Maybe your husband has a snoring problem or you prefer sleeping in cooler temperatures. Maybe your recent college graduate has moved back in or your aging parents need a close support system. Or maybe you just always seem to have a guest.

Whatever the reason, the trend is clear: there is an increase in homes built with two master suites. The National Association of Home Builders estimates by 2015, 60 percent of all custom homes will be built with two masters.

The demand is beginning to trickle into Columbus. Steve Jones, Residential Design Department manager at Romanelli & Hughes, says two-master homes currently make up about 5 percent of new builds and are growing rapidly.

“I could definitely see us hitting 20 percent within the next couple years,” Jones says.

Scott Shively, principal at Truberry Group, has witnessed a similar surge, estimating the two-master home will make up 20 to 25 percent of his company’s new-builds in the next five years.

“We realized the second master was a big movement about two years ago when we stopped building a model halfway through to put in a second suite. We’ve also seen this trend integrated into our condominiums. I’d say two-suite homes were 1 percent of sales five years ago and now they’re 10 percent and will be at least 20 percent five years from now,” Shively says.

Although Tom Brown, a project manager at Bob Webb, says his company had built “a home or two” with double masters five years ago, he never really started getting specific requests for the floor plan until recently.

“The request is not unusual anymore. We just closed a house where we changed the floor plan for this demand – we turned the powder room into a master bath and installed a closet into the den, so it was suite-like,” Brown says.

Reasons for two master suites
Sleep disorders often push people apart at night; as many as 80 percent of snoring couples sleep separately. Homebuilders have planned his-and-her suites accordingly, to avoid uncomfortable nights on the couch.

More often, however, the extra master bedroom is used for older parents or “boomerang kids,” who move back home after college or living on their own. Even nannies or caregivers have been known to move in.

It’s not news that there’s been a shift in family dynamics. Recently, the “sandwich generation” –homeowners taking care of their parents and their adult kids – have become proponents for two masters.

“We don’t live across the street from mom and dad anymore. Maybe don’t live with them, but they live far away and will visit for weeks at a time,” Jones adds. “It makes it easier for both the homeowner and their parents because they’re able to assist them but still allow that feeling of independence.”

Similar amenities
Maintaining independence is the primary motivation behind some more extravagant floor plans. Jones and Brown say a handful of homebuilders request a full-blown apartment-like space be added, complete with a master-sized bedroom and full bath, a living space, kitchenette and separate exterior entrance.

“I’ve even seen many of the second masters to be bigger than the first one,” Shively adds. “It’s one of those opportunities where you can have a choice – such as a sitting room in one or the other, or you can have a California shower in one of the master baths and a Jacuzzi tub in the other.”

Most of the time, however, the extra master bedroom has similar characteristics and square footage to the master suite.

Maintaining privacy and convenience
Most two-master homes in Columbus are placed on separate floors to provide privacy, which is the main goal besides comfort. It is also convenient to ensure one of the suites is on the first floor for older parents or homeowners wishing to age in place.

“This is a trend that provides a level of independence, and I think it’s one that will continue to grow because of the aging population. We have to take care of our parents,” Brown says.

Adding to the overall cost
As with any new build, the more square footage, the higher the price tag. An extra master suite will reflect in the final tally, but how much can vary dramatically from $2,000 to $100,000, depending on space and amenities included.

“When you’re just adding a guest suite, there will be a nominal increase in price usually just for additional square footage or the bathroom,” Jones says. “But when it’s a true double master suite, you’ll begin to see a significant rise in cost. A master suite with a bath and a closet can be 700 to 800 more square feet of space.”

Deriving its worth
Building two master suites might make more financial and relationship sense in the long run.

“People are starting to realize this is cheaper than putting their parents in an assisted living situation or a nursing home,” Jones says. “And for couples, their marriages are very good, but this maybe helps them more because they can sleep better and that’s obviously important.”

Jones, Shively and Brown all predict the trend will continue as the population continues to age, the traditional family makeup continues to change and people realize the practicality of the space.

“It just makes sense and is a smart move, whether you’re doing it because you have to or because of added luxury,” Shively says. “People different ages for different reasons will find it convenient at some point, and having this second master suite is adaptable no matter what your lifestyle.”

Alicia Kelso is editor of Luxury Living.