Total house Reno $12500

Daniel, what's your budget? Depending upon what that is there may be better value options that execute the spend to both (a) functional/spatial improvements/expansion and (b) higher property value outcome for the investment. We deal with this stuff on a daily basis and it simply comes down to budget one way or another depending upon the scope thresholds. What I will say is don't underestimate how much it costs to refit these expensive aspects within existing space by a "rearranging the sock drawer" type of approach.. More often than not we prove that this is often false economy as an isolated exercise (depending of course on budget/property value etc) and that alternatively a well considered/designed complimentary extension coupled with strategic/minimal renovation scope is a way better bang-for-buck strategy, and when it's valued in cost/m2 for the overall residence's outcome, it's actually a far LOWER cost/input for the property when projects are managed in this way. You'll achieve increased/more spacious living amenity, higher property value, for overall lower cost/m2 - that's a Win-Win-Win that you can't argue with. The thing is labour KILLS in renos these days and there is a lot of hidden labour in wet areas and for relatively small spaces......sometimes it's absolutely warranted say in inner urban areas where space is limited and you don't have the option, but you clearly have a stack of external swing room to extend out if you wanted to....which is why when strategies for these types of projects are being tossed around, we always try to make sure our clients are maximising the opportunity for whatever $$ they are injecting into the property..... you have step back a bit and "think outside the square" - that's how we deliver in what we do...... Hope that makes some sense provides some relevant food for thought! Cheers PD :)

depending on how many people live in the house and how much washing you need to do another option could be a combined vanity/laundry accessed from the bathroom hallway with a pantry broom cupboard in the kitchen ..the laundry space could have a wide counter with small drop in sink that can be used for handwashing clothes and hands with a front loading washing machine concealed behind cabinet doors and mirror doored wall cabinets for small storage and/or hanging racks above the sink and tall storage could be included in the kitchen pantry, linen or bedroom..the space would be part of the bathroom or could have narrow stacking doors or a full height roller blind to conceal any mess

Again, without dimensions, land size, location and construction data, it's hard to make helpful comments, Harman, but do you really need a dining room and family room as well as living room and rumpus? I think it might be worth considering oklouise's suggestion to convert the dining room to a laundry and pantry. Perhaps in doing so, you could rearrange the kitchen so that it has direct access to the patio (I think U-shape kitchens are somewhat dated and out of favour. I demolished mine despite it being quite new and in perfect condition, because I wanted free traffic flow from the kitchen to the outdoor living area. I hated being trapped behind the bar of the U while others were partying outside, and having to walk in circles to get from the sink or cooker to the party area.) The U shape, in your case, also means you walk in circles from the kitchen to dining room or family room. I'm not the design expert here. Oklouise, Kate and Siriuskey are among those holding that title! They made brilliant suggestions for rearranging my kitchen and I have ended up with a fabulous open-plan kitchen with servery to BBQ area on one side and direct access to the veranda on the other, plus a fantastic scullery and pantry (what used to be wasted space in a store room and hall) and a much larger and more workable laundry that is no longer a traffic thoroughfare. I really think you'd find it worthwhile to post a floor plan with dimensions; location, block size and orientation information, and some data about the construction (especially whether slab floor or timber with access under). You might be pleasantly surprised at the alternate layout suggestions some here would be able to offer. I'm sure you are aware that the kitchen is the focal point for home buyers. Nothing boosts a home's resale value more than a great kitchen - and these days most families seem to want a walk-in pantry, or at least a large dedicated pantry cupboard. So while converting the bathroom and laundry will boost value substantially, I would definitely consider what you might be able to do with the kitchen (subject to budget constraints of course) and think carefully about ensuring there is a functional laundry, conveniently located. Postscript: Check with council about development requirements. We discovered that a roof extension of less than 10 sq m is allowed in our area without approval - just signed off by a certifier. A laundry extension on the left side of the rumpus room might be easier than you think.