Not really a bathroom is it? More a laundry-shower room. I'd move the towel rails so that they hang above the side of the washing machine, and replace the shower with a shower above a small bath unit (I have to have a bath). Or a different shower unit - perhaps a double shower - that is against the side wall more, and doesn't need to come so far forward towards the door? (I still think some kind of tub below the shower would be handy - I'm guessing you don't have a wash trough since there isn't one visible, and even a half-bath option below the shower gives somewhere to soak/wash large items rather than the basin?) E.g. I handwash some dresses rather than dryclean them. Another position for the towel rails would be between a skinnier shower and the door - basically, I think the towel rails are taking up a lot of wall space that could be better used. Move them and you've got some space to play with. (Even think of a couple of hooks on the back of the door.) I think the other thing is to look at the shower design to see if you don't have to have screens all around - that's also what makes the room feel so small. Now, there are some models of toilet that incorporate a basin above the cistern (so that the water flows from the basin and is reused in the toilet). If you put in one of those, you could get rid of the basin and pipes on the side wall - and perhaps go for a slimline cupboard right down to floor level to hold all your bathroom and washing supplies? I'm not a fan of that toilet design - but again, it deals with one of your problems. There is a really clever bathroom cupboard idea (full length mirror backing, cupboard swings open with shelves on the back of the door) at https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/22221609/timeless-design-contemporary-bathroom-south-east - something like that might work in your space (if hinged on side closest to main door) if you got rid of the basin from that wall. Ohh . . . just noticed that the same article that the clever bathroom cupboard comes from has a towel rail with many rungs (like a ladder) - if you could fit one of those between your (new) shower and the door, you could possibly even hang small (or larger) items of washing to dry. https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/16468014/penthouse-refurbishment-in-londons-financial-district-contemporary-bathroom-london No idea how much all of this would cost - but I think any time you need pipes moved it starts costing big dollars, so I'm not sure you $2500 would get you far. With luck, some plumbing/bathroom people could help out with some ballpark costs.

I have a table that I was given to sand and re-stain (as it was thought was beyond repair). I used Restore-a-Finish on it and it came up amazing. It looks almost as good as new. It's just a shame that the previous owner had already started to sand it. http://www.howardproducts.com/prod-restor-a-finish.php Here are the before and after photos. In the second photo, you can clearly see that I haven't treated the extension yet. This may work on your table too. The Restore-a-Finish comes in 9 different colours and is much easier than sanding and re-staining.

Hi Luke have you had any sprouting since? if you're looking at alternative storage options, storing them in newspaper or brown paper bags would allow them to breathe well, and absorb excess moisture. also, I've heard that storing an apple in the same container prevents budding. no idea if that's an old-wive's tale, I've never tired it

I’d start by position couch with its back to hallway and solid wall. Then see how the floor space works for you. Long lounge rooms are hard. But this should give more flexibility for a larger crowd using some flexible furniture. Maybe piano and bar/buffet along the new side wall with just a highline window