I know, cloud, it's over an hour!

Thanks for your comments :) Yeah sorry I probably wasn't clear enough, we will definitely have two toilets, but just didn't know whether we needed a second full bathroom with shower/bath. We were thinking of having the second toilet in the laundry.

I would have a small ensuite to the master. When building, you have a chance to future proof. I didn't want an ensuite but the house had one. It's amazing how handy it has been. For guests especially.

Believe me- build it now it will cost more to do it in the future.

Two is now the standard for new builds.

When we built our house, we asked for 2 living rooms, 3 bedrooms, and put in an ensuite, despite just being a young engaged couple on our own. We didn't even use the two spare rooms or the ensuite for ages... then I fell pregnant. The ensuite was so useful, I threw up in it all the time. One of the spare rooms became a nursery. We've grown into the house. Now that we're looking at selling, having the 2nd bathroom and 3 nice sized bedrooms (instead of 4 small bedrooms) feel like wise investment choices.

So I would say yes, do an ensuite, but don't feel you have to put in a study just to hit 4br/2ba standard.

I think most people would appreciate a full second bathroom. If you only have a second toilet / powder room, then maximise your single bathroom by making it a three-way bathroom (i.e. separate the bath / shower, the toilet and the vanity) and include double sinks in the vanity area.

Hi there,

Firstly good on you for building a house for yourself! This is a pretty common dilemma I come across with clients - they get stuck between what they need and what they think the market wants (I call it 'real estate agent thinking')

My advice is always to focus on having the best house you can afford, not the biggest. Spend your money on quality and focus on what you and your family need rather than what others are telling you.

Kitchens and Bathrooms are generally the most expensive rooms to build, whereas bedrooms and living areas are much cheaper (largely due to the amount of different trades required in these areas). Try and lay the house out so that you can always add to it later if your circumstances change, that way you are also future-proofing your design for any future occupants.

Have you got any plans drawn yet that you could share?

I really appreciate everyone's comments, it's so wonderful to have other people take the time out to help us! After a bit of consideration, I do think it is more sensible to "future-proof" and have a second bathroom (just with a shower no bath). I wouldn't want people to not even look at our house if were to sell one day. I want to combine our laundry and second bathroom - we are tight on space, but I do want some space to hang clothes on an indoor line, because living in Tassie we can't dry clothes outside half the year and currently we use our living room as a laundromat, which I really hate. Was thinking about closing off the laundry area with a bi-fold door or curtain...or just leaving it open, don't know yet. The sink would be a combined handwashing/laundry sink. Have shared our current house plan (without this addition) on another thread. What do you think? Thanks again everyone!

Build what you can afford and what makes you happy. Given you are building in Tasmania- I'd be spending my $$$ on really good insulation, heating system (hydronic perhaps) and good windows. It will be those things that impact your comfort now- not empty rooms that you are stuck with cleaning and never using, and the fact you'll be stretching yourselves to build the 'never used rooms' means you'll probably cut corners on the things I mention above that really count now.

To future-proof- ask your builder to run plumbing and power to future-bathroom site and leave it in the walls/floor for if/when you need it. Even if you sell before you can tell potential buyers it is there.

So torn!! It's such a big thing building a house, I just don't want to get it wrong. I do like your idea though Mel N :)

I'd love to see the rest of your floor plan if you can share it, L O.

Also SketchUp is a great free program, it's worth learning how to use. You could do up your plans to scale on it if you're into that kind of thing.

Give it time, and play around with the plan. Think about how you live and entertain.

It will slowly become clear to you what you need, you won't really care for well-intentioned family/friend advice.

Building is a big thing! But it's also lots of fun. Why would we all do it if it wasn't !?!?...oh, maybe we are just crazy! Seriously, it is an opportunity to build exactly what you want, to how you live...and that is awesome!

Thanks so much Miranda - I've put up our floor plan on another post "Advice on new build floorplan" Would love your comments!

You could always provide for an ensuite by having the piping and drains installed, and left in the walls. I did this with a kitchenette, and only cost me about $1000 to have it roughed in. Completing the project as you have more funds or as your family grows.

Hi,

If you are intending staying more than 5 years I agree you should make some provision for an ensuite or second bathroom. I wouldn't worry about a study but make one of the bedrooms big enough to accommodate a desk and sofa bed. Alternately you could create a study nook in the living area. Some homes waste a lot of square feet with big entrances and passage ways which depending on your design are not always necessary. All the best with your adventure!

2 bathrooms..you might not need it now but if you're building a 3-4 bedrooms it's a given that there's 2 bathrooms

you don't have to clean it if you don't use it

I have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms at our beach house I only use one the other 2 are there for when guests or my kids come down.

The alternative is to have one bathroom but 2 separate toilets

Thank you for your comments! We have decided to have a small second bathroom and a European style cupboard laundry with space for hanging clothes in there.