Well, I guess you first need to think what you really want to use the space for. Will it be your main TV viewing area? (If so, I'd cosy it up with a big rug first). It's a shame to use it as a TV area though, since that means blocking off the sliding doors with furniture. I'm guessing at the moment you don't need as a little kids play area or teenagers homework area - but how about a home office, or even gym/workout area? (There's a great article on Houzz today about making smart home gym spaces: [https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/step-up-your-workout-zone-with-10-simple-additions-stsetivw-vs~39722244[(https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/step-up-your-workout-zone-with-10-simple-additions-stsetivw-vs~39722244).) Or, given, the sliding doors and tiles, how about a conservatory? An indoor herb garden, with some orchids, ferns and maybe even a small palm? Do you have a craft or hobby that could use a dedicated area? I'm thinking artistic types would love to turn the space into a mini studio - or I could let the person with whom I share my life play with his car parts there . . . (tiles! easy to clean up!) Of course, whichever option you choose for the space, I'd keep the cat climbing frame and snuggle-pod!

Thanks, Julie. The tree at the front is lovely, but the piece de resistance is our nyssa sylvatica in the backyard. It's magnificent. The most beautiful shade tree in Summer and outstanding autumn colour. We have wonderful al fresco meals under it in Summer and also in winter on a sunny day. I saw your other garden photos on your profile. What a beautiful garden you have made! Clever girl. And thanks for your suggestions. I'm definitely leaning towards that.

Orientation plays a huge part in the comfort of a home, & it's energy efficiency. In simple terms, a northern aspect is good, increasing light, sunshine in winter, shaded in summer (by appropriate length eaves). A western aspect is bad (especially for bedrooms), as the sun is low in the sky in this direction & difficult to shade, at the hottest time of the day. You have a SW frontage, & a NE aspect. A NE is a very good aspect, so you should take advantage of it! Currently only the master bedroom faces this direction. It would be much better if you're living areas faced this way. Instead they mostly face NW (along with a couple of your bedrooms), which will result in a very hot home on summer afternoons. So unless you have privacy issues with neighbours, views to take advantage of, or other issues, which have lead to this design, I'd be looking at a redesign. Aiming for living areas to face NE, the majority of bedrooms SE, with the garage on the western side to protect the home from the hot afternoon sun. So, if you like the overall layout of the plan, try to achieve the above without too many major changes. Flip the front part of the house, so the garage is on the west, & the minor bedrooms face SE. Rotate the living areas 90°, & use the width of the block, so that the master doesn't take all the NE sun from the living areas. Flip the master, so that it has NE & SE aspects, & the ensuite bares the brunt of the NW sun. Or switch the master with the living areas, so they have an even better NE aspect. Though you'll need a longer hallway to reach the living areas from the entrance of the home in this case. Read more about orientation & passive solar design on the brilliant Your Home government website, https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation

I was inspired by the block, which has excellent orientation for a house which is comfortable in the local climate while being good for the planet, thus my comment about the stars, I think that is more valuable than the emphasis on 30 squares. The rest is up to the occupants' requirements, about which I am increasingly confused. I love seeing what others come up with, but I always feel the best starting point is a clear explanation of the requirements.