I enjoy the challenge of using space efficiently and owning what I need, not what I want. I've been clearing the excess items from my kitchen for a few years now and enjoying a more spacious feel without actually increasing the size. For the laundry I like the washer and dryer (Australian size) built-in under a long bench top so it looks neat and uncluttered. The bench provides plenty of area to fold washing and do other jobs. I love a large, deep tub for cleaning oven racks in and other big or awkward tasks. Plus a wall of storage cupboards and drawers. So a practical, well designed kitchen is a must but so is a laundry. For me they don't have to be big, just well thought out. I can't choose.

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.

if you move the garage entry into the family room and moved the laundry towards the glass doors there should be a corner that could have under bench for a dog bed and counter with under bench drawer and wall shelves but there's not enough space to separate the laundry with a wall without compromising the entry to the kitchen..or you could also consider installing the laundry in the family room storage space but with so many doors and walkways across the space the family room makes a much better dining room and the old dining room a cosy TV room

@dreamer Ha, I was embarrassed by how messy this pic was, that's why I didn't put it in the initial post. Yes, the power lead is absolutely gone - we just moved in a couple of weeks ago and everything in the wrong place! Thank you for your concern :) I was pretty sure that the measurements didn't allow for them to be side by side, but I'm going to look into that. If we can do that with enough airflow underneath for the ventilation, that would be a good solution. The patio has a roof but the left side of the photo (where the very overgrown grass is) does get wet in rain, so not sure if the side by side machines would work for that reason too. @Kate Yes, it's exposed on the side. We just wanted to find a laundry solution at this time - we are also planning on updating the kitchen and bathroom this year, but had initially thought that we would do that by just updating cabinets/appliances (and just re-siliconing and freshening up the bathroom). We are not against a bigger renovation but obviously have some cost limitations and are trying to do what makes the most sense.