Could you put the laundry behind doors so that you won't see it with the walk through...by the way...I am just over the water in OZ, know what you mean by costs... will get some pics....this would be my option...just going on what you are saying.... The good thing about this is that you can shut the laundry away except for when you are washing...... I would have the washer with the dryer next to it if you can and put a bench over the top of the both of them....for this it is worth getting a front loader if you haven't already got one.. this will avoid the bench on the other side...it can all be contained and done on the one side of the laundry. Don't go for sliding doors ...the glass look great but they will need a bottom track and if they don't have one...they will move a lot....not great for this even though they look great. As for having the bench over the top of the washer and dryer, you can then have overhead shelving, does not need to be cupboards as the bifolds will hide what is in there...double cost other wise. hope this helps...Robyn

Third vote for getting a professional involved, but i'll still offer my layman's suggestion given that you're just soliciting general ideas at this point. If it was my space, I'd switch the bathroom and the laundry room around, keeping just one of the walls currently enclosing the toilet. Its hard to estimate precise measurements from the drawing, so it may not be feasible, but here's what i mean

Maybe look beyond the footprint of existing bathroom. We renovated a bathroom where we were able to have a seperate large shower and keep the bath by incorporating a built in cupboard in a bedroom room adjacent to the bathroom. New Free standing storage in that room has resolved any issue with the loss of the built in.

This is a new small two story dwelling, however the main bathroom needs some better design. there is likely to be a young family living here so a bath & shower is important. The designer has taken some space from each bedroom either side. I would like to see a better layout, I had thought of removing the window & putting in a skylite. Any help would be appreciated.