First-floor Owner’s Suite: The Right Fit for Your Lifestyle

There’s a growing trend toward situating the master suite on the main floor of a home. For some Baker Residential  homebuyers, it’s the convenience of walking out your bedroom door to the kitchen to grab a late-night snack or early morning coffee. Others are looking at avoiding stairs at all cost. Is the first-floor owner’s suite the right fit for your lifestyle? Think now for later so that you have the right home to last for years to come. 

First-floor living, complete

The open concept floor plan has given homeowners a main living area that encompasses all the basic needs: cooking, eating, lounging, and entertaining, with a powder room for the all-important bathroom breaks. So, why not choose a floor plan where your master suite is on the same level where you enjoy all these activities, including stepping out to your patio? Many younger buyers are opting for the convenience of a downstairs suite for this reason. Think about getting ready for work in the morning. How many times would you run up and down the stairs? Instead, you could be just steps from the kitchen or the dining room table where you left the work you brought home. For productivity, the first-floor owner’s suite is a definite fit!

The multi-generational household

The number of homes that blend multiple generations is soaring. Two years ago, 64 million Americans—20% of the population—were living with two or more adult generations. We haven’t seen this strong of a trend since 1950!

Maybe you have a parent or grandparent who might benefit from living with you. Unlike earlier generations, today’s elderly population doesn’t gravitate toward nursing homes. They want to remain in a home atmosphere. A first-floor owner’s suite gives them comfort and convenience, without the worry of navigating staircases.

This design also accommodates aging in place for the homeowner. While you might be fine with a second-floor master now, consider how long you expect to live in this house. One of the main reasons people buy a new home as they edge toward 55 is to gain single-level living. If you plan now, you can remain in your home.

Another alternative is a home with two suites: one up, one down, like The Woodlawn design. The owner’s suite is situated on the second floor, but this floor plan also has a first-floor guest room with full bath that can be extended into a suite. You could keep the second-floor master for yourself and welcome a family member to the first-floor suite. Eventually, you move downstairs when you’re ready.

Privacy, please

A bedroom or suite is the place where you go to be undisturbed. Families with ‘tweens and teens in their household can appreciate the value of giving the children the run of the upstairs. Steal away to your retreat without the sound of active kids on the other side of the wall.

Even a townhome can accommodate the preference for a first-floor master. The Broadmoor, our 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath floor plan, situates the owner’s suite on the main floor. Two more bedrooms, a full bath, and a loft are upstairs where the rest of your household can have their private pace.

Whether you want your owner’s suite upstairs or down, talk to your builder about your options. Baker Residential develops distinctive communities of stately single-family homes and luxury townhomes up and down the East Coast—from North Carolina to New York. Let’s build your future together!