Master bedrooms have grown in style and stature

Once a simple place to sleep, the master bedroom has evolved into a luxury suite where owners can get away from it all for some private time and a little pampering.

Today the master suite is plush, comfortable and full of luxury. It often comprises a good-sized bedroom, his-and-hers closets, a reading or sitting area and a spalike bath. If homeowners desire, the suite can include all the amenities of a five-star hotel.

If early morning coffee is a must, voila, a coffee bar can be installed. Or if relaxing before bed is your style, a lounge chair can be delivered. Whatever your desire, the master suite — a haven within your home — can indulge your senses.

Whatever your style, builders have more elements than ever before to create the suite of your dreams.

Here is what builders show in their model homes today.

Bowes Creek Country Club

The Masters Collection

Toll Brothers, Elgin

In the Harvard model, the master suite's standout feature is the floor plan where a nice long room is accented with round architectural columns that separate the sleeping and sitting areas.

The sitting room is a great decompression area where mom and dad can relax and unwind after a long day at work or commute, said Ann Jacobs, sales manager.

It's a separate space where owners can enjoy reading, watching the news with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night. And with this layout, one person can stay up and read or watch TV while the other is asleep.

Tucked away from secondary bedrooms, the suite offers a private retreat where soft grays, greens and blues create a sense of calm.

Double doors open to the bedroom that is spacious and inviting while a stunning coffered ceiling impresses and increases the height of the room.

The room shows a king-size bed with a cream coverlet and an eclectic mix of furniture for a romantic, elegant look while a sofa, end tables and flat-screen TV furnish the sitting area

Another wonderful aspect of the suite is that it can accommodate large, bulky furniture for homebuyers who want to downsize but don't want to give up their treasured furniture pieces. Some people like to mix their furniture with new modern pieces for a timeless look.

The bath, with its soothing ambience, will help owners wash away the stresses of the day in the Roman tub or ultra shower with two shower heads. Split vanities allow owners to share the bath but have their own space.

Mayfair

M/I Homes, Naperville

Outfitted for rest and relaxation, the luxury master suite in the Columbus model shows several design details that give the space a well-dressed look.

Cool, calming colors of icy blues and greens create a restful ambience while mirrors add sparkle and give the room a spacious feel. Draperies with a geometric design cover windows that let in natural light.

The tray ceiling treatment shows a lattice-inspired diamond pattern that adds some dimension to the space and makes the tray more interesting.

Although a generous-size master suite, the designer uses the space well by creating a small sitting area with a love seat at the end of the bed. The chandelier above, a popular decorative item now, gives the space a touch of elegance.

Luxurious pillows top both the bed and love seat while a gray and lime green area rug adds texture to the space and looks good against the dark hardwood floors.

The private bath features a tub and walk-in shower with ceramic tile surround. The vanity has dual bowls and is topped with granite while the floors are also covered in ceramic tile.

The room has a clean, classic look with lots of blues and beiges, colors that remind one of a beach.

As a secondary living space, the home's loft with refrigerator gives owners another spot to relax or catch up on work.

Courthouse Square

Airhart Construction, Wheaton

The master bedroom in the Wheaton model is “a room with a view.” The room overlooks the central courtyard with extensive lush landscaping that creates a parklike setting in the heart of downtown Wheaton.

“It has a wonderful view of the courtyard,” said Heather Mistele, director of sales for Courthouse Square. “It's really pretty.

“Another great aspect of this plan is that the whole second level is dedicated to the owner's suite — bedroom, bath and laundry. They don't share the space with anyone else.”

This is a comfortable, calming space with a 9-foot ceiling and big, tall windows on the front, which faces west.

A lot of people want functionality where they can fit most of their same furniture, which they can with this floor plan. The room shows a large bed, and there's plenty of wall space for dressers and space for a sitting area. Two walk-in closets offer plenty of room for keeping clothes and accessories organized.

The private bath features an oversized walk-in shower because many people would rather have a large shower than the tub, so Airhart put the space into a wonderful shower with bench, Mistele said. “The walk-in showers with no door are really popular now.”

The bath also features a long vanity with two gentleman height bowls and a nice thick countertop edge. The room shows the popular cool color scheme with gray walls and nice crisp decorator white trim with a walnut stain on the vanity.

Springfield Place

LLT Enterprises Inc., Bloomingdale

The latest innovation by LLT Enterprises is a unique master bath in its Monarch and Kingston designs. Construction has just begun on this community.

The oversized luxury shower will sit in the middle of the room with access from separate his-and-hers sides of the room.

The “hers” side to the right features a vanity, toilet and soaking tub while his side to the left features a vanity and toilet.

“This really gives you the sense of having your own bathroom even though it's part of the master suite,” said Terry Buno, president of LLT Enterprises Inc. “It gives the owners more privacy when grooming and dressing. And no one is in your mirror.”

The shower will features a ceramic tile surround and Kohler fixtures while the soaking tub can be upgraded to a whirlpool. Buyers can choose the color of the ceramic tile.

The spacious sleeping quarters area of the suite features 10-foot high ceilings, tall windows, two walk-in closets and ample linen closets. Designs feature a variety of layouts such, as one with a whole wall of closets.

The concept of the luxury master bath began in the 1980s when Buno's father, Donald Morris, introduced the luxury oversized bath as a standard feature in his new homes at Country Club Estates, which at that time was larger than those of other builders. The bath has evolved since then to the innovative design offered at Springfield Place.

Another new feature for the homes is a layout that allows for a level of privacy for the second bedroom. The bedroom, bath and nearby den could provide a suite-type of living for a resident of the home.