Thanks Haephestus for your quick comments and detail. It is really appreciated. The sewage tank is directly under the stairs and the piping from upstairs en suite run through the wall of the stair case so we are hoping this may be an easier fix. If not then we may have to avoid moving it. We aren't convinced that we would put a sink in the WIP it would depend on cost to pipe water there. we do like buying in bulk from costco etc so a WIP would be good. The kitchen is actually very small with limited space so a WIP would be great for us - given we are big cooks as well. Your comments regarding the fireplace and tv are spot on. We are still unsure how this will look. Sitting on the couch you are only 2.8m from the tv so it is a small space. Therefore we don't want to put a tv above a fireplace as itw would be too high. The couch actually faces the tv so should hopefully be ok. Your comments are spot on for the WM - there is a fair amount of space in the garage but you are right we should locate it in the middle rather than on the side as shown in the plans.

Does study need doors on it? Could leave doors off and reduce study depth, make WIP bigger.

I wouldn't flip study or WIP.

Hmmm ... okay I'm not a builder or architect or a qualified designer but I am a passionate Houzzer so would you consider...

Moving the Kitchen & WIP to where the current Bedroom and Laundry are now? (the plumbing is already there), WIP on left wall including fridge at door end for bonus outside access. Kitchen uses plumbing from laundry, Dining stays (new one seems cramped to me), new WC moves to under stairs (if still feasible), Laundry instead of proposed Study opposite stairs (laundry sink to wash hands), New second living where Kitchen was, New fireplace on back of old WC/new Laundry wall, New study where current dining is possibly opens to new 2nd Living Room (old Kitchen), existing Lounge stays put. Wall of Storage where Laundry was proposed in Garage.

I know there are experts who may shoot me down but after studying your plans tonight there was something sticking that led me to the above. If you had measurements I might also propose the study is entered from the hallway next to my proposed Laundry too or even from within it...Lucky you to renovate & I hope you get what you want & love it :)))

Hi Louise tank you for your comment. We have thought up so many version of this and what you ahve suggested is similar to what we had at one stage - particularly when we were thinking about not doing the extension at the back (as this requires planning permit and costs a lot more than using existing footprint). I couldn't work out how the WIP would work - do you have the opportunity to do a quick sketch for me? Thanks!

I try to send something tomorrow Katherine.

The room measurements would be good to see if you have them, thanks.

Existing Floorplan and measurements

Delete sink and put the washing and dryer in the WIP. Just make sure dryer is ducted or heat pump or condenser so no steam. You do not want laundry in garage. Otherwise looks great.

Accessing study from lounge would depend on how you want to use the two spaces.

Thanks, that helps a lot but I have a couple of questions please Katherine.

Have you verified whether moving plumbing is an issue? No sketch yet sorry.

With existing footprint & move Kitchen to bedroom/laundry space & with a WIP,

WIP as a deep bank of storage (minimum 1000 mm deep x 2000 mm long?) on wall behind garage, remainder of this wall for appliance centre or fridge. Oven/microwave on left wall & opposite bench for cook top & sink under windows.

With your proposed extension & still moving Kitchen to here & with a WIP,

Lots of variables to WIP and bench configurations (Pro's know better than me) the oven/microwave could run on the left hand wall & WIP as above with the fridge beside it.

OR there are now possibilities for an island bench with sink & cook top on it facing out through new doors. Fridge in corner on left and facing the island....

I have to agree with haephestus - is the butler's pantry necessary. Could you make it smaller? By moving the living room wall back, you could incorporate the study in the living room. The laundry could then be built where the study is ( plumbing already there). The WC under the stairs is a good place to have it - just hope you have good ventilation.

Hi this is a rough cut and paste - how-about flip the back. I thought it would be nice to bring the shopping in from the car straight into the kitchen. With pantry laundry at the end of the kitchen.

That laundry/WIP combo idea has merit Brad, not the largest WIP with a laundry in it too.

What do you think Katherine? What space do you need for the laundry?

These options are good to see before you commit $$$.

Flip? I would still extend the left rear for the kitchen layout to work. Dining space still okay?

How important is the study? There would be plenty of room for the study within the 2 living areas without extending. Could change the old kitchen window to doors. The Wc could probably stay too & retain the under stair storage.

Hi All - thank you again for your feedback. It is probably unclear on the floorplan that where the kitchen is currently, the wall (where the sink and oven is) is actually bordering the neighbours backyard so it is impossible to flip the design as suggested by Brad. The study is important as I work from home at least once a week if not more so i need a separate space. I am not necessarily convinced whether it needs to be from the hallway or study but it does need to be done in a way that allows me to block myself off if need be. Given we were going to put the laundry in the garage we don't need to commit too much space here. We did like the idea of having a mud room in the laundry - so a sink, laundry place to put gumboots etc. The existing kitchen has no windows and can't have any installed. It does have a skylight above it tho. Iv attached a few more photos for you to see the spaces we are working with.

I too wondered about this option Katherine, but was worried about moving the kitchen to directly in front of the hallway and also traffic flow into these spaces.

Now that jenpotts has put it out there what do you think? I was also worried that your current kitchen looks to be in great condition and how you would get the best value for your $$$ without wasting it.

Is the upstairs sitting area any good for your study?

Hi .... Couple of thoughts ....... You could leave the WC where it is currently but make it slightly larger to include washer/ dryer.

I would suggest a smaller pantry & have the study nook behind it opening to the lounge area. You could leave the study open or close off with a "barn door" when not in use.

I would use the area designated as " laundry " in your plan as a storage & mud room area.

I don't see the configuration of the rear living room as being practical. I would centre the fireplace & depending on your heat source, have the television above.

Cheers

I really like what you are doing. A WIP is a great asset to any house. Only thing I would change is the WC to the opposite wall where the staircase is rather than on the wall of the living area.

Hi .katerine. You could also move the fridge across to the right and put a wide strip window above bench into study. A blind can then close the study off when not in use. It will give you some borrowed light into study improving your amenity when working.

For resale I would design wip to include washer/dryer even if you don't put them there.

My two cents' worth . . . the original study looked very dark and poky. If possible, when reconsidering the plans, see if you can work it so natural light comes into it (even if from behind you).

I loathe the idea of a washing machine in the garage . . . to me, that just suggests you end up with laundry smelling of exhaust fumes. If you were to put the house up for sale (some day) with that type of laundry, it would be a deal-breaker for me. I think the ideas about a combined laundry/pantry/mudroom are a much better option to consider.

Some think like this might work for you...

i thought people might be keen to see our updated floor plan based on some of your great advice and some good thinking time while on holiday! we are much happier with this now. Main changes being - not moving powder room (cost saving!); having an every day smaller WIP and then a secondary storage area and the study accessible from the front living room making it larger and more enjoyable.

Thanks Katherine. It is great to see a final plan. Looks good. I hope you get many years of enjoyment.

It looks like you're doing bi-fold doors on the back. A number of discussions on Houzz around this topic reveal that sliding "stacker" doors are a better idea: bi-folds are full of problems. You may even find that the lintel needs to be strengthened to bear their considerable weight (as they must be hung). Most upmarket places now seem to have smooth-running sliding doors, I find.

You have probably finished this renovation now - but I wanted to comment on laundries in garages. I have one and find it to be awkward to use. Clothes potentially get run over by the car, and there is no space to squat down to get washing out of front loader. Hence I need to have a top loader.