Congratulations on your new home you said that the house is a Queenslander but where is it (what's the climate like) where's the "good" view, what do you want to block out, what's downstairs, what's the condition of the existing kitchen and bathroom, how many people living in the house and what would be your money no object dream for the house???

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry oklouise should have elaborate a bit more.

House is in inner city Brisbane

House faces East/West - rear of house faces East

Narrow long block.

2 adults 2 kids - so we want to keep 4 bedrooms (1 to use a a spare/study)

Existing kitchen and bathroom are pretty shabby but serviceable - although we would like to do a basic update off them (nothing too fancy)

Downstairs is legal hight at the back but not at the front.

money no object dream would be raise and build living areas under and bedrooms upstairs possibly.

Thanks

Is the WIR in bedroom 4 big enough to make a small ensuite, and make this the main bedroom. Could also add french door to open to deck at rear.

Hi pelagos, can you turn the kitchen into a bathroom, turn the living rm into a bedroom and then combine the long narrow living and bedroom 2 into a kitchen/living area opening up onto the deck?

Perhaps the bathroom next to bedroom 1 could become an ensuite with added toilet, but leave original toilet separate for dinner guests?

forgot to ask...which is side is "front'

Thanks for all the comments.

Just to confirm the kitchen is at the 'back' and that faces east.

thanks again!

i'm reluctant to suggest any major re-arrangements without considering future plans for downstairs so encourage you not to remove walls until you confirm placement of future stairs and another toilet somewhere else..Removing the bathroom wall means you immediately have to do a full upgrade to an already functional bathroom and taking down the wall mean only one person can use the fasciliies. Subject to accurate measurements, my suggestions include creating a new master bedroom with ensuite, wiw and future access to the extended deck, upgrade old kitchen in the same position, add a shower to the main bathroom and use the smaller living room as a TV, guest or playroom (with or without an added wall and wardrobes) Future improvements could include extending the rear deck and a downstairs guest room with ensuite, living area and laundry..

same suggestions but east feels better on the right....

I'd do what oklouise has suggested. Your budget won't go far initially so do the kitchen, family, etc side first then when more funds are available do the bedroom side. I wouldn't remove wall in toilet bathroom area. A separate toilet is always good.

Use your money for maintenance issues ASAP such as repainting, fix the roof/gutters/downpipes and stormwater, update the electrics/meter box, hot water systems, driveway, rather than the exciting stuff like knocking down walls and flash bench tops. I see so many houses that look great in pictures but are a shambles underneath with water ingress, old outdated electrics and such.

Everyone loves the Queenslander look so you're already on a winner.