Hi Mike and Emma Hope you are slowly but surely getting there... may I make some comments/suggestions that you may or not take on board, but hopefully it may at least give you some ideas/options... Going through a new build ourselves at the moment, and for what it's worth, here's what I personally think: A. Work with what you've got: - additional plumbing work, gas work etc may not be necessary and (particularly gas) can be costly when you're trying to work around existing walls, floors, etc, and as much as possible utilise the existing connections... after whatever you can save here and there, you can spend on nicer cabinetery, gadgets, finishes, etc :) B. Avoid unnecessry structural work: - removing the kitchen/living wall is a must (more space, light, etc) but removing the laundry wall is an unncessary added cost (may even require costly additional strutural support) - putting up a plastered wall on the other hand is inexpensive, allows you to redefine different zones and relocate doors/openings where required (*note: avoid hinged doors in small spaces as you have to allow for wasted space to open door - suggest cavity sliding doors, easy to incorporate in a new wall) C. Don't sacrifice functionality and natural light for design - love full height floor to ceiling cabinets, very much on trend... but they also tend to bring the walls in, which you want to avoid in an already small space... they will also block out more natural ligtht from the only window to the living and breakfast bench (meals area)... not to mention seated guests would be staring at a cabinet tower and fridge - on the other hand a walk in pantry (not that much of a walk in a small space) is also very much on trend, provides more storage and... as entertaining guests in open plan livings tends to happen more in the kitchen... it provides a good hiding place for unsightly items, including frigges... (an underbench bar fridge in the kitchen can easily keep those beers cold... though do consider that means sacrificing some cabinet space) - constantly wiping off the floors from dripping wet dishes across the kictchen from the sink to the dishwaser on the other side bench would personally drive me mad after a while... the dishwasher can easily be connected to the existing sink water and waste points through the cabinerty... any half decent plumber should be able to do that... ON THAT NOTE... or should I say those notes... I know I got a bit carried away :) ... if it were me, here's an idea of what I would try to achieve ...

Are you able to install a window on that back wall where the washer is at the moment? I know you said there is a hot water unit on the other side, but if its to one side of the wall and not in the middle, maybe you could install a window on that wall which will bring light into the room. Also I would change the washer and put in the corner of back wall and the external wall, so its facing the sliding door, this will allow you to put cabinets in a sort of L shape and install the laundry sink next to the washer on that back wall. This will give you cabinets all along the other wall, extra space and storage. The external doors you can make them open outwards and all the way back against the wall, all you need is the right hinges. So when you speak to your carpenter let them know that you would like it to open outward completely and up against your external wall. I would also swap the door, so that the hinges are on the other side, so as you open the door outwards it will open to your right as you're looking at the picture and up against the wall not the bathroom window.

correct measurements are the only answer...for your new floorplan you need a room (without any restrictions that would measure at least 2400mm x 2000...it's always possible to squeeze in some minor variations but only if it's worth the cost in convenience, improved value of the property and actual cash outlay.... the front door entry foyer would be lost, the new bathroom doorway wastes more space, the linen cupboards would be too narrow for anything except a few towels and sheets (that can easily be stored in a suitable vanity or bedroom cupboard) the bathtub is gone and you would have spent about $20,000 for a bathroom that is not better than what's already there?? ...the computer programs that we use are called 3D Home Architect and my version 4 is no longer available to buy but i believe siriuskey may have purchased her version recently? these programs do make the plans much easier to see but you must start with accurate measurements and an understanding of spaces needed ...start with a space about 800 x 800 mm for a toilet, 900 x 900mm for a basic shower, 500 x 900 for a single handbasin 1500 x 500 for a double handbasin then add in at least 900 x 900 for a doorway (including space for the frame and space to walk through...same for cavity sliders!) and then you'll need space to walk around in front of the toilet and shower and handbasins ......unfortunately with the plumbing and space restrictions i don't believe it's possible to do more than widen the existing shower space by rearranging the entry wall.(NB you'll still need to spend $5000 to $10,000 for demolition, carpentry, new waterproofing, tiles, shower, vanities wall cabinet, taps, plumbing etc..forget the linen cabinet and store linen in a new vanity and toiletries in a wall hung mirror doored cabinet and keep some width in the entry foyer (minimu 1200 wide) ...removing some of the non structural wall in the kitchen should be the cheapest improvement for the kitchen and add space for a small breakfast bar but removing the end counter would lose valuable counter space that could also be used for a pantry ...before making any decision you need to think about the reason for the changes...are the bathroom, laundry and kitchen in need of immediate repair, is the unit for your own use of needing improvements for rental or resale...?? always happy to draw up your plans but have to nag again about the accurate measurements...try measuring each separate room (ie shower, toilet and vanity, laundry and storage from wall to opposite wall in several places in both directions, ignoring all the fittings but include separate measurement of the diameter of the hot water heater.

Galina, Really think hard about access issues to your sink and washing machine behind sliding doors. If you have two sliding doors at 800mm wide, then the middle of the sliding door frame will have to be calculated that you have the sink behind one door and the washing machine behind the other door. Nothing worse than having your sliding door stopping right in the middle of your washing machine. Measure the spaces with the correct width for your appliances, and install without them being obstructed by the sliding door. Another alternative is to have hinged retractable cupboard doors, or pocket doors. These open like normal doors but then slide back out of the way into their little framed pocket. This will then not obstruct any part of your laundry space. And not impede into your dining room when open.