An ensuite is a personal bathroom directly connected to a bedroom (usually the master). Ensuites are very common in Australian home design, particularly for apartment living. This is especially true for new houses and apartments, which are generally much larger and include more rooms/facilities.
Ensuite meaning
The English use of ensuite (or on sweet) originated from the French phrase, en suite, meaning ‘in sequence.’
Ensuites are almost always attached to the master bedroom. The master bedroom is the main bedroom in the house (usually the largest and nicest one). The majority of ensuites are designed for a couple’s room – especially parents – to efficiently reduce the amount of people using the communal bathroom.
The main draw of an ensuite is the privacy that it affords; with a private bathroom couples, parents, and individuals are able to relax in their own space and shower or bathe without worrying about someone else needing to use the area. Other benefits to ensuites include their hygiene, lesser known mental health aspects, and ease of installation.
Design
Because ensuites are usually attached to master bedrooms, their design tends to focus on luxury. The master bedroom is usually the most extravagant room in the house, and the ensuite should maintain this mantle. Typically, ensuite designs are more personalised than regular bathrooms – as they belong primarily to one or two people – and have bolder colour schemes, fixtures, tiles and artistic accents.
This is also reflected in the layout of an ensuite. Ensuites are typically quite small and narrow. The average ensuite is around 1.2m wide x 2.1m long. By contrast, the average bathroom size in Australia is 3m x 2m. However, ensuite configurations are designed to make the most of these features using a variety of strategies.
An ensuite will always feature a sink and toilet (known as a half bath), and almost always a shower. Occasionally they will manage a bathtub as well (known as a full bath). Typically, toilets will not have their own separate enclosed area within the bathroom as they are not used by that many people and the second bathroom provides an option for those who need access to the toilet while the ensuite is occupied (for example, while showering).
The layout of your ensuite will depend heavily on the dimensions of the space. If you get to choose those dimensions, congratulations! You have complete freedom with your layout and you can have a spacious ensuite with a huge bathtub, shower, enclosed toilet and sink. If you’re working with a less flexible space, here are a few of the standard floor plans for Australian ensuites (and a few extravagant ones to inspire those who want to go all-out).
Ensuite floor plans with dimensions: Images of the best ensuite design floor plan for modern Australian home
8. Narrow
This is the most common type of ensuite bathroom, and by extension the most common layout. This layout has just enough space to fit a toilet, sink and shower/bathtub (provided you have a tub shower and not two separate appliances).
The sink is placed next to the door as it takes up the least space and will not impede the door opening or closing. The toilet is next to the sink, and the shower next to the toilet. This is a standard design which has worked for many houses with small ensuites.
7. Tiny
A half bath ensuite is the smallest ensuite size. It will just barely fit a toilet and basin, or a shower and basin. They are usually attached to very small bedrooms, so every inch of space is critical.
There are not a lot of layout options with such a small space, but the toilet is generally facing the door from the furthest point it can fit. Sinks are usually tucked behind the door (so the door will have to be closed to access the sink.
6. Modern
For a slightly more modern style, consider installing a corner shower. This is a space saving strategy that will open up the space of your bathroom and adhere to the interior design concept, the rule of three.
5. Space saving
When you’re truly pressed for space, a simple layout is the best layout. A design like this allows you to fit a small basin, corner shower, toilet and bath all in less than 3m x 3m space. This is because every feature is set back against the wall, giving the impression of open floor space.
4. Shower room
A shower room ensuite is a less common layout, has a number of benefits. Having a private room just for a shower is a decadent luxury. The room fills up much faster with steam and creates an oasis from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
3. Bathtub included
Ensuites with baths are the absolute peak of private bathroom living. They are even achievable with limited space. There are a few configurations you can choose, but a narrow bathtub like the one in the floor plan above will help to minimize the floor space that gets taken up. Another layout option is to forgo the shower in exchange for the bathtub – for showers, you could always use the communal bathroom.
2. Ensuite and walk in robe
This is the crown jewel of a master bedroom ensuite. Placing the ensuite through a walk in closet is a powerful choice which will only enhance the seclusion of your private bathroom. The closet also serves as a buffer between your bedroom and bathroom, so you do not have to look straight into your bathroom whenever you are in bed.
1. Open plan
An open plan ensuite is a bold new trend in modern design. Keeping the bathroom connected to the bedroom rather than cut off with walls or doors is an excellent way to give the impression of a large open space.
