Hi Amanda, Storage is a huge issue in every house and my personal take is that for the amount of time spent in a laundry we dedicate to much real estate to it - I'd rather have a bigger kitchen space. I also think that school bags go to the bedroom the second kids get home - a hall table for keys is brilliant but you dont want to end up with a heap of clutter as you walk in the door. I'd do the 1.5m extension, I'd leave the laundry where it is but put it behind cupboard doors in the kitchen area (removing the wall between the laundry and kitchen and part of the wall between your current pantry and laundry on the plan) - this way you gain floor space (how frequently do you do laundry while you've got visitors?), this then allows you to keep your panty size but put it behind bifold doors. I'd also and have the ensure that I had a stacked washer/dryer set up so that I had more space for a broom closet. Regarding the covered deck - it'll depend upon which way it's facing - if the western sun will hit the back - then you'll be very glad of the covering and possibly want more. If you're concerned then look for coverings that will suit the area - ie louvered outdoor roof area might be a way to go. Good luck!

I will start with an admission - I have read nothing of the comments. However I have helped a friend design a compact laundry. Here was how we did it. 1. Start with a list of everything - and I mean everything, include pegs, those little lint ball things for the washing machine, buckets, mops, vacuum, airers etc - that you want to store in the space. 2. Break that list into where you want to store it - drawers, wall, or cupboard - and then rewrite the list as cupboard, drawers, wall etc.As you are doing this, see if you can store those items elsewhere - we added a ceiling airer in the bathroom using pulleys. Also mark any item that a special storage gadget might help. We added to the back of one door (I think they were custom made 925mm and 2300mm high) a hanger for the vacuum hose, and in the cupboard a hanger that slides out for the brooms and mop. 3. Go measure the space you have, and be exact - if the measurement is 1457mm it is 1457mm. Also, see where you might "borrow" space from. We managed to add another 650mm deep, 750mm wide cupboard by swapping the two bedrooms around, and using space in the guest bedroom wardrobe. 4. Draw up a plan, and be really specific. If you think you need four drawers and a top mounted sink then plan that way. Whilst you are planning think over whether you want top spec and not hide it, or to hide it behind really nice doors. We used reasonable quality from Bunnings and modified because it was behind doors. Also, don't be afraid to "borrow" something from a different zone. In my laundry I used a round kitchen sink, because I didn't want a really deep laundry tub so I could use the room underneath. 5. Go and find a really good quality cupboard manufacturer or builder and ask them to look over your plan and ideas. They may tweak to assist, but remember you know your space and what you will be using it for better than anyone. In my friends case, she had a brother who assisted and made a super looking set of doors. As to resale value, that depends on who you want to buy it, but I have one piece of advice - don't go for the resale value, do it because that is what you want. In my friends case she turned her laundry into the bathroom, and then turned the oversized bathroom into a very natty study. Good Luck.

Thanks Kiwimills - Good suggestion but we are using the space in the garage to line with shelving and a freestanding freezer. Thanks again Oklouise - I will have to check on the actual type of dryer I have. Maybe I have the terminology wrong. Maybe I meant heat pump or...it’s been a while since I researched and bought it but it’s stacked over the washer. Doubt that’d be working if it was a condenser. That was a great tip about the toilet - can’t believe I hadn’t thought about that before!! We’re signing off on these plans on Monday so I’d better check if there’s time for a last minute change. Will affect slab and velux so will see but glad you mentioned it! And thank you Kate for your comment too. We had a regular door initially but at 1000mm width, the room wouldn’t allow room to lay down an ironing board easily with a door swung open. Removing the door swing will assist with that somewhat. And I’m used to entering my laundry door currently via a 720mm slider so it won’t bother me. Thanks again everyone! So helpful!

Hi Austere. Thanks for your comments. I guess it depends on your scope really. This renovation combines three rooms into one, so a fair bit of reframing, and moving plumbing around to achieve the clients desired layout. The laundry is behind sliders, behind from where the pictures are taken from, so this is a very large room. $15k is achievable, but you would need to be working on a more regular sized bathroom, stick closer to the original layout to save on plumbing & electrical, probably scale back a bit on tiling and fittings, and go to a standard sized cabinet shower rather than a large customized walk-in shower with glass to the ceiling. There are certainly more modest options available to meet budget. Please let me know if we can be of any assistance 🙂