WTF, Mansion People!

[MicaelS]

10. It makes sense if you think about it.

Most of these houses have what are referred to as "ensuite" bathrooms. In other words, each and every bedroom has its own unique bathroom, and the only entrance to and from that bathroom in inside the particular bedroom. These bathrooms are designed NOT to be public. They are not available to anyone walking in from the rest of the house. Americans want privacy using the bathroom, especially when using the toilet, and they don't want others, even family members walking in on them when using the bathroom. They don't want others coming into their extremely private space where they do their most intimate business of bathing and elimination thus possibly witnessing the mess, stains, and smells. One of my friends told me that he and his wife never walk in on one another when use the toilet.

So people today want space for themselves, and space for others. The half baths are just that -"space for others". Often they are close to the kitchen, dining or general family rooms. It is very costly to add a bath later. Better just to build more than you might need. Better to have and not need, than need and not have.

My apartment has two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. One of the bedrooms / bathrooms is ensuite as I described above.