Natwerk Designs

Are modern home designers exhibitionists?

The wife and I have been searching new homes, and floor plans to possibly build our own home. The latest trend seems to be a huge master bathroom with the walk-in shower and the large tub, which we like. The problem is that it seems like 90% of these newer homes have no doors on the master bathrooms. If someone is buying a 3 or 4 bedroom house, it is more than likely that they would have children. Why, then, would you not want a door on your bathroom? If I don't shut the door on the bathroom, my daughter will follow me right in. So, when I am taking a shower, going to the bathroom, or getting dressed, I close and lock the door. Why would I want a bathroom where I would have no privacy at all in the shower? Who would want their kids to be able to come strolling into the bathroom in the middle of a shower or bath? I know it's no big deal to put a door on or have the house built with a door, but I just wonder why they design like this in the first place. That link didnt work. ICoE: True, but then if there is an emergency, and the wife is at the store or something, I would not be able to hear the kids knock or shout. But I have to agree, Im not crazy about buying a house like this. The thing is, almost all of the new homes or new home floorplans we browse have this feature. This is why it's frustrating and puzzling to me. Thanks Rob, but Im not just talking about models, Im talking about the majority of homes that are actually for sale in the area Im looking in, including the more expensive planned communities, as well as floor plans you can purchase to build a house. I've looked at several 2006-2008 homes that are actually on the market, not models, that have this, and its frustrating. The door isnt so hard to put in, but I also find that a majority of homes have an arched doorway there which makes it even more expensive to fix.

Public Comments

1. There are two reasons the model homes you walked through had no doors. 1. to keep them and the walls from being damaged by the people looking at the house. 2. To make everything appear larger (more spacious) It is just one of the visual tricks that realtors use. Take that same house and put all the doors up and everyones opinion will be that the house is smaller and more closed in. Also take notice of the size of the furniture it is usually smaller than normal, again to make the rooms appear larger. Usually no running water, the toilets are usually fastened shut to keep people from using them. There is a whole procedure to go through to ready a model to be shown.
2. If you closed and locked the door on the master suite the kids couldn't get into the bathroom. I have to say that I would not be moved to purchase a house with no bathroom door.