Are en suite baths worth the smaller mudroom?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I have a basement garage leading to a daylight basement mudroom before our kids' bedrooms. Each bedroom is an ensuite with a medium wall closet. I am considering (against the will of the kiddos) combining the bathrooms to one shared bathroom with 2 sinks in order to gain space back in the mudroom. There would no longer be ensuites, but one bathroom accessed from the hallway closer to one of the bedrooms.

We are a blended family with one 9 yo boy (his) and one 12 yo girl (mine). My daughter may hate the idea, but it seems more cost effective. Other option is to turn her bathroom 90 deg to freeup more open space in the mudroom. Also thought of taking out the slider for his bathroom to eliminate access from bedroom and make it hallway only (he is only with us 50% of the time). Anyone else with input on this dilemma? Glad to hear ideas.

An imperfect screenshot, but thought I'd add an update. We were able to move the exterior entry door for the basement mudroom to create a small vestibule under the front porch, improve room for modular closets, and keep 2 en suites (with the shared door to the lesser of the two used bathrooms).

Featured Answer

LH On the Move

4 years ago

I hate to say that the fact that they're blended siblings might make it more important to provide separate spaces, especially since the boy isn't there full time. He might always feel like a guest in HER bathroom. Giving him his own space will certainly make him feel more welcome, especially since the daughter has voiced her opinion. Why does the mudroom need to be bigger? What benefit is there to increasing the size?

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Comments (9)

chicagoans
4 years ago
If they are 9 and 12, do they still need a playroom? Is that really more of a space for doing homework? Perhaps part of that space could be used for one of the bathrooms. I have one boy and one girl, and in our previous house (sold after they were both out of college) they each had their own bathrooms. It was great that they could both get ready for school at the same time without getting in each other's ways. And no teenage girl wants to share her hygiene space with a boy.
Karen Campbell thanked chicagoans
chispa
4 years ago
By the time you get this built, your daughter will be at home for a short 4 years before she heads off to college!

Another option would be a full bathroom and a small powder room, both accessed from the hallway.

Add a window to the bathroom(s) if you can.
Karen Campbell thanked chispa
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bpath
4 years ago
Can you open up under the stairs and use that space?
jojabis
4 years ago
Could her bathroom be horizontal like his? make make the mudroom feel less pinchy. However I do think this mudroom is a generous space.
Karen Campbell
Original Author
4 years ago
Right now, the space under the stairs will be used as a coat closet. Thinking of rotating the bathroom 90 degrees to clear up space and make the mudroom more of an open rectangle. I also like the 1/2 bath idea for guests and quick access from the yard, thought I'd have to do a jack-and-jill bathroom or 2 sink bathroom for the kids to share....HMMMMMMM....thanks for the input!
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
4 years ago
We have 2 ensuite bedrooms in our basement. No mudroom or garage entry though.

I just wanted to comment on how flexible and valuable our 2 ensuites are. We are empty nesters, but they are both used fairly often. I’d hate to see you voluntarily give up that asset.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
4 years ago
That’s a good point, LH. My son has a blended family, and his son, age 12, lives there 50% of the time. He and his wife try hard to make sure that he feels 100% of the family.
Karen Campbell thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouri
Karen Campbell
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, creating inclusion in the blended family has been very important to us. it has impacted so many steps along the way. I think we've come up with a good solution, with the only difference between the two rooms being the 2nd bathroom having a 2nd door to access from the main media/play room. Thanks everyone!