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How can I add an ensuite to master bedroom?

CB1992

Hi, I’m looking to add an ensuite to our master bedroom (4.0 x 3.9 ) which is on the bottom left of plan attached . We are happy to sacrifice some room in the master room and also in the bedroom next to it (3.6 x 3.7 )

What would your advice be to get started on this project ? I have zero experience when it comes to this sort of thing so eager to be pointed in right direction.

Also open to advice on best way to plan the ensuite

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EricL

Hello @CB1992

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your ensuite project.

I propose moving the master bedroom wall by at least 700mm towards the room that is right next to it. This will provide you with the necessary space to install a shower cubicle, a toilet at the other end and a small wash basin. I've placed a sample image below to give you an idea of how it can be laid out.

I suggest having a quick look at this guide - How to plan a bathroom renovation - by @Adam_W. My best advice is to draw up a plan on paper on what you would like to put in your ensuite and how you imagine it would be arranged. I also recommend looking at the amazing bathroom renovation projects entered in this year's July DIY competition - Australia's Best D.I.Y. Projects 2026. It should provide you with enough inspiration and ideas on how you can design your ensuite.

Once you have a general plan drawn up, I recommend speaking to a builder who has experience in bathroom additions and getting a detailed quote.

Let me call on our experienced members @Patsy60, @RobertWineberg, @Eilamoffat, @Tiffany_S, @hm495, @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @R4addZ and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

R4addZ

Hi @CB1992

You can fit a King size bed in a room about 2700mm wide and this allows for a 450mm wide side cabinet either side although that may feel a bit snug. so probably best not to loose too much off the master however it means you could expand out the toilet end of the room proposed by @Eric L and put a small corner handbasin in next to the toilet allowing the door to open inwards.

R4addZ

@CB1992

Just a little further with this idea. you would still have to push the bed over towards the window with the straight ensuite in order to give you room to open the door if it opens outwards. The advantage of expanding the area where the toilet is shown is two fold, it will give an increased feeling of space in the ensuite without detracting from the space in the master and secondly you are using what would normally be pretty much dead space as the area near the top of the bed is seldom used. One good thing as well is that because you are only stealing 900 from the adjacent bathroom, it should still be over the size necessary to put a king size bed in there. The one thing you need to check though is do you have 900mm from the wall to the window frame in the second bedroom as you don't want to have to move a window if it can be avoided.

Dave-1

Good Evening @CB1992

Apart from drawing up what you are thinking of doing in regards' to the wall moving it would be wise to make sure its not a supporting wall before you consider it as it will change the costs in a large way. Getting water and sewage services to the room is another thing to have a think about, if you have a cavity under the floor then it is much easier to install the various pipes ect.

Check with a

Builder (for wall moving/possibilities)

Plumber for sewage and water

Electrician for moving power out of a wet area location if needed.

The last one I would do is to tape out on the floor using masking tape, the new edges of the rooms (both rooms). Just to see if you will be comfortable with the smaller/larger spacing.

Dave

CB1992

Thank you everyone for the information and advice so far.

I won’t be doing any of the work myself as I don’t have the experience. Who would I engage with first ?

Can a builder do up the drawings and run the entire project with all trades etc ?

There is access under the house for plumbing. Will need to confirm if wall is structural . Thanks again

EricL

Hello @CB1992

If your project requires that the wall be moved over, it will be necessary to engage the services of a draftsperson or engineer. They will be able to provide you with the necessary drawings for structural work. You can also use these drawings when applying for a permit. I propose doing a basic plan on paper so that you have a solid idea of where everything goes. I suggest speaking to at least three builders or renovation specialists and asking them for a detailed quote.

A good builder will usually have contacts such as a draftsperson, plumber, electrician, plasterer and painter. They will know what permits you'll need and a very good idea of how long the project will take. My best advice is to look carefully at the quotes and see who gives you the most comprehensive offer.

Eric

R4addZ

Hi @CB1992

Further to @Dave-1s suggestion, it is also worth using masking tape to create a layout of the proposed floorplan so you can see if the layout works for you. Use a chair to simulate the toilet and see if the space suits.

Nailbag

Hi @CB1992

Unless you need the bedroom top of the master, you could easily sacrifice it for a decent sized walk through WIR and full ensuite. That could include a large walk-in shower, full sized bath and twin vanity.

When mapping out ideas, it's important to always include dimensions to scale using an architect sketchbook for not just the walls and doors, but to include fixtures and furniture. Using marking tape on the floor suggested by @R4addZ is also a great way to transfer those sketches in the early planing stages. Just remember to use double lines spaced at 100mm for any walls (90mm frame + 10mm plasterboard either side). You can also use tall cardboard boxes where furniture and fixtures may be placed to get an idea of usable space.

Getting a local draftsperson involved first will establish what walls can be reconfigured, accurate dimensions on the layout requirements and permit information.

Nailbag

R4addZ

@Nailbag

Are the dimensions on the original plan not sufficient?

R4addZ

Hi @CB1992

In the interests of being pedantic, you actually need a bare minimum of 2730 to fit a king bed with two 450 side cabinets, call it 2750 for a bit of leeway and you have (assuming the smallest dimension) 3900 so 1150 to play with in the master alone. Also in the adjacent bedroom (same assumption) you have 3600 so 850 to play with and that is assuming you would want a king in there and not a queen or double. So if we assume you are happy for things to be a bit snug, you could actually get an ensuite as wide as 2000 in there and that is big enough to be a king single bedroom if you needed it let alone an ensuite. Bed sizes this is based on can be found here.

Nailbag

Hi @R4addZ have reworded as I was referencing off Eric's plan that had none. The suggested ensuite position doesn't reflect to scale the remaining dimensions of bed 2..

R4addZ

Hi @Nailbag

Actually it pretty much does reflect scale I played with the zoom on my pc till the scale pretty much matched 1cm to the metre and the master measures 4cm or 4m scaled and the second bedroom now measures about 2.7cm or 2.7m showing it lost 0.9m. I think the thing that throws the look off is the repositioning and resizing of the window which should be avoided if possible because of cost and yes provision for wall thickness is important. However some space can be recovered by making the shower a touch smaller. I downsized a few years ago and built on a 10m frontage block which is totally rectangular the family bathroom is compact but has a bath and shower and the shower is 830mm and is totally useable so there would be 70 of the 100mm needed for the wall.

CB1992

thanks all.

Can anyone recommend a decent draftsperson / builder in Melbourne ?

MitchellMc

Hi @CB1992,

You could try the Master Builders Victoria member directory or ask friends, family and neighbours for recommendations. I'd suggest getting at least three quotes and checking the practitioner's registration and experience with similar projects before proceeding.

Mitchell

Dave-1

Good Morning @CB1992

If you are on social media, in particular the big Blue F page then you could get the algorithim to do the work for you. Search within the page a few times over the week and your newsfeed will come up with bushiness that are listed, the bonus part is you get to see their work, see comments people have made against their work and know who they are.

I have several trades that I have found, in particular a plasterer that does beautiful work for when I need them.

Dave