Hi. Off-topic question: how will you access your new entertainment room from house? Sorry, I can't tell from sketch. Regarding concealed laundry closet, I would have a good exhaust fan in the closet to extract any moisture, and I would only use a condenser dryer. If you are buying new laundry appliances, it might be worth it to check out and compare decibel noise levels of various models. There will be noise, but if you can limit their use to times when family members aren't in their rooms either studying or sleeping, then it's probably fine if this arrangement suits your household needs. Also, it might be worth considering louvred doors to the laundry closet, to assist with ventilation, keeping in mind that louvred doors also allow noise to escape. In my experience, stacked front loader with dryer on top works well, but be sure to place a thick rubber mat between them. This helps to buffer noise and keeps the vibration to a minimum (esp during high speed spin cycle). Another consideration is what flooring you will have in the hallway, so no damage can occur between surfaces in case of leakage (it does happen). If both areas will be tiled, it would be good idea to also sit the bottom appliance (if stacked) on a thick rubber mat to work as a noise buffer. You could also have the concealed closet lined with an extra layer of plasterboard or a special type of sound-proofing material. (We have this on the exterior wall of one of our bedrooms because the heating/AC fans are located on the other side of the wall and we didn't want anyone's sleep to be disturbed.) I don't have a concealed laundry, but these are the issues I would be thinking about. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Definitely get stackable washer and dryer. Look at Condensor-"Heat Pump" dryers. Not only do they condense the water/moisture into a reservoir (some can be plumbed), they also don't vent any heat either (as they recycle the heat within the unit). They cost more, but worth it for the energy efficiency too, the latest Bosch is 7-star. SO....no moisture, no heat = you need not worry about venting!

These kind of laundry appliances are designed and built in Europe, where they are often installed into kitchen cabinetry.

I don't think it's an issue to have it internal IF you get a condensor dryer - don't even consider anything else.

the concealed laundry problems of noise, moisture and backyard access could be reduced by having the laundry and pantry together but another concern should be access from the front door (with a load of groceries) to the kitchen and kitchen to the backyard and i've attached some basic suggestions for improved access..

Thanks so much - if we do stick with internal laundry it sounds like there are definitely options as far as noise/moisture go, so feel better about that.

oklouise, that is fantastic! thanks for the idea. you don't think it would be too clunky walking out a door into that kitchen servery/stools?

annb - i'm not sure why the garage wall is still there in the sketch (hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out!). that will be removed - entertainment room accessed either from the entry or through the kitchen.

girlguides - I also hadn't realised there was no door in this pic - ensuite will definitely have a door!

hi Charlie, depends on where the new walls are built: i was making sure there would be room for a flyscreen door to open but there's room to modify if you like this basic idea:...i just need accurate measurements of the inside walls of the existing kitchen and laundry ...the new walls are flexible

Charlie, just so I understand better, you will be able to access the entertainment room directly via the carport door and via your entry door, correct? You mentioned access to the entertainment room would be either through the entry OR through the kitchen. It seems like a long walk from entertainment room to bathroom (esp for guests), but maybe it only seems so from drawing. Also, it seems you will potentially experience traffic flow problems if people have to walk through your galley-style kitchen from entertainment room to get to the bathroom, other rooms, etc. I think it would become quite annoying over time because you might potentially have to keep reminding people to 'go around,' especially if you are cooking and dealing with hot pots and platters of food. For this reason especially, I tend to agree with oklouise's proposed revision. The pass-thru servery window is a great idea, and is this to be used when you are entertaining outdoors? What is on the exterior side of the servery, a deck or patio?

oklouise - this is the best i've got as far as measurements go - does this help? really appreciate your time!

Of course, I certainly understand the convenience for family to have direct access from entertainment room to kitchen, but if you are entertaining a larger number of people in that room, would you mind people cutting through the kitchen (while you are working in it) to get to the bathroom?

You could have a pocket door there. ???

annb - we hadn't yet decided whether carport would have doors or large windows into entertainment room. I guess it is a bit of a walk to the bathroom, but def don't need a 3rd bathroom so will just have to warn guests to make sure they leave adequate time to get there (!)
Moving through the house/kitchen will not be an issue for us (me and 2 growing children - currently 14 and 11), but obviously don't want to do a major renovation and have it impractical for future owners, so thanks again for raising all these things to consider.
Yes the servery for when entertaining outdoors, but also just for every day use. The kids and dog currently use the yard and garage a lot, and it is a very practical option for me to be able to pass food/talk out the windows than call them back inside ;)

Yup, I understand. Looks like you and your family will enjoy the additional benefits of renovation. All the best!

The aim is to really open up the kitchen and living area.

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hi Charlie, 1. is there a door and window in the existing laundry. 2. which side is the external laundry door...kitchen or bathroom side? 3. what are essential in your best kitchen eg wall oven, dw, double sink etc etc 4. do you want a pantry to include room for extra fridge and or freezer or do you prefer in the kitchen? 5. would you consider a breakfast bar between the new kitchen and entertaining? 6. the mountain view is towards the backyard...but where does morning and afternoon sun enter the house?

1. yes both 2. currently the door is kitchen side, window is bathroom side 3. my only essential in kitchen is DW ;) have not really thought a lot about these details yet - but think double sink is a must 4. I think prefer in kitchen - fridge gets a serious workout! 5. do you mean breakfast bar instead of the servery to outside? or both? happy to have both, but really want those open kitchen windows! 6. the kitchen windows and entertainment room doors (which will open right up) will be north facing - sun comes up on Bed 1/2/3 side, and sets over behind the bbq area.

initial suggestions for kitchen, pantry and laundry ..the new kitchen wall has been moved to make laundry door less clunky, the washer and dryer are both under a wide counter with a drop in sink, there's a wide servery to both the entertainment area and the backyard and, have you ever considered sharing access to the toilet in the new ensuite from outside (just for special occasions visitors)??

wow oklouise - thank you!! just out of interest - did you add the breakfast bar because you think the original is lacking bench space?

an alternative would be keeping the bench next to fridge open (without a wall) as a breakfast bar? I think I would like to keep the walk through kitchen to make it feel open, but that might just be because it's been what was in my head up until now!

here's a walk through kitchen... seeing different variations helps confirm the things that you really want and what you can live without and, do you mean to make an opening (like a window above the counter to the old living room?)

Thanks Styling Edge - that is just what I had in mind! Glad it is working well for you in terms of functionality too. At one point I was going to do external laundry out near the line, but then realised I have enough trouble getting kids to put their washing in the laundry as it is!!

Still really seeing the benefits of your idea oklouise - my only concern is that it might look/feel a bit odd with a servery with a laundry/pantry door right next to it. I actually meant no 'wall' at all for that part of bench, but think it might look too odd since there'll be full wall to enclose the fridge next to it. Still so many decisions to make!

We made our laundry into part of the kitchen also (hidden behind bifold so to match kitchen cabinetry). Noise isn't too bad with doors closed and I think we have a particularly loud front loader. One idea we had to reduce noise was to put a rubber mat under it to reduce vibration noise during the spin cycle. 18 months on and we haven't bothered yet. We have space for a dryer but don't have one do I can't comment in that aspect. Definitely thrilled that we went ahead and created the kitchen and outdoor flow that we wanted, instead of worrying about no separate laundry.

my concern is leaving enough wall to support the roof, conceal back of fridges and make room for furniture on the the other side of the wall!! ...but there's always another way...

btw the stripey walls are where the kitchen and old laundry walls would need to be removed and i do realise you only asked about a laundry in a cupboard!!

Ohhh, I like that!!!

to answer your questions, 1. it was accessible for a boat/quad bike by previous owner who housed them in the shed (which we have just had removed - but was in the 'existing floor plan') 2. it's going to be more of an indoor/outdoor room for weekends - the extended part where the large table is - we plan to be able to open that whole section up to outside. whereas the 'other' lounge/dining I imagine will be our every day breakfast/dinner/homework spot and my lounge, for when kids want to watch something different etc.

also like your interesting idea re external access to the ensuite. what sort of door would you imagine there??

Ha - I just found this, and my first thought was I could get the puppy straight in the shower from the yard! bit awkward for guests though ;)

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Do you think we are going to end up with overkill has far as doors go? We added a door to the 'study' because we were worried about not having any easy 'exit' from the bedroom end of the house, then if we have the laundry door back in, and an ensuite door..... too much?!

We had an exterior door installed in our ensuite at a previous home so we could access the spa & pool. That way we weren't dripping water/chlorine onto our carpet and could shower off immediately. Love the photo of door into shower. How clever.

more points to consider: 1. the external door from the laundry is for every day use, 2. the exernal door from the ensuite is 1500mm wide sliding glass, you could sit on the loo and admire the view or walk out in the morning with a cup of coffee, or wash the dog in the shower and let it out to the backyard, or use the ensuite as guest loo from outside and emergency exit from the end of the house (instead of the outside door in the study and do you need the dividing wall in the study?) 3.if the converted garage is not to be used as a dining area and is to be opened up across the north to include outdoors..does the old garage need to be enlarged? (major expense that might be better spent on the outside living area with paving, pergolas, built in barbq?)..4. If the original living area is to be used for daily living then what if the whole wall of the old kitchen is removed to create an open plan kitchen/family/ dining room with a traditional breakfast bar ...5. now there's a place to stack the groceries as you come in the front door and can omit that extra door to the foyer!! and 6. would you prefer the sink and DW on this bench and leave the back counter as a servery to the outside??..7. .you mentioned options for future sale so can i suggest you keep the driveway access to the backyard and rethink the barbq and storage for the carport and 8. do you like the porch sheltering the route from carport to front door?

We did have frosted glass so still had privacy.

more open plan ...

so much to think about!
2. would be more likely to be sitting on loo in view of the neighbours haha! but I think the other points! 3. it's tricky to explain the garage conversion - the idea is that the large table out there will be used for family/friend dinners all year round - ie. its not out in the yard and unpleasant in winter... can still be 'closed in' on cool nights, but open through the warmer months. the kids regularly have friends stay here, and i like being able to move the noise 'out there' ;)
4. that does seem to make a lot of sense with the open plan kitchen! not sure about sink and dishwasher - inclined to think it would be nice to have the view when faced with sink jobs.... and have the breakfast bar clear for... breakfasting ..
7. I don't know that I could get my car down there, and the posts that support the carport get in the way of it being accessible by car already. Is there some benefit of having a driveway into the backyard?!
8. do you mean pave/cover a porch here? I will find external drawing of what we had considered so far.

thanks so much for your input - again!

if you can't already drive in the backyard the storage area on the side of the carport will be great when the big garage is converted. Here's a picture showing a b'fast bar and separate outdoor servery something like i think you want??..

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Hi charlie_com: would love to see more as your house plans develop. We bought a house in The Gap last year. So hi, neighbour!

We are currently working on plans for short term and long term renovations. I came across your post when searching for advice about whether it would be a big issue if laundry doesn't have direct external access.

I agree with others who have mentioned the condenser dryer: our laundry is currently not internal and concealed, but we bought one soon after we moved in (a Bosch heat pump/condenser dryer) and are really happy with the investment as it reduces moisture in the laundry area and is much more energy efficient. I must admit to using it a lot now, because of the energy efficiency, and it being so much easier to stay on top of the laundry.

The Styling Edge's photo of concealed laundry set up reminded me of a house where I first saw this set up being sold in Ashgrove several years ago. It was very nicely renovated, and part of the fairly open plan living, dining and kitchen zone, leading to the back deck and then back yard. I remember thinking it would be handy to have a laundry that was so close to living areas and bedrooms and not be separated from the main living. The house had no trouble selling, so it certainly didn't seem to be a deal breaker for buyers.

I think it could be more problematic if there was a long, windy route through or around the house, to get to a clothes line.

And by the way, I did check out your other posts to see if there was more progress on your house, and spotted the mention of not having a rug for 10 years due to inability to decide, and had a bit of a chuckle: that sounds so much like me.

Not sure if you are going to renovate your existing bathroom, or not. If you are, then perhaps keep your original plan - and put an external doorway into the original bathroom - so you have better access for you new entertaining area.