We live in apartment in which the second bathroom also doubles as a laundry. We had the developer put a bench over th he washer, which is in an alcove, and opted not to have a dryer. There is a good sized overhead cupboard for storing detergents, hardware, tools etc. We are also currently building a holiday home where we have opted to put the toilet and laundry together in one room rather than losing space to a separate toilet or losing convenience by having the toilet in the bathroom.

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 :)

Thanks siriuskey, similar to another suggested layout which works well in the space. Will definitely put in a mirror shaving cabinet and replace the horrible 70's spec shower screen currently there. oklouise, thanks for another great suggestion. I'm open to moving everything at this stage (subject to plumbers costs). The entire property is only around 100sqm (double storey barn conversion) so there really isn't another space for the "laundry" to go. Having said this, we did contemplate a European laundry in the kitchen, but again, we'd still have spacing issues plus additional costs that we don't have the budget for. I definitely have lots to discuss with Mr Danielle!

@kiwimills I use the lounge a lot, so really not keen on eating into that space. The laundry I really only visit to put on a load of washing or grab the mop (robot vac does the rest) so wanted to pop it into an area where it's closer to the lines and in space that is not being used. Love the ideas though. @Kate yup. I think if you have space issues a dedicated laundry room seems very wasteful for most people. And wasn't there a building regulation that says you can't put them in kitchens in Australia as well? Makes sense to put them where the rest of the plumbing is. I was actually thinking of going for full height if possible to maximise space. Do you find that sliding doors impede your access or frustrate you accessing the laundry? Obviously compromises have to be made, but just wondering whether that ends up being an issue? @oklouise Thanks a heap! The layout of the house at the moment has a hinged laundry door leading to some steep (non-railed!) steps leading to the backyard. I rarely use it for anything except to get airflow into the house, but was wondering if it would be important to keep? Obviously it's about what I need at the moment, but am also considering resale value just in case.