Actually your problem is not a lack of a good design/layout skills, but the idea of saving money by sub-contracting yourselves. Bathrooms are tricky spaces to get right due to the level of detail required in a small space, the number of trades required (and the order), the regulations, the possibilities of mistakes costing you big money, and the time it takes for owner/builders to project manage a complex small build. Decisions made in the design and selections process will have repercussions in the build process. If you are not going to engage a builder to do the project management of the trades then I would suggest that you do lots of research that includes prices (and lead times), and make sure that the walls and four elevations are drawn up in detail at a 1:20 scale so that all of your trades understand exactly the what and where everything is going. If you are inexperienced renovators then best of luck with preserving your sanity and minimising your stress to save some money. Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Hi Siruskey (just found the thank you button) Nothing is in place - it is conversion of a small bedroom. The WC was placed where it is - and was partitioned off as you have drawn, in an earlier version... decided against it on natural light grounds. i like it tucked behind the door - the bathroom will be first room coming down the hallway from the front door. The link is exactly the type of bath I am thinking of I think i would try for something like 1500 x 750 size In the house design, there is a completely separate, attached to the house, outside loo / powder room, to be the go to loo for the garage band members /outdoor gatherings / during days working out in the garden and anyone seeking maximum privacy ! Keeping the shower behind the vanity - all tiles - no glass is appealing (not a fan of squeegeeing) 1200 seems deep enough? As long as 750 gap beween bath and shower is enough to move through easily enough. The bedroom in the old house has been lived in for 20 years and the bed has always been in the wrong place. The bulk head shown above where the two new small windows are, is where the old built in wardrobe will be removed. I have never been able to put the bed on this 4th wall - have tried it on all of the 3 other walls and it was always "wrong" - not sure if it was feng shui or not. The bulkhead is to manage the symmetry of the ceiling that has a deco ceiling rectangular panel. Partly my motive to take space from the bathroom for the BIR is to preserve the symmetry. I am trying out the 4th wall as location for bed, as the wardrobe is now storage with temporary curtains other than doors. It has the "right" feel about it. The ceiling panel is longer parallel to the window - so for a BIR taking off the "length" of the room feels better, than from the width, even though measurements are similar. What amazes me is how everything in design & planning process is connected to everything else... Fresh eyes from you (and oklouise) has been invaluable to sort out my head. .. and I appreciated your understanding of the J&J principle for the upstairs bathroom.. I think I will stick with it :)

Regarding ensuite, great idea to put a nib wall, or i could even put a 1.1m wall there and avoid the shower glass all together. Or may be put a nib wall between vanity and toilet?

Again, without dimensions, land size, location and construction data, it's hard to make helpful comments, Harman, but do you really need a dining room and family room as well as living room and rumpus? I think it might be worth considering oklouise's suggestion to convert the dining room to a laundry and pantry. Perhaps in doing so, you could rearrange the kitchen so that it has direct access to the patio (I think U-shape kitchens are somewhat dated and out of favour. I demolished mine despite it being quite new and in perfect condition, because I wanted free traffic flow from the kitchen to the outdoor living area. I hated being trapped behind the bar of the U while others were partying outside, and having to walk in circles to get from the sink or cooker to the party area.) The U shape, in your case, also means you walk in circles from the kitchen to dining room or family room. I'm not the design expert here. Oklouise, Kate and Siriuskey are among those holding that title! They made brilliant suggestions for rearranging my kitchen and I have ended up with a fabulous open-plan kitchen with servery to BBQ area on one side and direct access to the veranda on the other, plus a fantastic scullery and pantry (what used to be wasted space in a store room and hall) and a much larger and more workable laundry that is no longer a traffic thoroughfare. I really think you'd find it worthwhile to post a floor plan with dimensions; location, block size and orientation information, and some data about the construction (especially whether slab floor or timber with access under). You might be pleasantly surprised at the alternate layout suggestions some here would be able to offer. I'm sure you are aware that the kitchen is the focal point for home buyers. Nothing boosts a home's resale value more than a great kitchen - and these days most families seem to want a walk-in pantry, or at least a large dedicated pantry cupboard. So while converting the bathroom and laundry will boost value substantially, I would definitely consider what you might be able to do with the kitchen (subject to budget constraints of course) and think carefully about ensuring there is a functional laundry, conveniently located. Postscript: Check with council about development requirements. We discovered that a roof extension of less than 10 sq m is allowed in our area without approval - just signed off by a certifier. A laundry extension on the left side of the rumpus room might be easier than you think.