We...actually mean me use gravity hooks AKA the floor for most coats , living in rental at the moment and not allowed to screw anything into the walls. We have some over the door coat hooks from Ikea which drive me demented as it means the doors don't shut properly.....currently designing our dream house, could find a beautiful space for this.....might even give up my gravity hooks which would please the other half no end

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.

Hello lovelies - you guys have been busy this afternoon. Thank you sincerely for all your efforts to accommodate us and our limitations. I really am touched by the thoughtfulness and time you have invested in our little project. The rest of the house for some reason is not really bothering me... I guess because I'll be spending a fair bit of time in the master, that's probably the reason why I need it to be 'just right'... I need it designed in such a way that will help, not hinder - whilst also be practical, safe and beautiful. Simple things that will promote independence for me, rather than continue to dictate reliance on others which I bloody hate :( Little things like that will do wonders for my self esteem and self confidence and go a long way for me, being the person I used to be... somewhere along the way, I feel that person has gotten lost in a fog of chronic pain in my chest and my back. Others have it worse. Please don't think I'm playing my own orchestra of violins here lol. But if we can nail this, then the rest of the house will be easy lol! oklouise has got my studio room sorted perfectly. And I'm pretty sure the kitchen/butlers pantry and laundry/mud room are looking very schmick already. So I'm hoping once I have this sorted, I won't be around to bother you guys again - hey, there's a light at the end of the tunnel lol. I love what you are trying to do for us siri... it looks like a glam bathroom which I appreciate.... all the practicalities of a hospital style bathroom, but with some gorgeous glamour... I think that is very cool. This is all so very new to me and it's been a great journey of discovery about what is out there.... the picture you painted, the coloured tiles, timber etc... I could see it and I think it would be perfect. Just so I get it right in my own head to clarify - does this awesome large double walk in shower have those narrow walls on either side for a little privacy, shower curtain or glass sliding doors? I guess that is one thing that has me tripped up at the moment. Pro's and con's for all of it. I need something that will look beautiful and still show light, whilst giving me some 'privacy' .... I don't tend to cry in front of my children but if I want to have a moment to let some things go, it would be nice to have a little sook in the shower without anyone seeing me. Obviously I'm very self conscious also so I do think Philip's original 3D image of those large glass sliders was very appealing to me as I could hide behind those without fear of being even more vulnerable in front of my children. I love the romantic idea of the shower curtain and believe it would bring a lovely softness to the space....cleaning wise, it may be a good option if I can swap it out with another to clean as you suggested Siriuskey... something that will be easy to 'clean/maintain' with all of my issues will be key either way. I do have a cleaner that comes once a fortnight to do all the big jobs that I can't do anymore so I'm conscientious of still having a beautiful space in between those cleans and I do worry that the glass may be quite high maintenance for someone like me who physically can't keep it clean in between the cleaner doing it for me if that all makes sense. So I guess that's why I thought maybe the short walls at either end might work? I did a little research earlier tonight on HOUZZ that mentioned about a treatment applied to glass that helps with soap scum etc???? Anyone familiar with that? If that is the case, then I would pick a lovely tinted/sandblasted glass I think - that will still allow light to fly around. Brixnmorta - many thanks for the security film suggestion!!! I appreciate the link for it - thank you so much. I have saved it for future reference. Thank you oklouise for your beautiful plans. You don't have to continue guys. I have some excellent plans as they stand now to take to the builder so feel free to help others :) You've already done more than enough for me xx PS. Siri - that fireplace! OMG! How nice is that?! We'll use a fireplace or set up an awesome fire pit/fireplace in the alfresco area - and that will be perfect. I also am a lover of candles so can have mini fires all over our bedroom lol xxxx

My house is also built at the top of a hill, the summit and is cut into a cliff. We bought it, it was built in the 90s and the orientation is entirely wrong. The living areas face west and all bedrooms are in the east. The master is exposed to the western and the northern sunshine. It’s nice in the winter and entirely unbearable in the summer. The same goes for my living room. We take extra long holidays in the summer to avoid being at home. The home had no insulation in ceilings, and raked ceilings. So the first thing we did was remove the roof sheeting install battens to create a cavity and installed R3.5 insulation. We are also upgrading installing new windows to upgrade the glazing on the western windows and looking to put insulation in all the walls It also gets really windy, so windy. So I understand your concerns. When it gets windy the entire house shakes. So the next thing will be to improve the bracing. There is a 3-4metre clearance under our home for storage. We could do a build in under. Even with the positioning of our shed and close proximity to the home it does little to shelter from the wind. We are considered the building an “outdoor room” which would act as an alfresco with skylights, lounge, pool and kitchenette that could act as an outdoor entertainment area when weather permits. I just did a sustainable design for a client nearby. I am so jealous of her amazing home. Her land is smaller then my land and her land cost the same price as my house and land. So I am grateful for what I have.