What’s driving the trend toward two master suites?
Home design trends evolve to reflect the changing needs of homebuyers. In this case, dual owner’s suites have grown in popularity largely in response to the rise in multi-generational households.
Between 2003 and 2018, demand for “two full master bedroom suites” grew from 25% to 40%. The pandemic further emphasized the need for more space in the house as more families embraced multigenerational living.
New Jersey-based construction firm Gambrick reported a 50% increase in homes built with dual master suites between 2014 and 2019, as luxury home builders across the country integrated dual master suites into home designs into their offerings.
In 2020, the number of multigenerational households, meaning any house with two or more adult generations living under one roof, hit a new high of 7.2% (or 6 million households), according to U.S. Census data.
Top-selling Sarasota, Florida, real estate agents Lori Cashi-Haught and Tami Cashi, also known as Team Cashi, confirm that buyers in their area who actively search for (or seek to build) homes with dual primary suites are indeed planning for multigenerational living arrangements. Think: older parents moving in with their adult children, or boomerang kids who move back in with the ′rents to get on their feet financially.
Most recently, the duo helped clients build a home with dual master suites to accommodate their 50-year-old daughter and their 12-year-old granddaughter living with them in the same house.
“They’re looking for a home to suit them all, and they want to make sure they have a nice private area for their daughter,” says Lori (and nothing cramps a family’s style more than a waiting line for the shower each morning, right?).
Meanwhile, there’s also a growing desire among spouses to sleep apart when dealing with conflicting work schedules or one partner’s snoring, insomnia, and so on. Doesn’t sound like the most romantic setup, but who can argue with needing to get your beauty rest? And dual master suites make it so that no one has to play second fiddle in their own house when sleeping in the same space on a regular basis leaves you feeling like a walking zombie on zero sleep.
See the trend for yourself: Dual master suite home layout examples
To find out more about the dual master suite trend, HomeLight reached out to Schumacher Homes, an award-winning custom home builder. Schumacher provided two illuminating floor plans, which both offer a dual master suite:
And below are some model home photos of the Oakley G (gorgeous!):
You can see how the second master suite includes a small kitchenette, so you don’t even have to leave the privacy of your room to have a cup of coffee.
The en suite bathrooms include a spacious tub with jets and a large walk-in shower. Nice!
Pros and cons of the dual master suite
As with any home feature, there are both benefits and drawbacks to the dual master suite; let’s cover both sides, shall we?
Pro: Privacy under the same roof
A home with dual master suites offers the best of both worlds for adults when it comes to privacy and proximity. The suites offer space to get away and a bathroom of your own, with a location just a few paces away from the other suite. Whether it’s a young adult who boomerangs back home or aging parents who need to move in with a child, the suites bring a sense of independence to each party under the same roof.
Con: Not great for kids
Sometimes the privacy dual master suites offer can take it a step too far.
“I see homes where you have two masters and the parents don’t want to have their kids in a giant master suite. It just seems sort of odd,” explains agent Lori Cashi-Haught.
Putting that much space between a young child and their parents can be somewhat isolating and could be too much space for a growing family.
Pro: An easier way to buy a home with a friend
Co-buying is on the rise: 26.7% of all single-family homes in 2023 were estimated to be co-bought among friends, and dual master suites can make such a living arrangement much easier. Both owners have their own place to retreat, complete with a private bathroom and spacious bedroom, which also removes the tension of who gets the biggest bedroom. Similar to split-level homes, houses with dual primary suites can also be great for young adults seeking to live with a roommate.
Con: More private space means less communal space
Dual master suites take up more square footage in a home than traditional bedrooms and, depending on the size of the house, you could be sacrificing valuable communal areas for privacy and luxury you just don’t need. If an expansive kitchen and large living room are high on your wish list, a home with dual owner’s suites might not fit your needs.
Pro: Resale will fetch a higher price
The multigenerational living trend continues to grow, and it’s putting homes with dual master suites at a premium. Another reason the demand for the dual master suite endures is because of its versatility. It can be converted into a home office or a room for aging in place — essentially, more room that buyers would be willing to pay for. Buying a home with a dual master suite now could mean riding a trend straight to the bank at time of resale.
Con: It’s out of your price range
If you’re hoping to renovate a house that’s smaller than 3,500 feet to create dual master suites, you’ll have to downsize other spaces in the home to accommodate the larger space. If you want a dual master suite in your home, better to buy one that already has the feature, or build one from the ground up.
You’re more likely to find luxury homes with dual master suites because of the space required to build them into floor plans. In addition, double the luxury master suite features and finishes can mean a higher price tag out of your budget.
As you weigh your priorities in a new home, consider your needs and lifestyle before doubling down on a property with dual master suites.
Header Image Source: (Aw Creative/ Unsplash)
