‘A bed in a bathroom’: Viewers baffled over peculiar main bedroom design

A stone’s throw away from the coast, this beautiful NSW home is a beach-lover’s dream – but it does include one peculiar feature.

Boasting spectacular ocean views and a newly renovated interior, there’s a lot to admire about this three-bedroom house up for sale in the NSW south coast town of Manyana.

Situated on a 556 m2 block, the two-storey home on street The Wheelhouse is modernly designed with open-space living and ample storage.

The living area, dining area, kitchen, lounge and bedrooms are all located on the second floor, above two lockup garages, a second bathroom and laundry found on the ground level.

It’s been coined the “ideal family home or holiday retreat” that promotes a laid back lifestyle in the ultimate location.

14 The Wheelhouse Manyana, NSW, 2539. Picture: realestate.com.au

But one design feature in the house’s main bedroom has left viewers of the property listing confused, even initially baffling the home’s realtor.

At first glance, the room appears modern but chic, containing a walk-in-robe and ensuite as most main bedrooms would.

However it’s the layout of these features causing viewers to do a double-take.

Right near the sleeping area, the flooring material changes from carpet to tiles, with a sink, bathtub, and shower also in the same room.

There’s also a toilet that directly opposes the foot of a neatly-made bed.

With no walls or doors dividing the ensuite from the sleeping area, many have questioned how the room functions.

Writer and editor Amber Robinson was first to point out the unusual design, sharing a photo of the room on Twitter.

“When did we start incorporating toilets into bedrooms,” she captioned her post.

She later stated: “There are already three other toilets in the house. No reason whatsoever to need one in the master bedroom too.”

The main bedroom of the house is causing confusion among viewers due to its layout. Picture: realestate.com.au

Most of those commenting on the post agreed, with some questioning the practicality behind the unusual design.

“So gross! Toilet aerosols where you sleep, plus sharing EVERYTHING with your significant other. And waking them to flush. Ugh,” one follower commented.

“Floor plan says ensuite. No. That’s a bed in a bathroom. Yuck,” a Sydney mum added.

A third person said: “I hate a toilet in a bathroom. I’ll never have one. No privacy. A toilet needs its own room. When did we start putting beds in bathrooms?”

But not all were quick to judge the layout with some suggesting the homeowners designed it this way for convenience or health reasons.

“It’s handy when having a disability but I don’t see any side rails on the bed or bath,” one comment read.

“(Maybe) the owners of that house had a medical condition that required the absolute shortest path to a toilet?” another person suggested.

The home's floorplan appears to show a wall between the ensuite and bedroom, but this is not the case. Picture: realestate.com.au

The property’s real estate agent, Brendan Shipp from McGrath, told news.com.au he was a bit confused when he saw the layout noting he had only seen one other house with something similar.

“It’s not normal but it’s (also) not a negative thing, it’s a point of difference,” he said.

Mr Shipp explained the design was not a trend but rather a decision by the homeowners to open up the space.

“The vendors wanted to open up the master bedroom and make it more free-flowing to get extra light,” he said.

“(For) the married couple that were there, there were no issues. They were married and knew each other’s secrets anyway.”

Since the listing went live on Tuesday night, six parties have inquired about the property suggesting that despite the unusual feature, there is still a lot of interest in the newly renovated property.

The home was last sold in February 2017 for $465,000, with nearby property results suggesting it could sell for almost triple that figure when it goes to auction on April 12.

Originally published as ‘A bed in a bathroom’: Viewers baffled over peculiar main bedroom design