Ensuite vs Main Bathroom: What Should You Prioritise in Each?

When planning a new bathroom, one of the first things we help clients work through is how to prioritise their space – especially when it’s part of a larger renovation that includes both a main family bathroom and an ensuite. While it’s tempting to apply the same layout or product choices across both, we’ve found that treating them as two different spaces with their own purpose makes for a much better end result.

Main bathrooms often need to serve a range of people and purposes – they’re shared, used at all times of the day, and typically see the most wear and tear. Ensuites, on the other hand, are usually more personal. They’re part of a bedroom suite and tend to feel like a retreat, even when space is limited.

We’ve worked on everything from compact two-bed homes to larger family properties, and these are the key differences we encourage clients to think about. If you’re planning both spaces at once – or updating one while the other stays put – this guide will help you figure out where to focus your attention, and how to make each bathroom work for the way you live.

Who Uses the Space – and When?

This is always the starting point. A main bathroom typically needs to serve multiple users – adults, children, guests – often with different schedules and needs. It’s likely to be used in the morning rush, after school, in the evening, and sometimes by visitors too. That calls for a more flexible layout, harder-wearing materials, and storage that works for more than one person.

An ensuite, on the other hand, is usually used by just one or two people. That makes it easier to tailor. You can personalise it with finishes, features or layouts that wouldn’t be practical in a shared space. In a recent project, we used warm, earthy tones from the Porcelanosa range in the ensuite, while keeping the main bathroom lighter and brighter to suit a growing family.

Prioritise Storage in the Main Bathroom

Storage is key in any bathroom, but in a main family bathroom, it’s essential. You’ll need somewhere to keep extra towels, toiletries, bath toys, cleaning products and more – ideally out of sight, to stop the space feeling cluttered.

We often recommend wall-hung vanity units from Dansani or mirrored cabinets to add extra functionality without eating into floor space. Tallboys and built-in niches are also worth considering, especially if multiple people are using the space at once.

In an ensuite, storage tends to be simpler. One or two drawers might be enough, especially if the bedroom already has decent storage. That gives you more flexibility with layout and design – and often allows for a more minimal, spa-like look.

Design the Ensuite for Comfort, the Main Bathroom for Function

In our experience, main bathrooms need to work hard – but ensuites should feel more like a treat. That doesn’t mean spending more – it means choosing features that support how you want the space to feel.

In a main bathroom, we often prioritise durability: easy-clean tiles, robust flooring (like Karndean), water-resistant cabinetry, and layouts that support multiple users. You might want a larger bath for kids or a walk-in shower for elderly relatives. These aren’t always the flashiest features, but they’re the ones you’ll appreciate daily.

Ensuites are where we often suggest upgrades like rainfall showers, underfloor heating, or ambient lighting. Even a compact ensuite can feel high-end with the right fittings – like concealed shower valves, low-profile trays from Matki, or minimal brassware from Coalbrook.

Heating and Ventilation Matter in Both

While it’s tempting to focus on tiles and taps, things like heating and ventilation will make a huge difference to how both spaces feel long-term. Main bathrooms, especially those without windows, need powerful extractor fans to manage steam and prevent mould. In ensuites, you might be able to get away with a quieter fan, but we always assess the room first.

Underfloor heating is great in any space – it works well under tiles and LVT and gives that extra sense of comfort without bulky radiators. Heated towel rails are a great option too, especially in ensuites where space may be tighter.

What About Baths?

We get this question a lot – should you include a bath in the ensuite, or just stick with a shower?

In most cases, we recommend keeping the bath in the main bathroom and focusing on a high-quality shower in the ensuite. Baths take up a lot of space, and unless you’re using one regularly in your ensuite, it’s usually better to invest in a larger, more comfortable shower area with thoughtful lighting, storage and easy-to-clean finishes.

That said, if your ensuite is larger and you love the idea of a freestanding bath under a window – we can help you plan for that too. We’ve created spaces where the ensuite is the showpiece, particularly in loft conversions or new extensions.

We have more information on this in our Bath Vs Shower guide.

Finishes That Match – or Complement?

A common question is whether both bathrooms need to match. And honestly – not always. It’s nice to have a sense of flow across the home, but that doesn’t mean everything needs to be identical. In fact, we often use similar base materials across both bathrooms – like a tile range from Ca’ Pietra – but change up the colour, layout or finishes.

For example, we might use white metro tiles in the main bathroom, and a textured neutral version in the ensuite. Matching brassware from the same brand in different finishes can also tie things together without making it too uniform.

Installation Timing and Planning

If you’re renovating both bathrooms at the same time, it’s important to think about the schedule. We usually work with clients to ensure there’s always one working bathroom available throughout the process. Depending on the size of your project, we might do the ensuite first, or alternate between rooms.

You can learn more about our approach to full-service projects on our Bathroom Design & Installation page – we take care of the whole process, from design through to final handover, and coordinate the schedule to minimise disruption.

Final Thoughts

Designing both a main bathroom and an ensuite doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you think about how each space is used – and who’s using it – the priorities become much clearer. The main bathroom is your practical workhorse, while the ensuite is your personal space to wind down.

We’ve helped clients all over Dorset design both spaces with confidence – balancing everyday function with thoughtful design. If you’re planning your own renovation, our Dorchester showroom is a great place to explore different layouts and see real materials up close. Or, head over to our Bathroom Ideas section for more inspiration and advice from our team.