do develop mobility issues, or simply get sick of going up and down the stairs all the time, it’ll be much easier to move some furniture than moving house or renovating.
Words by Ellie Prober with Ben Caine