The primary suite is the only part of a house that belongs entirely to its owners. It should be the calmest, most comfortable and most personal set of rooms they possess.
In a great house the primary suite is not simply a large bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. It is a sequence of rooms, each with a purpose: a quiet entrance, a bedroom for sleep, a sitting area for reading and conversation, dressing rooms, and a bath designed for both morning efficiency and evening rest.
Plan by dimension, not by impression
Every successful suite I have designed began with precise measurement: the bed and its clearances, the paths to the bathroom and dressing rooms, the swing of every door, the depth of every wardrobe. Proportion and comfort come from those dimensions. A beautiful rendering that does not respect them will disappoint in real life.
The bedroom is for sleep
The bed should face the best view or the most restful wall, never a door directly, with space to walk around it comfortably. The room should become truly dark, quiet and cool at night, with blackout curtains, good acoustic doors and windows, and thoughtful temperature control. Bedside controls should let the owners turn off every light without getting up.
A sitting area that is used
A sitting area within the suite gives the couple a place apart from the rest of the household: for morning coffee, an evening book or a private conversation. It works best near a window, slightly separated from the bed, with its own lighting and, where possible, a fire.
Dressing rooms as rooms
The finest dressing rooms are furnished like rooms rather than fitted like cupboards: joinery designed around the actual wardrobe, an island for accessories, good natural and artificial light for choosing clothes, a full-length mirror, and somewhere to sit. Separate dressing rooms for each partner remain one of the great luxuries of a well-planned house.
The bath: morning and evening
- Twin basins with ample space, storage and flattering light.
- A generous walk-in shower with level access.
- A freestanding or built-in bath placed for a view or for privacy.
- A separate, well-ventilated water closet.
- Warm floors, heated towel rails and low night lighting.
One design language
The suite should feel like one composition, with materials, colours and light flowing from bedroom to dressing room to bath. Soft textures, natural materials and a restrained palette make it a sanctuary rather than a showroom.
To discuss a commission in confidence, contact kenneth@bhli.us or call +1 (310) 467-5635.
Frequently Asked
What should a luxury primary suite include?
Typically a quiet entrance, a bedroom designed for sleep, a sitting area, dressing rooms planned around the owners' wardrobes, and a bathroom with twin basins, a walk-in shower, a bath and a separate water closet.
Where should the bed face in a primary bedroom?
Towards the best view or the most restful wall, with space to walk around it, and ideally not directly facing the entrance door.
How big should a luxury dressing room be?
Large enough to be furnished as a room rather than a cupboard, with joinery designed around the actual wardrobe, an accessories island where space allows, good light, a full-length mirror and somewhere to sit.
Does BHLI design primary suites?
Yes. Beverly Hills Luxury Interiors designs primary suites, dressing rooms and bathrooms for private residences, beginning with precise dimension-led planning.