remove the table under the TV, place it on the dresser in the corner but on a diagonal tilt so it can be seen clearly from the couch. The lamp just looks wrong - I would remove that all together and replace it with a large Pot Plant to soften the corner. Nick Nacks etc can only be chosen by you as you have to like them but I would go for something either antique to match the lovely ornate fireplace or modern like gold, silver, brass glass. I would replace the ceiling light fitting with something modern matching the colours of your Nick Nack's. I am not a fan of the mirror I would place a large mirror on the wall that is currently utilised by the TV - this will reflect the light from the windows - again use the colours of your Nick Nacks and new light fitting for the mirror frame or go entirely frame-less. I would then find a large / modern piece of art to place above the mantel. Obviously my choices / ideas come with no budget in mind but you don't have to do everything at once..... spread the cost if you need to do it all bit by bit. Good luck with what every you choose to do.

you are super-patient!!! :) :) thank you :) I'm so sorry but I do actually have a couple MORE thoughts!! argh! there are just so many different options.... and this is a bit of an all consuming puzzle to try to solve. here they are: 1) study could become main bathroom - leaving new Bed 4 as per plan since it is bigger & a better size for guests. in this option, some area could be stolen from the study to boost ensuite size - even if it just made the ensuite 1 full metre. Ideally not requiring study window to change. 2) WC could potentially be separate either within this space OR at the back of the old kitchen (allowing for the remaining, longish hall wall to be shorter again) oklouise you may think some of these ideas are not very workable & I'd be so glad for your feedback & comment (and anyone else's comments as well), it's really so incredibly helpful - unbelievably helpful - to have everyone's input. i'd love recommendations on which ideas & options might work best for that balance between function & budget

Hi all, wow, Im so impressed with the feedback. I had a very busy weekend with weddings and birthday parties so can only just now respond. I can also offer a bit more info to help explain why some of the decisions that have been made, were made. If I miss any points its unintentional. We have an ROW at the rear, hence why the shed is orientated the way it is - to have easy access into the lane way. I am open to exploring a different layout of the back yard. The 'courtyard' is actually our drying area. Its the most logical place for it, again want to re-evaluate based on the feedback above. The alfresco is designed on the northern side to make most of northern sunlight. The kitchen/dining is on the north to give a longer view down the backyard to keep an eye on the kids. The bathroom is designed with a future en-suite in mind when funds allow. I agree that the powder room requires walking through the laundry, but we also did that for a bit more privacy, and that allowed a window outside. I do like the idea of the highlight windows above the alfresco, but almost below them is the TV which will cause to much glare. I'd be worried in summer to have such unprotected north facing windows and would find they would be covered most of the time with blinds kind of defeating the purpose. We love the 2 sets of stacking doors. They are our only non-negotiable. Ill keep think, im sure there are more points there I missed.

Appreciate the thoughts and this may be a solid option elsewhere in the country but in my circumstances I don't plan to be moving from this property any time before the kids are 18. It is located in Sydney's inner west, and in a specific high school catchment I plan to take advantage of when the kids are older. Stamp duty to buy the property was close to $100k and if moving out even in ten years to a larger property; that averages $10k a year spent on stamp duty. I know 115m2 internal is tight, as is the fixed layout due to existing bedroom walls, ceiling heights, wet areas, and the like - but there has to be a way to make this work... I have read that 4 bedroom apartments should be 102m2 or bigger. I am willing to make compromises where possible but I really want to create that extra separate room "Multi-purpose room" which can double as a study/work area/kids play area/media room/ad-hoc sleeping accommodation". Paul Di Stefano: I don't think these changes essentially equate to 'rearranging a sock drawer' - this is my PPOR so I am not too concerned what other buyers want or resale value if I plan to hold the property for 10-20 years +... (any trends we design for now may well be outdated by then anyway). Many buyers highly value indoor-outdoor integration. By moving the kitchen to centre, it opens up the rear and creates indoor living->outdoor living link. If I get IKEA flatpack kitchen and DIY as much as possible - have a friend reroute the water/drainage/+his licenced electrical friend...hopefully this work would cost sub-$20k. Adding the sliding door to rear is $2.5k. Ensuite, bathroom and laundry I believe I can fitout for $10-15k all up- let's say 15k (again, tiling, raise flooring, showers/fixtures/flat pack laudnry cabinetry install all done in-house without tradies). The only thing I really need professionals for is to move the gas line in kitchen, BIR installs, stone benchtop, and maybe a few adhoc wall demo/construction/doorway moving - lets call that 10k. All up ballpark that is 47.5k? Sirius- If I go with your style plan then I lose the potential 4th bed space and have no where for relatives to stay, babysitter, nanny; etc :( Maybe it is a possibility that the main living space be used for lounge room and kitchen, we can always put dining table in the Multi-purpose room, then when that room is needed for sleeping accommodation, the dining table be moved to the side and kids can eat dinner on island bench bar; lounge or outside table... ? those doors to each side of the fireplace as you suggest - this space is very cramped outside (2.45m width) and potentially would be used to store trailer or garden shed, there is an old terrace built on zero-boundary there and they have a DA to go 2 storeys; which will shadow the whole area. This is why I planned to make the rear south corner a raised deck and try to channel house activity leading out the existing glass french door to that deck, or the rear sliding door. See photo-(my house is on the left, terrace zero boundary on right, and front on is a wooden dividing fence which on the opposite side is the driveway/1 car park and front street.