[Escape Room]

An ensuite can look and function very differently to a main bathroom. We asked the experts for their tips on how to design a space that’s your own personal haven.

PRIORITISE YOUR PREFERENCES

You could argue that an ensuite is the most personal space in the house, says Aaron Wong, principal designer for Alexander Pollock Interiors in Melbourne. “Everyone has their quirks when it comes to cleanliness and organisation, so I use these as a starting point,” he says. “What constitutes a ‘must-have’ will vary: a couple might insist on two vanities, for example.” The same level of personalisation doesn’t apply to a main bathroom, which needs to cater more broadly to the whole household (and often guests, too).

LOOK TO LUXURY

“Focus on luxury and creating a sense of sanctuary as a key design driver,” advises Shaun Lockyer, principal of Shaun Lockyer Architects in Brisbane. “A family bathroom might not need to encompass luxury in the same way. Ideally, an ensuite should feel resort-like, so its users feel a sense of ‘escape’ on a daily basis.” Because the ensuite is sometimes the only room that isn’t shared by the family, it deserves special treatment, says Vanessa Cook, design manager at Smarter Bathrooms+. “Homeowners are almost always willing to spend more to make this space exceptional.”

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