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Hey all!

I'm looking at remodeling my bedroom area and want your opinions. Currently I have a 11x14 master bedroom with a 3x4 closet. My laundry is in the basement. I want to close the closet in the MB and open it in the hallway for stackable laundry. I would add a new closet in the MB that would be 8x2. The new MB size would be about 11x12.

Here is my question. Would a small MB deter you from buying this house? Or would a larger closet and upstairs W/D be worth the sacrifice of the bedroom size?

For reference, this is a 1200sq ft 3 bedroom house right next to an elementary school so my target audience would be young parents.

Thanks for your input!

Since 11 x 14 is already a small size for a master, 11 x 12 would make for a REALLY small master. Keeping re-sale in mind, I advise that you keep the laundry in the basement rather than sacrifice the square footage in the master.

Thanks for the input! Having laundry upstairs would be a huge plus for me, but I can see how others might prefer more space.

I would not make the change. If a young couple buys the house the basement laundry should not be an issue. A stackable unit is small and might not suit a family.

I am 62 and have always had basement laundry rooms. I consider it good exercise.

Thanks for the input Grapefruit!

The responses so far would be against it for just the benefit of laundry, but there is another reason I am considering the remodel. The existing closet has about 5 feet of hanging space and one 4 ft shelf. By myself, I fill it. The closet I am considering would be 8 feet long with 2 rods for most of the length providing 10-12 feet of hanging space and more shelving. Is this a worthwhile remodel? Or would people look at the smaller master and dismiss it?

Thanks again for the input.

I'm another one that would not buy a house with a master bedroom that small. There are so many ways to change storage in a closet without expanding it, and while I'm not a huge fan of washer/dryer in a basement, I like stackables less - and I'd rather have the w/d in the basement than to be stuffed in a closet upstairs. If you're going to keep this house for a long time, I would do whatever I wanted, but just be aware that they will affect the sale of the house eventually... Personally, that doesn't always affect my decisions - but you need to go in knowing that it could affect the sale-ability of the house... I would look at closet organizers..

One thing that is not known is the actual room layout with windows, doors, heating ducts and such. Even with the existing bedroom, there may not be a great option for furniture layout. If this was addressed/improved in the size change (wall with one entrance to a walk in closet) it could still possibly be a plus?

A small MBR would be a turn off for me. Remember most people have at least queen sized beds. Also I assume you aren't trying to keep a years worth of clothes in the closets. Keep only what you need for each season And pack away all else, put in totes/tubs and put in basement. Most people wouldn't consider 11 x 14 large anyway.

It wasn't all that long ago that 12x12 was considered a very large bedroom. 10x10 was more common.

Anyway, part depends upon what type of home you have (and as conrad said the layout). If you have an old home with the small rooms it would make no difference. If you have a mcmansion it would make a difference.

Hi, Sami! Welcome to the Real Estate Boards!

Good question! For myself and, I think many others, an 11x14 isn't really a master bedroom so I don't think there is a lot of difference between it as a master bedroom as it is or an 11x12 should you make a larger closet plus a stackable laundry area) as you are thinking of doing.

I like the way you are thinking - laundry on the second floor and a better closet area for the master. You say that this is a property geared toward young families in a good school area so I am thinking kids. Nothing better than an upstairs laundry for them! Even if you keep the downstairs basement laundry for the heavy-duty work!

I know, after many years of side-rooms or basement laundries, the laundry on the main living floor is ABSOLUTELY the best. In my case it is on the second floor - took me by surprise when I first saw it. After 5 years, I've realized the sense it makes. Other than a few kitchen towels that belong downstairs, everything else in on the second floor - right where it belongs! No more up/down/up/down/up/down???

I vote for your renovations - new closet, area for stackables and a smaller master bedroom. The area given up via the "master bedroom" will be favorably off-set when it comes to re-sale.

In the meantime, you will enjoy some ease and sense of purpose in making your home work for you! Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

ETA: Just re-read your post and saw that this is a 1200 sq foot house. In that case, make the most of it with the new laundry area/closet upstairs - no one expects a spacious master bedroom in that size of a house!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

Thanks all for the input!

I'm currently re-examining my plans to see how I can make the most out of this space. I wasn't expecting the overall negative reactions to the idea. I was expecting more people to be for the additional storage and for closer laundry. Laundry on the main floor means you don't have to lose sight of your kids to put the washer into the dryer!

The layout is interesting. I have a window in the center of a long wall and a short wall. The closet door is on the opposite long wall and the door is in the corner adjacent to the wall with nothing on it. I can fit a queen bed, night stand, dresser, shelves, chair, and ottoman into this room, though the chair would have to go with the addition. I'll post a sketch after I play around with it some more.

I bought the house for the massive kitchen and dining area so the house has plenty of other features to sell it. I just don't want to create any deal breakers.

For your closet, take measurements and go to Home Depot, Menard's or Lowe's and get a good closet organizing system. It doubled my closet space!! I LOVE ours. We got the best price at Menard's. Very easy to install - had it up and filled in a few hours.

I, too, would never make the master smaller. Hubby/me enjoy our 'master retreat' with king bed and tv/armoir.

If you sell the new owners will almost certainly already own a conventional washer and dryer. That upstairs closet, designed for a stackable set, will be useless for them.

Young parents means typically 3-5 people in the family. Thats a lot of laundry. Last I knew stackables were smaller and washed smaller loads. That family needs a full-size washer and dryer.

Decades ago I priced a stackable set. They were every bit as expensive as a full-size set. It thats still true its another reason for a family to not want to buy one.

Posting back and going against the flow of opinions here!

I agree with those who think that stackables aren't adequate for a family's laundry which is why I said to keep the main downstairs laundry but an upstairs laundry can be a BIG selling point!

As for the closet? I think a LOT of people would rather have some more closet space than another two feet for the bedroom!

Bottom line, an 11x14 bedroom is NOT a Master bedroom size in the first place so reducing it to 11X12 isn't that much smaller especially in a 1200 sf house!

In that size house, I think many people would prefer a stackable laundry, larger closet with an 11x12 bedroom vs. a simple 11x14 "master" bedroom. Let us know what you decide!

Stackables now come in any size, you no longer need accept small washers and dryers. Personally I love stacked, they are fine for any size family. The issue might be too small master, but that depends on your competition.