Thanks Kiwimills - Good suggestion but we are using the space in the garage to line with shelving and a freestanding freezer. Thanks again Oklouise - I will have to check on the actual type of dryer I have. Maybe I have the terminology wrong. Maybe I meant heat pump or...it’s been a while since I researched and bought it but it’s stacked over the washer. Doubt that’d be working if it was a condenser. That was a great tip about the toilet - can’t believe I hadn’t thought about that before!! We’re signing off on these plans on Monday so I’d better check if there’s time for a last minute change. Will affect slab and velux so will see but glad you mentioned it! And thank you Kate for your comment too. We had a regular door initially but at 1000mm width, the room wouldn’t allow room to lay down an ironing board easily with a door swung open. Removing the door swing will assist with that somewhat. And I’m used to entering my laundry door currently via a 720mm slider so it won’t bother me. Thanks again everyone! So helpful!

I agree with Dr Retro and Kate. As the bathroom is so small, why not make it a wet room? We turned our small downstairs bathroom into a wet room, with no walls for the shower. The room now feels really spacious, the toilet doesn't feel squashed in and it is very easy to clean. You have to make sure the whole room is properly waterproofed, but it is worth it. Also, you definitely need to plan some storage to make up for losing the 2 linen cupboards. If you put in a wardrobe along the wall suggested by Dr Retro, you will have space to partition some of it off for linen and maybe a broom cupboard. And definitely take all cupboards to the ceiling, everywhere. The extra storage will be surprising. As for the kitchen, I am a big fan of a galley kitchen in a small space. It gives you more room for dining and lounge areas. Have you walked around Ikea and looked at their suggestions for small areas? They have heaps of good ideas. As I see it, your main headache will be the fridge. Kitchens are very personal, I find. You need to think about the layout very carefully, and consider how you like to work in the kitchen. We are currently doing our kitchen after living in the house for over three years and taking most of that time to figure out exactly what we wanted. We then found a kitchen designer who was full of great ideas and helped us refine our broad ideas into the detail we needed. We have just finally approved the plans and finishes and are looking forward to the completion of our kitchen in 2 months.

great idea but keep in mind that if the bottom of the machines is 90cm off the floor the standard top controls would be at about 1.8m..would it be more comfortable for the machines to be raised a little lower? ...some of the manufacturers offer a WM stand with drawer that might be worth considering as the machines might be too heavy for standard cabinets and condensor dryers are recommended to be on the floor because they're too heavy to be raised but, to answer your question, the standard waste pipe is already higher than the drains so there shouldn't be any problem with a raised installation but check with the manufacturers of the machines for specific written advice to show the plumber (eg you may need a longer hose?) and talk to your builder and plumber to make sure that your special installation is written into your contract as it's easy for any variation from standard to be overlooked

Almost there ! The previous owners at my new place have moved out ( well 98% ) as of last weekend , and I have the keys . At some stage I'll get the locks changed -- you just never know ! I've taken one large covered trailer load there , enough stuff for basic camping there haha . Right now , most of that stuff is in the garage . There's a self contained furnished flat above the garage too , so I could live there . As I have 6 weeks to move , I very cleverly thought I would clean everything ( I have a Bissell carpet cleaner and 2 5 litre containers of the fluid , as well as a steam mop , and all the usual brushes , brooms , mops , buckets , rolls of cloth , etc , etc . ) . Great idea ! I've started in the living area and master bedroom -- I was initially going to touch up the skirting boards and door frames etc , but even with a small artists brush and a 25mm paint brush , and white paint and masking tape and lots of paper , the white colours look a bit different . Enough to annoy me haha . So I've been down on my knees most of Sunday , filling any knicks in the wood with a wood filler . Next will be sanding , then painting . Dining , kitchen , family , lounge , foyer and master bedroom first . And that won't even be 1/3rd of the place done ! I think I'll need the 6 weeks haha -- its a busy time in several of my entertainment and sound businesses , plus lots of motorsport , including one trip to Christchurch which is 24 hours each way plus 3 or 4 days there , try and get a few days at the beach at some stage too , paint a commercial building , and the small added issue of a relatively new girlfriend too haha . A few late nights and/or 3am starts me thinks !