The master bedroom is one of the most important spaces in your home. It’s a sanctuary, a room for resting and relaxing; and as such, it makes sense to take care when designing the space. However, decor is not the only thing to consider when planning your master bedroom. Have you considered how location can affect your current and future use of the room?

According to a recent article from the National Association of Home Builders, The New American Home (a show home currently being created for the 2012 NAHB International Buildersb Show) has sparked debate on the subject of master bedroom location. The controversy is due to the master suite’s location on the second floor. The article states that “the discussion was initiated by a participant in NAHB’s Linkedin group looking at the drawings of the home and questioning whether a master bedroom and bath on the second floor was appropriate considering the growing need for aging in place and accessibility in the nation’s housing.”

Universal design, or design that is meant to be accessible to people of all ability levels without special adaptation, has become a driving force in home design in recent years. More and more people are designing homes that will meet their needs not only now, but also as they age, as opposed to retrofitting a home with handicap accessible features later on. Proponents of this design philosophy argue that master suites on the first floor are more user friendly and adaptable. However, architect and certified national contractor Phil Kean, whose company is building the show home, weighed in, saying, “Before you dismiss the New American Home as not being accessible because the master is upstairs, notice the elevator, the oversized halls and wide door openings.”

So, what is your ideal bedroom location? Weigh in with your opinion on the bedroom debate in the comments!

image via NAHB