Hi there, sorry for my bad drawing skills but I would like to see the fridge moved, a bigger island and if the window is not being moved make the access to the WIP next to it. If sink was moved you could have center door access to the WIP, not a fan of those corner cabinets though. Wall cabinets above cook top and other long wall next to the sink. cheers

Or sliding doors to close off the Butlers pantry

You could also have access to the laundry via the Pantry, I notice that there's a toilet in that space which would have to be made into a separate Closet, so not really keen on that as well as you mentioned the "circle" the kids would love it but not you.

If the laundry was accessed via the kitchen the laundry and toilet would need to be separated so that only the toilet/powder room was accessed from the family room, to break the circle

the measurements of the original plan don't seem to correspond to the two variations ( i expected the doorway between the old kitchen and rear hallway to be about 1.3 wide but the new doorway implies that the bedroom wall has been moved???) ..using approximate dimensions my suggestion would be to control traffic by moving the entry to the family room, retain a small rear hall to separate access to bathroom, laundry or family room and hopefully the kids can be restricted to movement mostly through the family room and only through the laundry when guests are in residence and we need more precise measurements to make a proper plan for the the pantry laundry (although there seems to be adequate space for a full kitchen with a "window" in the old doorway looking down into the family room...

Thank you oklouise, siriuskey and scottevie for your great feedback. No, the dimensions are not yet precise as these sketches are only for the family to consider the possible options. Cooking smells are eliminated by use of an effective rangehood and the 'laundry' will be concealed behind doors - just stacked washer and drier. However, including it in the third bathroom was discussed and is definitely possible. There would be room for a laundry in there, scottevie. I like your plan oklouise, thank you, except the family room is access to the garden - so there would be lots of traffic - plus the whole 'kids running in a circle' scenario. But your thinking is very sound, thank you :-) Thanks for all the great feedback, I really appreciate it.

I agree me me, that bathroom is in an unfortunate position.

i admire your ability to make any suggestions without accurate measurements and on site inspection would make any options easier to understand but will the changes in floor level down to the family room remain the same and is there a terrace etc planned for the rear of the family room and side off the dining area? if so then the old back door could be left out and external access only through the family room?

Hi Louise, it's a prelim plan based on measurements from the original floorplan but not exacting. The first step was only to see what could be achieved and then measure for the preferred plan. Yes, the floor levels will remain the same. There is currently a large covered patio from the family room. If the laundry is incorporated into the new bathroom then the 2nd rear access will remain. Off the dining room is parking for two cars and then the street so there is no option to create a living area off the dining room or any outdoor living.

Hi there, how many other bathrooms and where are they positioned, would I be correct in saying that it's a small house. Such a small laundry bathroom would be better off with only one door for better space, ie: via the family room

Another question, whats on the other side of the house if the carport takes up the side near the dining room?

Hi siriuskey, it's actually quite a big house, just awkwardly laid out. There are two other bathrooms - a main bathroom and an ensuite - and the laundry will just be a stacked washer and dryer, so not much space required. Yes, I think one door is a better option for the layout too. The house is on a very good sized corner block. The dining room side is open to a car parking deck, no roof. There is a flowering hedge between the dining room window and the car park area so visually it's private and allows good sunlight. Off the family room is a large covered patio plus lawn and trees, and a large shed that will be turned into a home office. Adjacent to the dining room is a bedroom and past that (so the opposite side of the house to the dining room and car park area), is the neighbouring fence. So there is only a narrow walkway between the house and the fence.

Thanks for that, is there going to be a toilet as well, what happens to dirty laundry, a couple of photos from a Sydney designer follows.

Would you consider putting the laundry cupboard along the wall next to the Bathroom/Laundry steps as a wall of built ins and keeping the bathroom at the rear of the house behind the existing laundry toilet. This would service guests and the outdoor area along with the kids in the family room?

That looks great siriuskey - a little larger than the space we have but the concept is very nice. Yes, I think an integrated bathroom/laundry would work well. A bank of cupboards would fit between steps, as you suggest. And the preferred plan is to close off the door from the kitchen end. Laundry is pretty much done daily and then taken elsewhere for folding. The family has daily help. Thanks for the photos, they show great options :-) Cheers, Penelope

Hi there Penelope,

I thought the laundry could be in the bank of cupboards next to the stairs, this would allow great access for doing the laundry and great space for folding when dry.

For me the bathroom would work better without the laundry combined within it, Totally agree that there shouldn't be any access back through the kitchen cheers

A simple laundry of stacked washer / dryer for a family of 6 is going to result in an awful lot of laundry products and sorted washing on kitchen floor, in kitchen cupboards etc. I wouldn't have one for quids. There's great potential for the laundry to be in the bathroom, which is a much more suitable wet area, away from food and serving utensils.