How about making both bathrooms the same size by reducing the bedroom 5 a bit. Still be a reasonable size too. One bathroom has toilet, vanity and bath, the other bathroom has toilet, vanity and a shower across the room width. Showers over baths are a compromise and should be avoided wherever possible as only a last resort. Kids use toilets continuously so to have an extra is a good idea. Especially with girls......

Agree with jbantick re making bed 5 smaller and layout of bathrooms. I also noticed that the kids are downstairs and parents are upstairs which then means the garage is downstairs and living area upstairs. Is there a reason for this? This is a really strange, I've never seen it before. I'd be flipping the whole set up in half and having all the bedrooms upstairs and all the living etc downstairs unless there is some particular reason why this is around the other way? Also note that where the future pool is going you will not be able to see from the kitchen so when children are swimming you will always need to be on the deck or outside with them. Ground floor living area would also make this safer in general because if you need to rush out to pool you don't have to go downstairs.

Forgot to mention taking groceries upstairs from ground floor will drive you nuts pretty quickly.

Given there are so many of you... why don't you back the main bathroom onto the laundry and include a laundry shoot to making cleaning up quick and easy. And I'd definitely get a bigger laundry! The most important work zones in the house often get the least attention.

Have seperate toilets with a powder room style so those in need dont have to wait for someone in the shower or bath. As young kids often have different bedtimes and schedules to teenagers why go to all the expense of having 2 bathrooms, when one larger bathroom will do for all. Patience is a virtue and time management essential that kids need to learn. Your teenagers will leave the nest soon so consider how much you customise vs. Overall design and future marketability.

What are multipurpose rooms? Every room needs a known purpose from the start. Otherwise its just wasted open space thats hard to furnish being that its a through zone.

Hi jbantick and Joanna,

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate your time.

Yes it's an unusual layout, however we have lovely city views from upstairs to the rear... I was initially staunchly against having the living up for ALL the reasons you list, especially the groceries, however my husband wasn't giving in. We are located in East Brisbane a couple of km's from CBD and most houses in the area have 'sacrificed' the traditional layout in favour of making the most of the location, breezes and views. We are almost at the top of a rise, with only a park next door, however, the house to our north and rear are both double story, so we need the elevation as 3 sides of the rear yard are over looked. We need to see over our neighbour to the rear (west) of house, we are naturally higher this is also the reason for the ’split level’ nature of the design.

With respect to the kids level, I agree with trimming bed 5 in favour of a little more room in the baths. Our thoughts were that in a 5 bed house a bath would be usual (we aren’t having one in the ensuite) and with a 2 year old still, it will be handy. On this kids level there is still a stand alone shower for the older kids… I have hand drawn (sorry) my thoughts, do you think this would work?

You need to hire a pro, it's as simple as that. Bathrooms are hard to fix once done so you really should have an Interior Designer come to your home to see the spaces. Remember, as you said you get one chance, so get a pro and do it right.

Hi Likethat,

Wow I really appreciate your thoughts on combining the bathroom spaces and moving the bath beside the laundry, especially incorporating a laundry shoot.

Thank you; such an obvious solution right before my eyes...

The multipurpose rooms, yes we need to be more specific. The downstairs room is really a kids rumpus room, the upstairs is initially little kids play/TV room and later (hopefully) just TV room. We won't be having a TV in the sitting room off the kitchen.

Hi Jayk,

I agree, that being said I'd like to have a good idea of what I want and some other opinions, before I hire another contractor. We've been on and off this carousel a few times and each time we hope off we seem to be heading a different direction or budget to what we want... ? Thanks for your time!! :-)

Hi Emma,

Budgets are always fun, it's always gonna be a seesaw of what you want to spend and what you need to spend. If you manage to get the 2 in the same ballpark I applaud you.

All I can suggest then is try to keep the whole room feeling open, and don't let it feel like the room has been arranged around that toilet. The toilet should tuck neatly away. I'll try to come back later with some ideas for you.

Good Luck.

Thanks Jayk!

Hi Emma, I have taken some of bed 2s space to make a nook recess the loo. this gives that room the openness to fit a bath/shower and vanity in there as well. the other space can then be a shower and vanity + room for a linen cupboard without altering bed 5.

HI Jayk, I really like the idea of pinching a little from bed2 and 'hiding' the loo. Not sure about 5 toilets, that seems like a 'lot' of cleaning, however the placement of the extra toilet is clever. It will be useful if we can't put it under the stairs off the laundry like I plan. Again thanks so much for your assistance. This is my first experience with Houzz and it's been really positive! Thanks Emma

Hi Bargainhunter... Great to hear from you! I have found floor plans tend to be colloquial to their location, when in fact more importantly they should be guided by nature and attributes of the particular block of land. Cheers

Well said Undercover Architect. A lot of other people asking for advice on HOUZZ need to read your post as well. It takes a professional or two to see the 'big picture' on a project.

Have to agree with Undercover Architect. I have 3 young children who want to be outside a lot of the time, you can't always be out with them, but you want to be able to see what they're up to.

I'd be rethinking living areas and making upstairs a bit of a retreat for the adults :o)

Good luck, we're designing our 'forever home' and it is so hard!!

Thank you @jbantick and @jodes for your comments. It is often hard to provide honest advice as I know full well how much time and effort goes into making decisions about the design of your home - and you're usually very emotionally invested, so that honesty can be hard to hear from an outsider.

@bigreader - I agree that providing external access to a toilet from the pool without having to take wet feet across too much internal space is a good thing too.

Regards

Amelia, UA x

www.undercoverarchitect.com

Hi all!

Thanks to you wonderful Houzz'ers!

I thank all of you for your input, thoughts and time, it is truely appreciated.

@Jodes, A 'forever' home is tricky; I have found it means making some compromises... unfortunate isn't it??? Budgets can be a bugger !

@Undercover Architect, thank you for your comments, yes as 'owners' we become invested in these decisions made after lots of consideration and thought taking into consideration the aspect and fall of the block, the natural landscaping features and neighbouring open spaces.

I have lots of food for thought here to ensure that we plan our amazing 'forever' home!!

All the best Emma

I used to rent a house that had the bathroom divided into three rooms. You went into a large area that had the vanity and mirror, then there was one door keading to the toilet and another door leading to the shower and bath. Bath was on one side under the windows and long shower on the other side. It ws great as a shared house.

i've attached my suggestion, including various options for placement of vanities, baths etc...a similar layout worked very well for my kids from toddlers to adults. Vanities would have drop in basins and storage underneath for linen, toilet paper etc and built in wall mirrored medicine cabinets for storage of cosmetics, shampoo etc. With exact dimensions off your bathrooms i could be more specific and there may be space for more storage.... NB check the headroom of your spare toilet next to the laundry..will you be able to stand up with the present layout??