A friend of mine installed prefab along her balcony but they ran the length of the house wall, so we're pretty much protected from weather. She had screens installed at either end. Where you see the BBQ and cabinets in your photo, she just had a free standing BBQ. Her cabinets even housed her washing machine, bar fridge and dish drawer. Looked fabulous in white with her timber floor.

Hi I am really interested in this discussion for similar reasons. Currently our plans squeeze in a pantry under the stairs so 1.5 m X 1 m. Builder suggests we shrink ensuite from 3350 x 1650 to 2350 x1650 long so it becomes a proper walk in pantry 2m x1.5 m. I was concerned I will end up with two nonfunctional spaces. But it sounds like the pantry will work. What are everyone's opinion on a master ensuite size. It means I'll have a single basin vanity only 500 m wide

My advice is to think about the working/function as you need it for your family. Prioritise that (as a starting point) and get that happening somewhat free of a "box" shape extension and see how that all sits - it's like you're trying to squeeze it all in to a specific shape and then struggling with certain details....you're suggesting/entertaining ideas like a functional laundry/bag drop zone etc which 100% is important/relevant for a busy family of 4. The problem seems that there hasn't been true clarity on the function/requirements before the design has been proposed. Is it too small? Well it depends on how exactly you intend on using it - how many people need to be able to sit at the table or on the lounge etc..this will dictate scaling - whether or not you'd like a butlers pantry or not. Is the 3rd toilet needed? Well ultimately nobody can tell you that one way or the other - you will know whether functionally that is a requirement necessary for your family - all these are questions you will have (or need to establish) an opinion/position on one way or another and then (should) be able to work through (more effectively) & resolve with the architect whom you've engaged.....you are obviously staging the project which can be logical/necessary, and given this there may in fact be alternative and arguably more cost effective design options available for you (such as a 2nd stage "clean" extension for a master suite), but realistically that involves greater understanding/information of the site/context and your particular budget in order to provide specific advice/suggestions as to how best to achieve your goals...Good luck :) PD

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Yes, Ikea and other stores have freestanding cabinets that need to be secured to a wall. Smallest dimensions are 30cm x 30cm - which is very goodm but unfortunately there is no space in the kitchen, the area is very tight. A downside to walls being taken out to open up the space between living and dining areas has meant any wall space where a cupboard could have gone is no longer there. Am working out where I may be able to recess into the wall for a narrow, bookshelf deep linen cupboard, possibly this will have to be in the bedroom. My guess is they originally had a free standing cupboard/ armoire somewhere in the living room. Did some researching on realestate.com for houses of similar size in the area and there are quite a few listed that have no linen cupboards- same issue, floor area too small to have accommodated one or renovations would have meant to make a room larger, they went without the linen cupboard. I'm seeing a few linen cupboards built into the lounge rooms- perhaps a cloak cupboard, and also next to built in wardrobes in main bedrooms. I've been thinking of building a utilities cupboard like you mention out on the back deck, though squeezing a 25cm tall narrow cupboard into the laundry space for broom and stick vacuum. seems do-able.