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When it comes to property ownership, the rooms in a house or an apartment that usually make the first and lasting impression are the kitchen and the bathrooms. Essentially, these rooms tend to “sell” the house as they are the rooms that are used the most and offer the most functionality. In support of this, a 2022 survey that was carried out indicates that bathrooms which are outdated turned off around 66% of home buyers.
While many older homes do not feature ensuite bathrooms, newer ones are expected to for a variety of reasons. In this article, we’ll explore what an ensuite is and how it relates to bathrooms, look at the value that they bring to your home as well as consider the advantages and disadvantages of having one built or remodelled. Read on to find out more!
What does it mean for a room to be ensuite?
Individuals who are in the property market for a house or an apartment will often see real estate descriptions of properties that feature the word “ensuite”. But what is an ensuite room and why do they call it an ensuite? To answer the question of what does ensuite mean, we look at the French language for guidance. There are several synonyms in English that describe what is an ensuite and these include “adjacent” or “adjoining”, “in sequence”, “in harmony” or “then, later or next”. Although borrowed from French, determining what is ensuite in English in the real estate space is not a hard task. It simply requires a bit of research and we’re here to provide it.
What is the difference between an ensuite and a bathroom?
In the world of real estate in the UK and elsewhere, ensuite is usually used to refer to a bathroom that is adjoined to the master bedroom with a door. There is no other entrance to this bathroom than through the main bedroom itself. This gives those occupying the master bedroom more privacy and convenience as they have direct access to their ensuite bathroom without having to walk down hallways or share the bathroom with other members of the household. This should answer the question of what is an ensuite bathroom.
However, other questions also arise when it comes to ensuite bathrooms and one of these is what is the difference between an ensuite vs master bathroom. The answer to this question is that there is no difference. They are synonymous and are used interchangeably although most estate agents will refer to the French term as opposed to the English term.
In addition to this, many home buyers wish to know what is ensuite vs a private bathroom? Here, the main components of your bathroom (namely your shower/bath, toilet, sink and vanity) are accessed from within the bedroom. Meanwhile, a private bathroom with its main components is accessed from outside of the room.
What are the must-haves in an ensuite?
Other frequently encountered questions related to ensuite bathrooms include: does an ensuite need a bath; should an ensuite have a window; and does an en suite have a toilet? Here, the answer is that it will depend on the size of the house or apartment and what amount of space you have available to include for the space to be considered a bathroom. In general terms, ensuite bathrooms have a shower/bath, toilet and vanity with a sink. However, there are other differences to be kept in mind.
For example, these differences will refer to whether your ensuite bathroom is considered a full, three-quarter, or half a bathroom. With a full ensuite bathroom, the room usually contains a toilet, sink(s), a bathtub and a shower. A three-quarter bathroom contains a toilet, sink and either a shower or a bathtub. Finally, a half-bath consists of a toilet and a sink or a shower.
How much space do you need for an ensuite?
Based on the discussion above, it is clear that every property comes in different sizes. As such, when it comes to the question of how small can an ensuite be, the smallest size will be considered a half-bath. As such, when considering what is the smallest ensuite you can have, you will need to have a toilet and a sink/shower at the very least inside the room.
As for the other side of the spectrum in terms of how big does an ensuite need to be, although it can literally be any size, the average size is 30.48 square foot although the range is from 12.192 square foot to 60.96, depending on the property and the availability of additional space that you may have.
How much does an ensuite cost in the UK?
For those who are looking to remodel their homes with a particular focus on your bathrooms and ensuite bathroom, you are looking at a cost that can start from an average of £7,000. This should include electrical work, plumbing, joinery, plastering and physical building work in addition to internal plastering, painting, tiles and accessories such as bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets.
And in addition to this, another important question that often arises is: does an ensuite count as a bathroom for insurance? Although many insurance providers will differ in their definitions of bathrooms and this will be considered on a case-by-case basis, for the purposes of a quote, many insurers will consider bathrooms as such if they include toilets, ensuites as well as any wet rooms that are a part of the property.
How much value does an ensuite add?
Studies have shown that there is rising popularity in terms of ensuite bathrooms across the UK as more and more people search for homes and even homeowners look for extra added value. If you are a homeowner who would like to up their property’s value, an ensuite bathroom is said to help drive the value up in the region of around 5%.
What are the advantages of an ensuite?
There are numerous advantages of an ensuite bathroom in your home, apart from the increase in your home’s value mentioned above. These include the following:
- Extra privacy, as only you and your partner have access to it
- You will not disturb other members of your household when you use it
- You will not have to share your bathroom products with others, unless you want to
- You will be able to speed up your morning regime as opposed to sharing a bathroom
- It is highly convenient for late night bathroom breaks
- There will be no awkward bathroom encounters in the middle of the night
- They offer much more comfort and keep your personal space the way you want it without having to worry about sharing it with other members of your household or guests
What are the disadvantages of an ensuite?
Despite all the perks, ensuite bathrooms do have some disadvantages. These may include the following:
- They require additional space that is taken from the rest of the house
- You will have no privacy if it’s the only bathroom in your house
- Your home’s layout will determine whether you can or should add an ensuite
- You may disturb your partner when you use the bathroom, especially if you have different sleep schedules
Concluding remarks
Overall, however, ensuite bathrooms are not only a popular feature of any home, they also add more value and the pros certainly outweigh the cons. As such, if you’re considering having an ensuite fitted in your master bedroom, you’ll need to consult professionals who will be able to help you carry out this task. Luckily, with our expert ensuite bathroom fitters in Leicester, you have nothing to worry about and everything to gain. Get in touch with us for a consultation that can help boost your property’s value or make it a more comfortable space for you and your family members to enjoy.
As a blog writer, he shares expert knowledge and industry trends, offering valuable insights to homeowners and professionals. Join Rahul on his blog to explore tips and inspiration for your next bathroom remodelling project.
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