What Is an En Suite Bathroom? A Complete Guide

If you’re house hunting or planning a major remodel, you’ve encountered your fair share of real estate terms. For many of us, “en suite bathroom” is a familiar phrase that’s a symbol of luxury: a private adjoining bathroom right off your bedroom. But what does the term actually mean? Here, we break it all down, including pros and cons and why you might want to choose this style of bathroom over another.

What Is an En Suite Bathroom?

An en suite bathroom is a bathroom that’s directly attached to a bedroom. This is a popular style for modern bathrooms in larger homes or luxury apartments. Typically, the en suite bathroom (colloquially referred to as just an en suite) is attached to the primary bedroom. Nonetheless, there are some nuances to the term and how we use it today.

En Suite vs. Ensuite 

Many people use the terms “en suite” and “ensuite” interchangeably, but they actually have different translations in French:

• Ensuite: Ensuite, as a single word, means “next” or “later” in French. This is nonstandard terminology when referring to a bathroom that’s connected to a bedroom, but it’s still used in colloquial English.

• En suite: As two words, en suite means “in the suite” or “forming a suite.” This is the standard terminology when referring to a bathroom that’s connected to a bedroom. You can also have en suite rooms (additional rooms as part of a suite) or en suite toilets (a quarter bath connected to a room). When the term is not followed by a noun, it typically refers to an en suite bathroom.

En Suite vs. Private vs. Primary Bathrooms 

En suite bathrooms differ from private and primary bathrooms—though in some instances they can be similar or the same thing. Here’s a rundown:

• En suite bathroom: En suite bathrooms are attached to a bedroom. They are not accessible from a hallway or another bedroom. They are only accessible inside the attached bedroom.

• Private bathroom: Private bathrooms are attached to a bedroom, but they’re also accessible from outside of the bedroom.

• Primary bathroom: A primary bathroom is the largest, most-used bathroom in a house. Depending on the layout, a primary bathroom could be an en suite bathroom, but it could also be somewhere else in the home, like a hallway.

Pros of En Suite Bathrooms

There’s a reason en suite bathrooms are one of the more popular bathroom remodel ideas. There are a ton of pros (providing it’s not your only bathroom).

Convenience

You can’t beat the convenience of an en suite bathroom. You just hop right out of bed and take a shower—and you’ll never have to stumble down a dark hallway to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Privacy 

Since en suite bathrooms aren’t shared with the rest of the home, you have the total privacy of your bedroom. This is particularly attractive to parents who don’t want to share a bathroom with their children.

Comfort 

An en suite bathroom typically isn’t the only bathroom in a home. Since an en suite bathroom is a private space, you can set yours up however you like, knowing that guests and other members of the household will rarely be in there.

Cons of En Suite Bathrooms

En suite bathrooms aren’t right for every home. There are some cons.

No Privacy If It’s the Only Bathroom in the Home 

If you don’t have another bathroom in your home, en suite bathrooms are not the best option. People will have to walk through your private bedroom to access the bathroom, which drastically limits your privacy. 

You May Disturb Your Partner 

Since an en suite bathroom is so close to your bedroom, it can disturb your partner. For example, a lighter sleeper might wake up if they hear someone showering early in the morning or flushing the toilet late at night.

Takes Up Valuable Space

An en suite isn’t always practical if you’re tight on space. If you don’t live in a large home, you may have to give up coveted closet space or even another whole room.

How Much Does It Cost to Add an En Suite Bathroom?

Homeowners typically spend between $13,000 to $25,000 on a full-sized bathroom conversion and up to $50,000 or more for an addition, but this price can dramatically increase depending on the materials, features, and whether or not you already have the space and nearby plumbing.

If you’re planning this project, make sure you budget for common bathroom remodeling costs such as installing a toilet, sink, bathtub, plumbing, and cabinetry.

If you’re converting an existing bathroom into an ensuite bathroom, you may want to budget for the cost of refinishing your bathtub or a tub-to-shower conversion (showers are the most common option for an en suite bathroom versus a primary bathroom).

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Adding an en suite bathroom is a job better suited for a local bathroom design company, even if you consider yourself an expert DIYer. There are multiple considerations when tackling such a large project, from deciding the bathroom’s location to plumbing, electrical, and tile work. You can also expect the project to take several weeks but could be months if you DIY. Lastly, attempting to add an en suite bathroom by yourself is dangerous and may cost far more if you have to fix mistakes down the road.

Mariel Loveland contributed to this piece.