How much space do you want to dedicate to it? My vestibule plan is about 6*8 with doorways to the hall, bedroom, closet, bathroom. My coffee bar and a chest alcove are also in the space. I like that this keeps the doors out of the master bedroom. But the vestibule itself is ~50 sq ft. plus another ~15 sq ft for the coffee bar and chest. I saved multiple photos and don't think a vestibule could be done right without being at least 5 ft wide.

On your plan, you could just extend the hallway to include the hallway off your bedroom to the bathroom. So you turn left from the hallway to the master or right to the bathroom. Maybe put the bedroom door closer to the foyer so there isn't a door when you turn left?

I wish houzz could provide us with thumb down button so I can properly rate totally pointless comments of @ Mark Bischak, Architect .

Well, Mark has a point. No one can offer even a hint of a suggestion without knowing what the foyer in question looks like, how the front door and rest of the house relate to the foyer, etc. I've seen entries to masters off the foyer, but so many iterations that there's no other common factor.

BT - "I wish houzz could provide us with thumb down button so I can properly rate totally pointless comments of @ Mark Bischak, Architect ."

Be careful BT, your comments may reveal more about yourself than than anything or anyone else. Many of my comments are targeted to encourage people to look beyond the mundane and develop their own individuality and to better their quality of life.

Mark-I agree that you have many great suggestions. But I feel that the immediate comments made to hire an architect to every question actually de-values architects. It also encourages people NOT to use this forum.

Bpath-OPs floorplan is available by looking at posting history.

I find the question akin to, "What color should I paint my walls?"

Yes. Instead of asking what color to paint their walls here, they should go into Sherwin Williams where there is a poster of he current most popular colors. Honestly, picking any of those will probably help them sell their house. Or they can google most popular colors. Because if they didn’t hire a designer for the decision for whatever reason, they aren’t deserving of answers to their specific questions on this forum. I’m not saying that you have to offer free valuable advise from your years of expertise. But don’t be surprised if you get push-back to your standard “hire an architect” response. And we won’t be surprised to get pushback from the S-fanclub.

Obviously my vestibule doesn’t work with OPs plan. And likely OP won’t choose to dedicate 50 sq ft for a vestibule. But give others the opportunity to help OP without sending her away with a comment that basically indicates that this forum is not for their in-educated, in-paid questions.

Baseballmom94, can you post a floor plan or anything specific to which we may respond?

"...a private vestibule or hallway off foyer connecting to master bedroom suite..."

This is so vauge and non-specific as to be impossible to which to respond with any sort of architectural advice.

Is there a way to locate the entry to the master bedroom suite somewhere other than off the foyer?

Thank you, everyone, for the comments. I appreciate everyone genuinely attempting to assist me with me questions and will attach my floor plan again. On a previous post, there were several negative comments about aspects of the plan. I've addressed most of these comments with the builder and he is very adaptable and easy to work with. I personally think the plan flows pretty nicely for our needs. It would be nice to locate the entry to the master somewhere other than the foyer, however, there doesn't seem to be an efficient way to do this without adding a lot of square footage. I did go in a model home of a different builder today that had a very similar master entry hall off the foyer and it was recessed enough for it to not seem very noticeable as you enter from the foyer. B Carey, your vestibule and coffee bar area sounds amazing - wish I could fit that into my plan and budget!

Baseballmom94's Home Ideas · More Info

ditto what BT said. It realllllllly is getting OLD!

'Be careful BT, your comments may reveal more about yourself than than
anything or anyone else. Many of my comments are targeted to encourage
people to look beyond the mundane and develop their own individuality
and to better their quality of life.'

And to put ALLOT of profit in the architects pockets!!!!! That's the bottom line!

The bottom line is the home owner gets a house they can enjoy life in. There is an expense in investing in an architect as in there is an expense in building any house. An architect can be very helpful in helping to achieve what one wants in a home. Go attack someone else.

Is there a compelling reason the master bathroom is at the front of the house and there are no windows on that side of the house? It is not necessarily bad, just not ideal, as long as there is a good reason for it.

I was wondering the same, Mark. If the next door house is close, maybe put a couple of small windows up high (for light). It's a big room to only have one window.

Be sure all the outside wall plumbing is well insulated - spray insulation would be best. Outside walls are not the best place to put plumbing. I'm in the South, and it is still avoided.

One of my friends has a MBR off her foyer, very similar to yours. You know it's the MBR, but you cannot see directly into it, so it's not bad. Just be sure your vestibule into the MBR is large enough to get furniture, etc through. Sometimes the turns are tight and ceiling is low, so that large pieces cannot enter.

Good luck with you build.

Looks like you are building a lovely and gracious home. I just don’t get why anyone would purposely create a large and formal entry leading an elegant great room (with an impressive fireplace and soaring ceilings) in which to entertain guests who can look casually to their left and see the kitchen sink and range. I know this is the current trend, but I just don’t get it.

I wouldn’t think of the master bedroom being off the foyer, but rather off the hallway. But there would be a huge benefit in my mind to swapping the master and the secondary bedroom locations.

1st, you could have the secondary bathroom also serve as the powder room.

2nd, the nice front of house window could be in the 2nd bedroom...which could maybe serve as an office also.

3rd, your laundry room would be much closer to the master closets, wth even possibly a walkthrough.

4th, you don’t need to walk clear across the house when you get in your car and realize you didn’t put on earrings/watch/whatever...lol

I agree ^^^, the MBR is located on the circulation path which runs the length of the house from left to right.

In the small alcove where the MBR door is located, simply add an interesting small table or chest, a gorgeous piece of large art on the wall and a wall-washer lighting fixture to illuminate the painting. All will be fine. When folks look towards the alcove, it will be a memorable view. There's no problem!

Good luck with your project.

PS: Thanks for posting the floor plan. It makes your question understandable and makes possible a reasonable response.

I think it’s fine as drawn. Just make sure of your alcove clearances. A 4’ wide by 4’ deep alcove should accommodate most all bedroom furniture except maybe a sofa. We got our large pieces (dresser, king bed, mattresses, etc.) in and out easily with ours being roughly that size. We didn’t have a sofa in our MBR so I can’t say for sure if it would’ve fit or not.

Thank you all for the helpful responses and thought-provoking responses. Wow, B Carey, now you've given me another possibility to rack my brain with! I can see your point about switching the guest bedroom with the master suite. I am also concerned about the potential noise from the television (which will hang above the fireplace) affecting the master bedroom when my hubby goes to bed early. Definitely need to ask my builder about soundproofing in that wall. I'll check with him about the viability of switching the guest bedroom with the master suite. Otherwise, it sounds like the current plan will work. Virgil, I like your idea of putting a small table and artwork in the alcove. We were thinking of moving the door down two feet which would not allow this. Maybe we should alter that idea?

As far as the alcove to the MBR, I would not change a thing. The current design allows you a creative opportunity much greater and of longer term value than simply making the corridor and alcove as absolutely efficient as possible. I'd devote my attention elsewere if it was my house! :-)

Thank you, Virgil. I appreciate your encouragement :-) I'm a bit confused though: were you agreeing with B Carey that I should switch the MBR and secondary bedroom location?

No, I only responded to your question about the entry to the MBR.

Mark B. asked about why the master bathroom is in the front of the house and why are there no windows on that side of the house. I agree that it is not an ideal location for the master bathroom however I wanted the master bedroom to be in the back of the house and didn't want to walk through the bathroom to get to the closets. There are no windows on that one particular side of the house where the master bedroom is because it faces west and I detest the afternoon western sun coming into the house. I would possibly consider transoms in the master bedroom but not sure if I would like that look.

I think the idea of switching location of master and guest bedroom was made in your other post, if I'm correct. Doing this would be a benefit for aging in place. You would also avoid the 'always closed blinds' in your master bath window along with the other points made above. If you go that route, I would put the bathroom/closet in between garage and bedroom. This way your master can have the backyard view and windows on two sides. If you leave the plan as is, maybe opt for a slider along the back wall, which would help to get furniture in/out and a safety exit.

Mark-I agree that you have many great suggestions. But I feel that the immediate comments made to hire an architect to every question actually de-values architects. It also encourages people NOT to use this forum.

I agree. "Hire an architect" seems to be the go-to response on this board lately. I'm more interested in discussion than this shut-down comment.

I find the question akin to, "What color should I paint my walls?"

In this particular case, I agree that the question is so vague that it cannot be answered.

On a previous post, there were several negative comments about aspects of the plan.

I remember this house plan, and it does have a number of things that can be improved. Is your plan to stick with this /adapt it further, or are you looking for a new start?
I suggest you make a list of what you want in your master bedroom. For example:

- Located near the garage entrance

- Large closet (with storage for linens and suitcases) near the laundry room

- Space for a king bed, two nightstands and a chair

- Windows on two walls

- Full wall of bookcases