Homebuilders Are Abandoning 'Master Bedroom.' Do You Know Why?

The term used to describe the largest bedroom in a house may be slowing falling out of popularity in the Washington region. "Master bedroom," Washington Business Journal reports, conjures up images of slavery. Not to mention that "master" implies the occupant is male. 

"Owner's suite" or "owner's bedroom" are the preferred terms for many homebuilders in Washington, the newspaper reports. 

“The terminology has more of an upscale tone to it, particularly in some of the really large homes that truly have a large bedroom, sitting area, enormous walk-in closets, and lavish bathrooms,” Brian Block, managing broker for McLean’s RE/Max Allegiance, told WBJ. “Owner Suite conveys a sense of being distinguished, having ‘made it’ or ‘arrived’ rather than the everyday ‘Master Bedroom.’”

If you haven't heard the name yet, it could be because your real estate agent was older, Lorrain Arora, vice president and managing broker of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. in Springfield and Kingstowne, told Washington Business Journal. Younger agents are leading the shift to owner's instead of master, she said. 

Have you heard the term "owner's" instead of master? Tell us in the comments.