The master bedroom is more than just a place to sleep; it’s a space for the homeowner to relax and have personal moments. When having a home remodel, it's important to know Its size directly impacts comfort, functionality, and even property value.. As an important element of a home, its design influences the overall aesthetics, quality of life of the homeowner, and property value.
Key Factors Influencing the Size
The ideal size for a master bedroom is not a one-size-fits-all recommendation. There’s a list of factors to consider to determine what size is right for your needs.
Cultural Consideration
Different cultures around the world have their own recommendations on how big or small a master bedroom should be. Some of the common ones include Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui. Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian system of architecture and design, emphasizes a minimum bedroom size of 130 square feet to enable the flow of energy in the room. Similarly, Feng Shui, a traditional practice of geomancy (the art and science of arranging people and objects in a space) does not give exact dimensions but emphasizes the need for the bedroom to feel appropriate for its use and allow the proper flow of energy. Western cultures tend to size the master bedroom so suit specific needs, comfort, and sometimes to reflect luxury and opulence.
Geographical Variations
The size of a master bedroom generally varies depending on where you live. For example, in urban areas with a higher population but with limited space, buildings often feature compact master bedrooms to optimize the available space. On the other hand, suburban and rural homes usually have spacious master bedrooms due to the availability of land.
When compared globally, trends in the U.S. indicate larger rooms in a home compared to those in Europe and Asia. It's no surprise as America is a “bigger is better” society, leading to larger bedrooms.
Defining the Master Bedroom Dimensions
Sometimes you can simply decide the right dimension for a master bedroom by checking what’s working for others. Here are some master bedroom dimensions to consider:
Legal Minimum Bedroom Size
In the United States, there are legal minimum standards for bedroom size to ensure a safe living space considering factors like egress and ventilation. For a room to qualify as a bedroom, it must have a minimum floor area of 70 square feet. This is enough room for a bed, nightstands, and other essential furniture.
Also, the minimum ceiling height for such a space should be 7 feet. That’s why the standard height of an American home is 8 feet just slightly, above the recommended height. This room must have a window for natural light and a door to exit.
Small Master Bedrooms:
Small master bedrooms measuring 100 -144 square feet offer an intimate space for the user. These types of bedrooms are best for queen beds with a few pieces of furniture such as a small dresser and nighstands.
Average Master Bedrooms:
Bedrooms in most homes range in size with the average master bedroom dimensions falling between 224 and 270 square feet. This room size can comfortably fit a king-size bed, nightstands, and a small seating area.
Large Master Bedrooms:
Larger master bedrooms are often bigger than 320 square feet and reach dimensions of about 20 x 25 feet or more, offering a huge space for luxurious living. With such a large room, you can add additional spaces like sitting areas, a walk-in closet, a commode, nightstands, a desk and more.
Extra-Large Master Bedrooms:
For extra large bedrooms with dimensions over 20 x 22 feet, you get into homes exceeding 3,000 square feet. Such bedrooms can have a ceiling height of up to 13 feet to make the space feel vast. Of course the sky’s the limit for what you can put in these extra-large master bedrooms and they often reflect the opulence and luxury of the owner. How about a hot tub in your bedroom!?
Impact of Bed Size on Room Dimensions
If you already own a bed and want a bedroom dimension that will fit it, here are the size recommendations to consider:
Queen Bed
A queen bed fits well in a bedroom that has at least 10 feet of width to provide a comfortable space to move and has nightstands on both sides of the bed.
King Bed
A king-sized bed requires more space than that of a queen bed. Aim for a minimum of 14 feet width to accommodate a nightstand and the ability to move around it freely
California King
This type of bed works best in rooms that are over 16x20 feet because of its elongated dimensions. The dimension provides sufficient space for furniture and space to move around comfortably.
Functionality Beyond Sleeping
A master bedroom has evolved from a sleeping area into a space where a homeowner can do different tasks before they can face the world. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
Sitting Areas in Master Bedrooms
If you value having sitting areas in your bedroom,16 x 20 feet or larger bedrooms are recommended. In such a space, you can add armchairs, ottomans, or a reading nook. This extra space allows for a place to unwind and read.
Walk-in Closets and En-suite Bathrooms
When it comes to having amenities like closets and bathrooms in the bedroom, you need a bigger master bedroom. You need a larger size bedroom to accommodate both these additions as they require an extra door to swing open into the bedroom.
Desk for Work From Home
In a world where everything is done from home, oftentimes people find themselves putting a desk in their bedroom as a home office. If you are remodeling the space to be a rental, having a big enough bedroom is key as roommates may each want to put a desk in the room and work from home. Generally having a room that is between 90-150 square feet is enough to put a desk in comfortably and not feel cramped.
Multi-functional Spaces
Modern lifestyles are causing master bedrooms to expand to accommodate everything a homeowner needs within one room. For example, like previously mentioned, it’s not uncommon for a master bedroom to have a home office within it for those who work from home. Also, workout corners with exercising equipment like a Pelaton have become a necessity for busy professionals who don’t have the time or desire to go to a gym. For new parents, having nursery nooks in one corner of the bedroom makes it possible to nurture their babies not too far from their presence. If you want a multi-functional master bedroom, you will naturally need a bigger master bedroom to make maneuvering around the room easy.
Consider the Room’s Uses
When considering your build, you want a bedroom that reflects your style and provides a space where you can relax and do whatever you want to be done. Think about all the things that you want to do in the room, and build the size accordingly. If you plan on renting the space, think about how your renters may use it as well. Of course, keep in mind that a bigger room means more construction costs and maintenance costs so balance those facts against your budget as well.
Another useful consideration to keep in mind is to maintain about 30 to 36 inches of clearance around each piece of furniture for easier movement. Also, prioritize proportional furniture to avoid overcrowding or sparsity in your bedroom.
Finally, don’t just focus on the size of the room and forget about lighting the space. You want to maximize natural light using large windows or skylights. If the room isn’t as big as you would want, use mirrors strategically to create an illusion of more space.
Build the Perfect Size of a Master Bedroom
The size of the master bedroom impacts comfort, design, and the value of the property, so choose wisely! Sometimes it's hard to decide just how big the master bedroom should be, so it's wise to consult a building professional for recommendations on your project. Are you looking for home remodel services and want to build a master bedroom in your home? Lumina construction specializes in building master bedrooms and can help you achieve your dreams. Request a quote from us or call us today at 212-920-9163!