https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 21:23:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769433 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:23:58 +0000 Tanjowen 2769433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really wanted a master on the main but I'm glad we ended up with all bedrooms upstairs with little kids. I can reach them quickly, my 3 year old can come to our bedroom if needed without worrying about stairs, and the biggest one to me is my bedroom is a getaway area for me. When we have family stay over I realized fast how loud and chaotic it would be for me to even try to retreat on the main floor. </p> <p>That being said, we don't hang out in our rooms. We go upstairs to read or go to bed. Once the kid is asleep we hang out downstairs or in the backyard and no worries about noise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769429 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:11:39 +0000 ShootingStar 2769429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a fan of the master down type of plans. We're hoping to build a house in the next year or so and I don't even consider those plans. I like being on the same floor as my kids. I would still have to go up and down the stairs to get them ready in the morning, to do bath time, to do their laundry, etc. </p> <p>Right now our house has all the bedrooms and the laundry on the same level. Our bedroom is on the other side of the floor from the kids so we can talk in normal voices, watch tv or whatever and they can't hear us. But DS can come right down the hall if he needs us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769404 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:57:23 +0000 emilye519 2769404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is what our house is and I much prefer it to or previous two houses where our bedroom/living area were near the kids rooms. We always felt like we had to hide or be super quiet so as not to wake the kids since they went to bed so much earlier than us. It also takes me &lt;30 seconds to get up the stairs to them - that being said they stayed in our room until 4-6 months. We don't feel comfortable no matter the floor plan not having a monitor so not hearing them isn't an issue because we always have a monitor. Also, in my crazy safety scenarios, it's less likely someone will scale to the second story and break into one of their windows and kidnap them. FWIW, this is a super commons layout where we live and a selling point - we always see "master on main" advertised. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769402 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:56:15 +0000 Meowkers 2769402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: excellent point. I didn't even think of this.<br /> @Mrs D: I'm in Los Angeles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769392 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:24:46 +0000 Mrs D 2769392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is not uncommon where I live (Michigan) - its definitely a newer house thing. But I'd say in the plotted subs half of the models offer "First Floor Master" and its a rather big selling feature I'd say.</p> <p>We are on the same floor but it really isnt much different in terms of how long it would take me to get to the kids in the MOTN. So I dont think it would bother me or prevent me from buying a home I otherwise loved.</p> <p>As others have mentioned, if there is a spare bedroom perhaps you could have a bed there for when they are sick or when you new one is little?</p> <p>@Meowkers: I'm curious where you live that this is o unheard of? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769385 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:00:58 +0000 looch 2769385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not feel comfortable with the master on a different floor until my son could evacuate himself in a fire where let's say I couldn't get through the house and up the stairs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769384 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 12:58:40 +0000 Meowkers 2769384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: funny I've never seen this layout of the master on the first floor and all bedrooms upstairs in real life. I've seen older homes with added second floors which end up having some rooms upstairs and some rooms downstairs but never a house with the master totally separate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769370 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:58:46 +0000 Jennibenni 2769370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is what we have! It's not an issue for us, and pretty much every two story house in our area is set up this way. I've only seen houses with all bedrooms on the second floor on blogs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769313 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 09:07:39 +0000 LemonJack 2769313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be a great layout when they're older, but I wouldn't like it when they're young. It also depends upon how your kids sleep though. Our oldest wasn't sleeping through the night consistently until nearly 3, so that would have been awful for us. Our youngest is only two months, but she sleeps through the night, so it would be fine with her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769307 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 08:45:00 +0000 smocks 2769307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our bedroom is on the first floor and both kids are on the 2nd. It's not "ideal" I suppose but it's not remotely a deal breaker. If I loved the house, that would not stop me from buying it. Plus, my legs stay strong from all the stairs I climb ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769277 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:06:08 +0000 skipra 2769277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like this is a really common layout especially for Cape style houses. We definitely considered them when house hunting but planned to stay upstairs with baby in our room and then the kids sharing until they were older. But if you don't like that option, I would either put a bed in the nursery or more likely keep the baby in the master for the first few months so the crying doesn't wake up your older child.<br /> I think in the long run it is a great layout. My house growing up was like that and my parents preferred having their privacy. But I do think it was a challenge when we were young. I remember sleeping on a cot in my parent's room for a long time because I was afraid to be upstairs so far away from them (but my room was in an addition so I was not near the other upstairs bedrooms either). I definitely wouldn't rule it out but think you might need to be open to short term compromises. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769276 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:05:53 +0000 Eko 2769276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think at first it is inconvenient, but that's so short term and a house is long term. No way do I want my bedroom near the kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769271 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 19:47:03 +0000 Mae 2769271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have this layout. Right now with a 3 year old, I don't mind it at all. It's actually really nice that we never feel like we have to be quiet in our bedroom, worry about watching tv, etc. There are two things I think are annoying with kids. </p> <p>1) If you're putting the baby in its own room right away, that will suck. We kept kiddo in our room for 6 months, and sleep trained when we moved her to her own room. I was still up there maybe 2-3 times/night which was fine but doing the newborn/4mo regression shuffle every hour or two? Yikes... </p> <p>2) We can't hear LO from her room hardly at all. I mean, if she's outright YELLING we can. But a normal cry? Cannot hear at all from our bedroom. So that makes me a bit nervous with monitors. We have both a video monitor and a back up audio monitor we leave on all the time because she can't yet get out of her room by herself and I don't ever want to think she could be crying for me and I wouldn't hear it. With both monitors, I feel comfortable with it. (Also, the guest room is right next to hers so if we have a power outage I can sleep next door to be sure I'd hear her sans monitor). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769248 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:52:19 +0000 JJ2626 2769248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no idea as I'm pregnant with my first and live in a one bedroom apartment but I am following along because I'm curious! I do think a lot of houses are being built this way so people can age into them and have the master on the ground floor. We just looked at a tiny house where the only bathroom is on the ground floor and the bedrooms are on the 2nd floor (I live in the most expensive place in America so pickings are slim!) I do feel like that is a deal breaker, unfortunately! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769246 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:41:09 +0000 fancyfunction 2769246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our room is a floor above the kids rooms and it hasn't been a problem at all. To me, it's just a flight of stairs - no big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769245 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:40:04 +0000 MaryM 2769245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: I brought it up because my neighborhood is very much 50/50 with younger people (because the houses are older and not as expensive, but with good schools) and older people, because 2/3 of the houses are all one level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769244 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:30:35 +0000 Meowkers 2769244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: very interesting point. The older people in my area are in homes that have been around since the 1940-1960 and they are original owners. This house is newer and definitely not geared towards an older couple. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769243 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:18:48 +0000 MaryM 2769243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: Are there many older people in your area? A lot of times, main floor masters are considered desirable for "forever" homes because stairs can become hard as a person ages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769242 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:16:32 +0000 Meowkers 2769242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the feedback ladies. This is a very uncommon layout here so it kinda has me taking a pause in this house. I don't understand why they didn't just put all the rooms on one level because there would have been room for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769241 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:10:16 +0000 brownepiano 2769241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have master bedroom and all living areas downstairs and two tiny bedrooms upstairs. The kids are upstairs. We love it. We feel like we can actually do things after they go to bed without worrying about waking them. Baby has a monitor, big boy is able to come get us and come down and use the bathroom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769232 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:23:41 +0000 skinnycow 2769232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Where I live it’s very common for two story houses to have this layout. I have friends with houses with master downstairs and all other bedrooms upstairs and they don’t seem to have an issue with it. I prefer one story houses and when we move we’ll avoid two story houses for this reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769227 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:06:07 +0000 lilyofthewest 2769227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably be fine if I had a kid who STTN. But I have a 2+ year old who is still up 2x (or more a night). Unless there's a good place for you to also sleep upstairs, I wouldn't want to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769226 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:04:04 +0000 MrsRoo 2769226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our house has this layout, and while shopping I thought it would be a deal breaker for me, but literally every two story home we looked at has this layout, so I got over it. We started off sleeping in the guest room upstairs to be closer to the kids as we transitioned into the new house. It's been totally fine. We have baby gates on the stairs and good sleepers, so we don't have to go up and down too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769225 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:00:27 +0000 mrsbookworm 2769225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're currently on the second floor with the kids on the third and I hate it. My 4 year old is a terrible sleeper and often comes downstairs. I don't like him on the stairs when he's sleepy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769223 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 14:50:59 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2769223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not a fan of 2 story homes, but that is a very common layout where we live. Master downstairs, and all the kids are upstairs. Everyone I know with this layout just uses a monitor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769219 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 14:47:15 +0000 bushelandapeck 2769219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our current home has a weird layout but it's been fine. Our room is on the first floor on one side of the house, DS is upstairs, and DD and our 4th bedroom are on the first floor but other side of the house from us. The scenario you're describing wouldn't be an issue for me. I actually prefer a little separation from the kids because I'm a light sleeper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769188 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:42:09 +0000 KayKay 2769188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We rented a house for a year that had master on the 3rd floor and kids' bedrooms on the 1st. It wasn't my ideal, but really not that bad either....and that was while we potty-trained DD1 and DD2 was born-8m old (moved to her crib at 7ish weeks). </p> <p>We then moved to a house where master was upstairs and kids' rooms were on the main floor. I actually disliked that more because I felt like you had a lot of the headaches of separate floors, but none of the advantages (main floor was noisy once kids were in bed, etc).</p> <p>It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769186 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:38:07 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2769186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't mind. For us we have our 4th bedroom downstairs but it's a guest so one day one of our kids will be down there by themselves if we keep everything as is and I'm not loving the thought of that! But as others have said I'd maybe sleep upstairs or have baby in the living room or whatever works temporarily for a few months, and then move baby. </p> <p>The only thing that makes me hesitant is the thought of a fire. But it's so unlikely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769185 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:34:44 +0000 Adira 2769185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is our house's layout! Master downstairs and kids' bedrooms are upstairs. It hasn't been an issue for us AT ALL.</p> <p>When they were babies, we kept them in our room for 3-6 months, until they were sleeping through the night (7+ hours). Then they moved upstairs.</p> <p>If someone is sick and waking up a lot, I'll sleep on the futon in the office, which is also upstairs, but that's been really rare for us. I have video monitors in both kids' rooms, so we can hear them and check on them if we need to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feedback-on-this-housebedroom-layout#post-2769183 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:32:34 +0000 catlady 2769183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have been living with a similar situation (kids are on the 2nd floor, we are on the 3rd floor) and it's really not so bad. I probably wouldn't buy a house where the kids were separate and on the ground floor, but in our case and the case you describe, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. That said, we kept our babies in our room for the first few months (until around 4-5 months), plus we live in an insane RE market with extremely expensive, old, weird houses. So bedrooms on a different floor are pretty low down on our list of deal breakers.</p> <p>We have a video monitor in each room and I've gotten pretty good at navigating stairs in the dark. It's been almost 4 years and I haven't fallen yet. ;) </p>