Hi Lambkin, there are many conflicting elements when it comes to making these decisions so you really have to rank your priorities. Obviously you need more storage, so storage is one priority, but when it comes to really tight storage situations like this with a potential major downfall such as greatly devaluing the re-sale by losing a bedroom it's worth getting very detailed about what you actually need sorted and how cleverly you can accommodate those needs with minimum impact. I aproach these situaltions like this; Assess requirement for deep storage- ie clothes that hang need 600mm depth unless you want to compromise further by turning the rods the opposite way. Assess requirement for shallow storage- folded gear, shoes, other stuff on shelves. These only neeed 360mm depth, externally 400mm. Breaking it down like this enables you to approach tight spaces much more effectively. Depending on the lineal hanging space you actually require, you might be able to fit a couple deep of built in robes in the existing room- possible either side of the bed. These will be purely hanging space. Then you might do a shallower cabinet or long, low drawer unit for the shoes and folded gear. If you are really tight, shoes can be stored vertically in drawers. Consider other storage opportunities throughout the home where you can store overflow items and do a seasonal swap if need be. If after fully considering the downside of converting room 3, then I would intend to do it in a way that you can still present it as a bedroom if need be, so preferrably don't change the walls. There is a good opportunity for deep overflow wardrobe hanging in the niche by the window in room 3, it looks about 800mm. If that was double hanging , you gain 1.6 lineal meteres there and have hardly lost any space in the room. Then doing a long low freestanding drawer unit or credenza for folded gear or shoes will not dominate the space with the height. Good Luck

COMPETITION CLOSED! Thank you all for voting & commenting in our Sheridan Gift Pack Competition! Please see the winner here. Congratulations to our winner & Happy Mother's Day to all our wonderful Houzz mums!

Hi Houzzers You have all been so kind with your design advice, and helped us come up with this design. I think we are nearly there, and are pretty happy with the result...we still ended up with the door into bedroom from hall....but think it will be ok.....may swing the door the other way...will put doors on bathroom and sitting(not shown) I like the 2 dressing areas we have created either side of our wardrobes, and the seperate toilet. Very happy for any other input on this design before we send it off to the builder!

I haven't read through all the posts but to me the first thing I saw was that you could continue the wall between the staircase and bedroom right through the bathroom to the outside wall, removing the bath altogether then remove the existing wall between the bathroom and ensuite. Next (presuming your plan is drawn to scale) theres room to rearrange your ensuite by putting the basin on the outside wall and moving the toilet and shower over to allow space to build a new wall allowing more room on the other side for the wiw. You could also remove the wall between the existing robe and ensuite and bathroom, giving even more rooom in both the enusite and the bathroom - or in your bedroom. Personally I prefer the ensuite as close to the robe as possible as opposed to the other end of the bedroom - solely for ease of use - finding clothes, dressing etc after showering etc. Also it would drive me nuts having to walk through my wardrobe to enter the bed room - no matter how tidy you may be, a wardrobe always ends up with shoes, shopping bags or whatever on the floor etc and if its your entry to the bedroom you can NEVER shut the door and worry about that later... Good Luck :)