I will start with an admission - I have read nothing of the comments. However I have helped a friend design a compact laundry. Here was how we did it. 1. Start with a list of everything - and I mean everything, include pegs, those little lint ball things for the washing machine, buckets, mops, vacuum, airers etc - that you want to store in the space. 2. Break that list into where you want to store it - drawers, wall, or cupboard - and then rewrite the list as cupboard, drawers, wall etc.As you are doing this, see if you can store those items elsewhere - we added a ceiling airer in the bathroom using pulleys. Also mark any item that a special storage gadget might help. We added to the back of one door (I think they were custom made 925mm and 2300mm high) a hanger for the vacuum hose, and in the cupboard a hanger that slides out for the brooms and mop. 3. Go measure the space you have, and be exact - if the measurement is 1457mm it is 1457mm. Also, see where you might "borrow" space from. We managed to add another 650mm deep, 750mm wide cupboard by swapping the two bedrooms around, and using space in the guest bedroom wardrobe. 4. Draw up a plan, and be really specific. If you think you need four drawers and a top mounted sink then plan that way. Whilst you are planning think over whether you want top spec and not hide it, or to hide it behind really nice doors. We used reasonable quality from Bunnings and modified because it was behind doors. Also, don't be afraid to "borrow" something from a different zone. In my laundry I used a round kitchen sink, because I didn't want a really deep laundry tub so I could use the room underneath. 5. Go and find a really good quality cupboard manufacturer or builder and ask them to look over your plan and ideas. They may tweak to assist, but remember you know your space and what you will be using it for better than anyone. In my friends case, she had a brother who assisted and made a super looking set of doors. As to resale value, that depends on who you want to buy it, but I have one piece of advice - don't go for the resale value, do it because that is what you want. In my friends case she turned her laundry into the bathroom, and then turned the oversized bathroom into a very natty study. Good Luck.

Hi Evee, How about something like this? It would give you a very roomy bathroom, with everything you'd need. You could, alternatively, put the toilet where the towel rail is, and put the towel rail behind the shower door, which would give you space for a storage unit behind the bathroom door; but stepping out of the shower to face the loo might not be very attractive! Also, anyone walking into the bathroom won't immediately see anyone on the loo, as it's behind the door. I know there could be a fair bit of plumbing reorganisation, but I think that, no matter what you do, that will be the case. I think it would be worth the investment for a really functional and beautiful bathroom, though. Oh, and don't forget to put in a couple of double power outlets at the vanity - there always seems to be too few in most people's bathrooms. I hope this helps.And I agree with OKLouise about shopping around for bargains and second hand or re-purposed units. New things seem to cost the earth these days, but you save heaps this way, and you can use your money for plumbing and electrical. Good luck! Would love to see a picture of the finished product.

I think you need to rework your plan a bit. A skylight in bedroom could be problematic in summer if you want to sleep in or go to bed early. However, I agree with council saying that the room needs light and air. Is it possible to put an opening in the patio roof?

We have had the same dilemma with lighter multi colour bricks. We used an interior designer to help.... We painted large sheets of cardboard with colour and put them against the brick... Bought sample pots of colours as cheaper than making big mistake... Monument was recommended against our Sandstone & red/brown fleck bricks... No blue in sight. Other idea is to match a colour in your brick to draw out that colour as per the neighbourhood photo - take a brick to paint store to match. We will use red in brick as feature colour on garden walls.