Hi Emma, As you say, whilst it's lines on a page, you have a precious window of opportunity to get it right - before you make all these choices and decisions permanent ones you are forced to live with. So I hope you'll appreciate my honesty, and not be offended by it. I am incredibly passionate about helping people create homes that make their lives better, and I want you to achieve the best outcome possible for your home, your budget and your life, and that's why I don't mince words. I have such concerns about this floor plan generally Emma. I can understand the desire to maximise the view however I believe that the everyday use of your home, traversing all those stairs, and being disconnected from your garden (especially with small children) is consequently being compromised, and will be challenging and frustrating. I think the multi-purpose rooms appear to be space for space's sake ... they lack thought and intention for their use, and the way you need to circulate through or across them will compromise their functionality, furnishability and sense of space. It's interesting that there's no furniture shown in them on these floor plans, whereas the other areas are all furnished. With family homes, I would consider the following: supervision of gardens from indoor living areas has such a dramatic impact on the usability of the home overall, and your ability to get stuff done whilst kids play etc a study nook or somewhere near living areas where kids' use of computers can be supervised, and you have a home 'command station' of sorts is also good the ability to acoustically close off a lounge area - which is the kids' TV / play area is very helpful for long term use I wouldn't split the bathrooms - I understand what you're seeking to achieve, but replanning to group them in one area will consolidate plumbing and your wet area finishes and be more efficient overall consider creating a floor plan that works with access / circulation etc between living areas and garden, and then having an upper floor living area or retreat where you can enjoy the view One of the biggest challenges with homes in Brisbane is that they are completely divorced from their gardens because they have prioritised the view. As a mum to 3 young kids, and having helped truckloads of clients with family homes (and families of all ages), I know this for sure ... the connection to garden ... the ability to move in and out with ease, safety and enjoyment ... is one of the things that pays dividends long term. The view is the immediate and early 'wow' but the inconvenience of having to take a packed lunch each time your kids want to use the yard or pool is infuriating. With clever design you can have both convenience and enjoyment of the view. Your home design dictates the lifestyle you lead in it. Focus on functionality and durability and it will create a home that works now and always. There is no northpoint on these drawings, so I can't comment as to the success of the planning in terms of the orientation - which is something to be aware of also. I'd also be doing a budget check. There are A LOT of wet areas in this home because of how they're being distributed throughout the floor plan. Best wishes with the creation of your new home, Regards Amelia Lee, UA www.undercoverarchitect.com amelia@undercoverarchitect.com

I have decided that it is a bit extravagant for me to have two bathrooms in my little house based on the small amount of times the second bathroom will be used. I am still wanting to have a laundry cupboard that has the washing machine and dryer in it (and maybe some storage or bench space for sorting????), but where the top bathroom was, I am just going to have a walk in robe off the bedroom to the right. It will have a cavity sliding door into the walk in robe. The walls go to 2700mm. To enable the shower to have a width of 900mm in the lower bathroom, the doorway is now going to be moved so that the entry to the bathroom is via a door to the far right. The toilet will now be in between the shower and vanity, so that the toilet isnt the first thing you see when you walk into the bathroom. Can anyone see any issues with the changed design, and can you suggest how to design the walk in robe and the laundry cupboard to maximise storage and function. Should I now make the the bathroom deeper and the walk in robe narrower? Should I make the laundry cupboard wider? PS. If I ever buy another house, it will be one that has already been renovated.....I am not made for design decisions. Thanks in advance for your help.

I don’t think that you achieving your goals of a smart use of spaces. If designing for wheelchair access, the bathrooms are not big enough. There is a very good standard on space requirement for wheelchairs. it is gold level of https://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Documents/accessibility-design-guide.pdf Are you working with an architect? Wheelchair access is tricking as one has to think in navigating in a full circle spin. Doorways need to be 900-1000. Bathrooms need to be wet rooms rather than the conventional. There are some great architects in the Wide Bay Area, who will design function over form and at a manageable cost. It may be worthwhile investigating.

thanks kate and okLouise, ill do some more "splash testing" in my current shower. agree regarding the floor gradient...it will need to fall across the whole room as per "wet room" requirements, and there will be additional fall withing the shower zone. Im thinking that i will plan the layout as per option 2, with provision for a glass screen to be added next to the bath at a later date if required?