When building or renovating your dream home, it is important to consider the size of your master bedroom. How big your master bedroom needs to depend on quite a few factors, and of course also on your own preferences.
Key things to consider are what type of furniture you have or want to buy to fit into your master without having too much clutter.
You will be spending a lot of time in your bedroom, so getting the size and design right is vital. You don’t want to feel claustrophobic like the walls are closing in on you or not being able to make that king-size bed you’ve been eyeing fit.
Below I will discuss the average size for a modern master bedroom in the US, plus some valuable tips I have found helpful when designing an open and airy bedroom to create the illusion of more space. There are several techniques you can implement to achieve this look, which I will discuss in detail.
In a nutshell, the average dimensions of a master bedroom in the US vary primarily by the type of home and location. For new homes, the average master bedroom size is around 200-250 square feet for houses, while it’s only around 132 square feet (11 feet by 12 feet) for apartments.
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Average Master Bedroom Size
Modern homes in the US are generally between 2000 to 3000 square feet, which means your master bedroom should typically be between 200-300 square feet.
If you are lucky enough to have a home 3000 square feet or over, the average size for the master bedroom would commonly be 400-450 square feet.
If you have an apartment or if your house is smaller, your master bedroom should be no smaller than 10 x 12 feet (120 square feet) to be able to accommodate a king-sized bed. However, if you would like to add additional furniture like a dresser or armchair, you will need the dimensions to be at least 12 x 14 feet.
Factors that Can Affect the Size of Your Master Bedroom
When it comes to designing your home and master bedroom, there are a few factors you should keep in mind.
Size of Your Home
Generally, the bigger your home, the bigger the master bedroom, although there are a few exceptions. Having a larger master will allow you to add more furniture and a nice big master bathroom and walk-in closet.
Smaller homes would require you to make some tweaks to make the master bedroom appear bigger while sacrificing some furniture that might not fit. You might also need to get rid of a master bathroom or a walk-in closet from your plans to save space.
Cost
Creating that perfect space for your master will require a bigger budget. Before deciding on the size of your bedroom, ask yourself what size bed you need.
Also, think about whether you want built-in cupboards or a walk-in closet. Another thing to consider is whether you want a master bathroom and what size that needs to be. All these small details will determine the cost of your master bedroom and whether or not you will be able to afford your design.
Your Personal Preferences
It will be your personal haven at the end of the day, and you have to decide what you want and need. Some people like a smaller size as they tend to only sleep in their room and prefer their living space to be bigger.
However, other people want a palace of a master bedroom, with fireplaces, couches, a massive walk-in closet and master bathroom with walk-in showers, and a Jacuzzi bath. Everyone has different tastes and styles, and you should design your home according to your own likings.
Ways to Make your Master Bedroom Appear Bigger
If you don’t have the option to build a bigger master bedroom, there are several ways to make your bedroom appear larger than it actually is.
Maximize Your Space by Having a Bed with Built-in Drawers
Having storage in your bed, like this option from Prepac, will help you minimize the amount of furniture you need in your room and create additional space to make it appear larger.
Paint Your Bedroom One Color
For a more open, airy feel, paint your bedroom one color. Try to avoid dark colors; white is your best friend. Not only does white go with every other color, it helps those four walls almost disappear, giving your bedroom a spacious feel.
When painting your bedroom one color, be sure to include your floor and ceiling in the plan. While you can obviously paint your ceiling, painted floors can look messy or uneven. So, my advice would be to aim for white tiles, carpet, or laminate flooring instead.
Floating Bedside Tables and Shelves
Floating bedside tables and shelves are not only modern and contemporary; they also make your room look bigger by taking up minimal space.
Buy a Low Bed
Everyone wants a big bed, and of course, they are the best option for a master bedroom; however, having a tall, bulky bed can cramp up your room and make it appear smaller.
You don’t have to compromise when it comes to the size; all you have to do is buy a relatively low bed (like minimalistic metal beds). Aim for a low-slung bed like this that makes your bedroom look much bigger than it actually is.
Simple Bedding
Try to avoid bulky quilts or layers of blankets on your bed. Instead, opt for simple bedding with clean lines. You can use airy fabrics like linen and cotton to complete this look. This bedding will create the illusion of a fresh and open space.
If you live in an area where you need warm bedding, try a down duvet inner with a sleek linen cover and lovely warm, fluffy throw to complete the look.
Decrease the Number of Decorative Pillows
Keeping your bedroom simple but elegant is the best way to achieve a spacious look. All those scatter cushions on your bed need to go!
These cushions create clutter in your bedroom, making it appear smaller. One or two of these accent pillows are fine, but for the illusion of a bigger room, toss the rest out.
Most ladies will not like this suggestion, but if you share a master bedroom with your significant other, combine your clothes in a large armoire instead of having separate closets.
One large armoire will take up less space than two closets, which will create the appearance of a bigger room.
Swap Your Head Board for a Shelf
One way to make your bedroom appear larger while incorporating more storage space is by ditching that headboard and replacing it with a wall-mounted shelf.
You don’t have to have the shelf over your bed, you can place it anywhere in your bedroom, but it will add balance by having something in place of a headboard.
Paint your shelf the same color as your walls to make it fade into the background, creating the illusion of extra space.
Ditch Your Curtains
Minimize clutter by ditching your curtains. Instead, opt for blinds or shutters for a clean, fresh look that will make your bedroom look heaps bigger.
Paint Your Ceiling
Creating different textures by painting your ceiling can make your bedroom appear significantly bigger.
Vertical lines or anything that draws your attention to the ceiling will be beneficial. Painting your ceiling also creates the illusion of your walls disappearing, making your master bedroom look more spacious.
How to Choose the Right Size for Your Master Bedroom
Don’t Let Design Overtake Comfort
Most people want that modern and contemporary look for their master bedroom; however, you should never compromise comfort.
You don’t want your bedroom to look amazing, but you can’t sleep or relax because you are not comfortable. If designed properly, there is a way to incorporate both aspects.
Ask for Help
Building or renovating your home is fun and exciting but can also be stressful and tiring. Sometimes it helps to have a fresh pair of eyes to weigh in if you feel stuck and can’t seem to make a decision.
I changed my mind about 20 times when renovating my home, and once I asked for help, my ideas (along with others’) came together perfectly.
Make a Decision and Stick to It
Changing your plans during construction can be costly. To save yourself time, money, and additional stress, try to stick to the decision that you’ve already made.
Final Thoughts
The size of your master bedroom will depend primarily on the square footage of your home. That, in turn, depends a lot on the location of your home. For example, a small apartment in New York City can cost significantly more than a much larger house in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Houses between 2-3K square feet typically have a master bedroom between 250-300 square feet. If your home is larger than 3,000 square feet, your master bedroom should generally be between 350-450 square feet, with bedrooms much larger than that being extremely uncommon.
Factors to consider when building or renovating your master are your home’s cost, size, and your unique needs.
If you want your master bedroom to appear bigger but do not have the budget to renovate, there are different methods you can implement that will give the illusion of more space. For example, paint your room one color or ditch your curtains for blinds or shutters.
When designing your master bedroom, be sure not to choose design over comfort. There is no point in having a beautifully decorated room if you can’t sleep in it because you feel uncomfortable.
Make a decision and stick to it. Once the building or renovation commences, you won’t be able to change your mind. So, you should be 100% sure of the size of your master bedroom and how you are going to decorate it, ahead of time.
