Shift from the Term Master Bedroom to Primary Bedroom | Arlington VA (2024)

The bedroom is the perfect place where you can escape the stress of the world. In every home, there are different bedrooms that serve different needs.

On average, there are three types of bedrooms, and they vary according to the arrangement and the types of furniture placed and the sizes of the bedroom. These three bedrooms are the children’s bedroom, guest bedroom, and master bedroom.

A master’s bedroom implies one thing – it is a room intended for the house owner or the master of the house. It is typically larger and is furnished better compared to other bedrooms inside the house. However, the term “master’s bedroom” is not as popular as before as it is now shifting from master bedroom to primary bedroom. The word master bedroom has been used since the 1920s when it was featured in a Sears home catalog. The word is intended for the master of the house or the owner of the house. Realtor groups are just moving away from the term master bedroom and, instead, use “primary bedroom.”

Why the shift of name?

The shift from “master” to “primary bedroom” has been made due to negative implications and perceptions involving the word “master.” Consumers and real estate professionals realize and understand the term “master” as something racist and offer a sexist implication. “Master bedroom” is a term implying a concept of dominance and ownership, which doesn’t sound to be so convincing and attractive in this modern time.

One step to remove this negative concept around the name master’s bedroom is to remove it and replace it with the term primary bedroom instead. The main bedroom or the owner’s bedroom should still be set apart from the rest of the bedroom inside. Since a master’s bedroom is not advisable to use, homeowners prefer to call it “primary bedroom.”

Changing “master bedroom” to “primary bedroom” or the main bedroom may not be the solution against sexual or racial discrimination, but it is a significant step toward change. Words have power, and changing terms can bring on that positive change, then using the primary bedroom is worth a try.

Shift from the Term Master Bedroom to Primary Bedroom | Arlington VA (2024)

FAQs

Why did they change the term master bedroom to primary bedroom? ›

Why the shift of name? The shift from “master” to “primary bedroom” has been made due to negative implications and perceptions involving the word “master.” Consumers and real estate professionals realize and understand the term “master” as something racist and offer a sexist implication.

What is the politically correct term for master bedroom? ›

"Primary Bedroom" is becoming more common. This has come up here and on other forums.

What is the new name for a master bedroom? ›

In an effort to be sensitive to the discomfort that the “master bedroom” evokes, realtors have begun to refer to the largest bedroom of the home as the “primary bedroom.” The term “primary bedroom” identifies the bedroom as the largest in the home, but it lacks the negative connotations that “master bedroom” carries.

What is the new term for master bathroom? ›

The word “master bedroom” is being phased out of floor plan descriptions and talks between real estate agents and clients in several brokerage areas across the country. Another name for master bedroom and master bathroom is “primary bedroom” and “primary bathroom”.

What is the difference between master bedroom and primary bedroom? ›

The term “master bedroom” refers to a room that's usually larger and more luxuriously decorated than other bedrooms, and they're sometimes known as the “primary bedroom”. Master/primary bedrooms have the biggest space and the best placement in a house.

What is the origin behind master bedroom? ›

The phrase "master bedroom" first appeared in the 1926 Sears catalog, according to the real estate blog Trelora. It was a feature of a $4,398 Dutch colonial home, the most expensive in the catalog, referring to a large second floor bedroom with a private bathroom.

What is a better word for master bedroom? ›

What's a Better Name for This Room? The most popular choice throughout the real estate industry to replace “master bedroom” is “primary bedroom,” which notes the room's prominence. Keskinkaya says she hears people correcting themselves as they work to break the habit of what they call the main bedroom of a home.

What is a bedroom with a bathroom called? ›

What do you call a bedroom with a bathroom? Ensuite. En suite bathroom is a private bathroom connected exclusively to the bedroom, often to the master bedroom or a guest room. In the same way, an en suite bedroom is a bedroom with adjoined private bathroom.

What is the proper name of a separated master bedroom? ›

In a property with a split bedroom floor plan, the main bedroom or suite is separated from the rest of the rooms in the house.

What is it called when a house has 2 master bedrooms? ›

What Is a Dual Owner's Suite Home? These plans feature two owner's suites complete with a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom.

What is the old timey name for bedroom? ›

/buˈdwɑ/ Boudoir is a slightly old-fashioned word for a bedroom.

What is a fancy name for bedroom? ›

nounas in main bedroom. bedchamber. bedroom. boudoir. sleeping chamber.

Why can't we say "master bedroom" anymore? ›

"Master bedroom" is a problematic term for its ties to slavery, implying a concept of dominance and ownership with which a modern-day room need not be imbued. Some claim "master" just refers to size rather than a slave owner's quarters.

What is another name for a primary bathroom? ›

A primary bathroom is also called an en suite bathroom or an attached bathroom. Typically, the primary bathroom is a full bathroom or a three-quarter bathroom.

Can you still say Jack and Jill bathroom? ›

And although these bathrooms get their name from the 18th-century English nursery rhyme (“Jack and Jill went up the hill…”), modern iterations of this shared bathroom are still called Jack-and-Jill.

What is it called when the master bedroom is away from the other bedrooms? ›

In a property with a split bedroom floor plan, the main bedroom or suite is separated from the rest of the rooms in the house.

Why are master bedrooms on the second floor? ›

One of the most popular benefits is that an upstairs master bedroom provides the most privacy. There is often very little traffic upstairs as all the main living areas will be downstairs.

Is it principal or principle bedroom? ›

Use principal in reference to a person who is in leadership or to describe the importance of something; use principle to refer to a standard, rule, or guiding belief. One popular mnemonic device to remember this difference is the isolation of “pal” from principal.

Why are master bedrooms at the front of the house? ›

A ground floor bedroom at the front of the block (and ideally near the front door) is great for street surveillance. You'll never be unsure about what's going on in your street, and you can easily keep an eye on who's coming in and out of your house.

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