siriusky thank you for the photos that looks beautiful (your exposed brick is stunning, sadly ours is a really ugly colour so we will be covering it up!). I am a big fan of 70s features - the high ceilings, raked beams etc and was looking specifically for one that needed renovating! I have 2 kids but I also work from home so need a study and I think a 4th bedroom upstairs would add value to the house. Can a bedroom have no windows? Because downstairs there are no windows in that little section and I dont think there is the possibility of creating one (built on a sloping block and it is built into the hill). That will be my study in the interim or long term if we decide not to change the layout upstairs. I really love the idea of the doors out to the balcony from the main bedroom too, will definitely investigate the cost to do that with the builder! definitely plan to open everything up upstairs as it is quite dark, opening it up will make a big difference. Tweeza thank you I really love that plan, and think the laundry and pantry like that would work very well! Jess I LOVE that first plan and all that lovely storage, if only we could find some way to incorporate a laundry. Hubby suggested a cupboard style laundry (washing machine behind doors) but I am just not a big fan of those! would probably have to sacrifice my lovely pantry for a laundry :) Thank you so much for everyone taking the time to help me I really appreciate it. Will post some photos after settlement and will be back for lots more advice!

much as i like the idea of a small home the internal brick walls and concrete slab makes any internal renovation very expensive and although the garage would be an OK size for a small master suite the challenge is to try and include a bathroom and wardrobe with access from inside without sacrificing something else...my best suggestion would be to swop the paved reversing area and lawn to cool down the front of the house and create a secure fenced garden for your toddler and add a new carport but, any extra buildings need to meet building regulation for proportion of the block covered by buildings......the old carport has barely enough space for a small bedroom, wiw and tiny ensuite (located to make connecting to the sewerage more economical) but the door through the living area restricts furniture arrangement and you would also need to raise the floor or have a step down into the new bedroom... i would expect these changes to cost around $50,000 plus all the work to rearrange the paving and plant a new lawn and the cost of a new carport so, unless the house is in a fabulous location at a fabulous price, i suggest you may find another home to suit your needs much better

Very clever transformation and I like the cubicle en-suite I the loft .

After you have investigated the black space. If it is a closed up hallway, open it up, then this is a rough sketch of my suggestions. Sunroom becomes bedroom. Main bedroom incorporates office and small room as a WIR with access to ensuite. Kitchen becomes scullery and wall is taken out next to fireplace for access into living/dining room, installing an island and bench space incorporating the fire place. Appliances being place either in scullery or new kitchen space. This is just wild suggestions as you have not given measurements and you really need to access that black space. And you said you do not want plumbing or structural changes.