Hi Katie. I've just finished a reno in a bathroom approximately this size. it looks like the toilet is currently on an exterior wall. if this is the case it can be costly - or not possible to relocate the plumbing. Yes, I know cisterns can be installed in the wall. My plumbers are wary of these ....try fixing a fault without cutting a hole - or holes - in the wall! If you are restricted to the outside wall, I would install a sliding door (gives you more space in the actual room). Leaving the bath and shower where they are saves $$$. if you move the toilet further to the left and install a wall-hung vanity under the window, you could also add a 'half-wall' to the toilet area for privacy. (Wall-hung vanities open the room up. This plan would give you great space on the left hand wall for storage and/or laundry hampers, You could of course switch the bath to the opposite wall, and move the toilet to the current bath area. Moving the door to the right AND installing a slider, would allow this. (BTW I just installed a 1700 bath - 1500's are available too.) Hope this is not too unclear! Enjoy the process!.

rhyzar perhaps send through a larger floor plan please so this all can be understood/analysed in context? how far along is the project? Good ideas here however it's assuming capacity for changing/taking over passage/access to what appears to be leading down another passage at the top of the page? Or am I missing something? Another way to do this without completely taking over passage space is to flip the powder over to the external wall which would enable natural light into it. I'd also vote for a double basin set-up. Attached sketch of this option/idea if space is restricted - dashed line shows walls of the plan you sent Good luck! PD

Thanks very much ramcub for sending through these options. We have decided to go with your last layout (alternative 2). OKlouise, your layout above with the D bath is also a really smart design.... My husband and I have had good discussion this evening between these two layouts - both are great. The double shower gets it over the line for us though... To answer your question ramcub, we envisage putting a large round ottoman in the middle of the WIR. Thank you all for your input and ideas.

From a "passive solar design" point of view, everything is right. Rectangular home facing north/south. With north facing living rooms, rarely used rooms to the west. But one other thing to consider, plumbing. Locating it close together will lower building costs, & the wastage of water, waiting for hot water. So I'd consider swapping bedroom 4 for the western wet areas. Behind the kitchen is have the laundry, then bathroom, then linen, the bedroom furthest to the west. I'm not mad about western bedrooms, especially in hot climates. But in this case it sounds like it would be used sparingly. Plus if make sure there was no western window, just a northern one. Insulating the western wall well, & using a radiant barrier (reflective insulation). The approach will also significantly shorten the length of the western hallway. Greatly increasing the size of bedroom 4. Talking room sizes, & room numbers, from a sustainability point of view, I think the home is too large for what is likely to be a two person home for much of the time. The embodied energy (emissions created) from a new build home is huge, averaging 15 years of operational energy. I'd be looking to reduce the house size, by using multipurpose rooms. The occasional kids housed in the study, or the media room. This can work out great with clever design (like incorporating murphy beds). How will the media room be used? Will noise be an issue. Will you be happy to have it so close to the master bed? The building orientation/shape will be great for solar PV, with a large roof area facing north. I'd I was building nowadays, is be aiming for an all-electric home. Ditching gas - of its even available where you are - in favour of efficient electric appliances. Reverse cycle AC for heating (if it's required), supplemented by fans for cooling, hot water heat pump (extremely efficient), induction cooktop (sensitive, fast acting, easy to clean). All powered by solar PV. If it's an option, I'd look at 3 phase power, which will let you install a larger PV system. It will also allow you install a fast charger for EV, likely to be your next car purchase, or soon after.