Agree with @dohraime, look at next size up. I always buy the next size up in quilts/doona covers as well, so there is a bit more overhang on the sides.

if you want to be able to open the doors, load the boot and walk around i think you need at least 9m x 7m but if you to also want useable work benches and storage spaces (eg for the lawn mower etc) add at least 1 m to width and length

I'm sure there's plenty of confusion about the why's and wherefore's of house orientation. The reality, as I have recently discovered, is that if want to live in an area that is older, developed, close to facilities, you take whatever orientation the block actually happens to be and do the best you can with it. Unless you're out in the country, or buying something in a new estate, you may not get a choice of orientation: we certainly didn't. And yes, our garage does have the best aspect - because there was nowhere else to put it - it had to face the street - but we live walking distance to shops (think of the petrol saved on not having to get into the car), we've got clerestory windows on the west side so no afternoon sun issues, and we're assembling a collection of sails for the south side, where the deck is, to provide shade from the late afternoon sun. Oh, and skylights for the kitchen. No, not ideal. But the location is, and the designers have worked around the constraints of orientation. And that's reality for a lot of us.

Again, without dimensions, land size, location and construction data, it's hard to make helpful comments, Harman, but do you really need a dining room and family room as well as living room and rumpus? I think it might be worth considering oklouise's suggestion to convert the dining room to a laundry and pantry. Perhaps in doing so, you could rearrange the kitchen so that it has direct access to the patio (I think U-shape kitchens are somewhat dated and out of favour. I demolished mine despite it being quite new and in perfect condition, because I wanted free traffic flow from the kitchen to the outdoor living area. I hated being trapped behind the bar of the U while others were partying outside, and having to walk in circles to get from the sink or cooker to the party area.) The U shape, in your case, also means you walk in circles from the kitchen to dining room or family room. I'm not the design expert here. Oklouise, Kate and Siriuskey are among those holding that title! They made brilliant suggestions for rearranging my kitchen and I have ended up with a fabulous open-plan kitchen with servery to BBQ area on one side and direct access to the veranda on the other, plus a fantastic scullery and pantry (what used to be wasted space in a store room and hall) and a much larger and more workable laundry that is no longer a traffic thoroughfare. I really think you'd find it worthwhile to post a floor plan with dimensions; location, block size and orientation information, and some data about the construction (especially whether slab floor or timber with access under). You might be pleasantly surprised at the alternate layout suggestions some here would be able to offer. I'm sure you are aware that the kitchen is the focal point for home buyers. Nothing boosts a home's resale value more than a great kitchen - and these days most families seem to want a walk-in pantry, or at least a large dedicated pantry cupboard. So while converting the bathroom and laundry will boost value substantially, I would definitely consider what you might be able to do with the kitchen (subject to budget constraints of course) and think carefully about ensuring there is a functional laundry, conveniently located. Postscript: Check with council about development requirements. We discovered that a roof extension of less than 10 sq m is allowed in our area without approval - just signed off by a certifier. A laundry extension on the left side of the rumpus room might be easier than you think.