I think the design works well. Everything is set out with no waste of space. The only thought….I would extend family bathroom vanity to both sides. Flush with a nib shower wall and nib bath wall. Importantly though: where is north on the plan?

Similar to this for the family bathroom.

Can window 9 be made a highlight window and the shower use all that space? It seems a shame to have a squished shower in a new build. Think about a smaller door for the upstairs linen currently your shelving will be restricted and you’ll have a big wasted space in the middle. Downstairs - do some scale furniture placements in the living area, I suspect with the windows that you’ll find it hard to get adequate seating and a tv without blocking the sliding doors.

Dreamer- sorry I can’t seem to edit post to add details or reply individually to comments - don’t want to log out as can’t remember password! The kitchen/ living area is north facing and the block has a fall of 3metres from front to back (hence steps down into living area). Thank you for replying - you are so good at replying to people’s posts! We all really appreciate it! Yes, we have tried to waste no space in design. Yes, we did consider 2 sinks in upstairs bathroom , still on the fence😂

Big reader - 2 great pick ups thank you! You are right, linen shelves will really lack depth, will ask about door size👍. Yes, I was question need for window 9. Thinking could put in solar tube instead and good idea to make shower bigger - thanks!

Solar tube in master bath would be okay. But you still should have a window that opens for fresh air. You have potential for 6 people to be in the minor bedrooms, and use family bathroom. I would recommend double sinks.

Ensuite layout: Consider changing so toilet is where shower is as it's further away from the bedroom - not ideal toilet is positioned where the bedhead likely to back onto. consider whether separating the toilet with additional door is necessary as if it was positioned around where the shower is on the wall backing onto the powder room you could extend the vanity for a proper dual basin setup almost double the current length as it practically will struggle to fit two basins as it is shown with any decent benchtop leftover

Looks pretty good. As a must Add a door to ensuite for noise control - do you really want to hear teeth brushing hair dryer and shower. There will be times when one person wants to sleep . Personally I would flip the upstairs bath and toilet and have a solid wall to stair. Also move guest bed door to right. It makes the bathroom more private from the retreat space. Downstairs remove laundry door and wall separating it from mudroom and add a sliding door on entry hall. The door is just annoying

And consider flipping stairs so you can access the storage below stair from the side entry to powder room

Couple of last thoughts having recently moved into a double story house - consider a laundry shoot. And if the budget allows a small plumbed tea/coffee station with bar fridge would be handy. .

Paul Di Stefano design - your idea makes sense, but wouldn’t we need to loose window at front of house (where current upstairs ensuite toilet is) if had the shower located there? I understand concerns about noise of toilet and agree toilet would go well where current shower is ( with maybe a bib wall separating the toilet). Thanks for highlighting length of vanity .

Kate - thanks, like idea of slider for mud room/ laundry. My concern with flipping main bathroom and toilet upstairs is that we like idea of staircase upstairs being open ( not solid wall) . We have seen lots of show homes where solid wall on stairs as enter second storey and creates an enclosed feeling with hallways. Agree though that less privacy going to toilet with retreat opposite. It’s a compromise😬

Kate - so many show homes have no door onto master ensuite - I wanted a nice arch, but haven’t really consider practical aspects 🤔

Definitely a door on master ensuite. Privacy and noise control are important.

You could still have a arch with a door…

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@Sarah yes you'd likely lose the window to the front unless you worked out some form of high level window with appropriate waterproofing detail but a balance/cost for everything ....my advice is don't let aesthetics compromise function or primarily drive solutions, rather resolve function to the best it can be first and then address/apply aesthetic treatment. you likely won't be standing outside admiring your facade more than you'll be appreciating a better internal layout/experience on a day to day basis.....as per dreamer I'd be too definitely encouraging a door separating master and ensuite, you can also achieve arch look with a concealed slider integrated with the right detailing

Show homes are often don’t consider privacy. One near me has a lovely walkway upstairs liknking Bedrooms to bathroom and master suite with glass railing allowing overlooking the lounge. All I was thinking was that my guests would have full sight and sound show of kids moving across the space between bedrooms and bathroom as they get ready for bed. Architecturally looked lovely. My family would hate it in practice.

difficult to be specific without dimensions and there have already been so many excellent ideas but my suggestions include widening the opening between posts at the entry, adding doors to the living area and elsewhere to improve sound and temperature control. ensure there is enough space in the laundry for an underbench washer plus dryer and tub, add a sliding door to the laundry and/or the mudroom... subject to final size of stairs rearrange/resize the powder room and pantry and add access to the under stair space for extra storage from powder and pantry as well as from hallway, reduce width of kitchen island to ensure enough space for stools with walking space behind stools when occupied and push stacking glass doors closer to the corner...upstairs the master shower space will be subject to final size of stairs but adding a door will create a wetroom and restrict moisture in the bedroom and a centrally placed cavity sliding door between bedroom and ens will increase privacy and allow for better use of the alcove for extra storage or a study nook, there's only one entry door into master bedroom and rearranging minor bedrooms and family bathroom will add wasted space into the three equal sized bedrooms, there's a separate powder room and WIL

but, depending on how you want to use the linen room, there would be easier access for linen storage from the bathroom hallway and leftover space could be added to increase bedroom sizes

Paul - yes, thanks for thoughts on living space separation ( and my two are soon hitting the teens!). Will put slider on Living room ( gonna be our tv room) at front, especially as noise of tv👍 and look potentially at separating hall/ big living. I am very conscious of trying to zone an open plan, so the areas have some individuality. You appear a very thorough, thoughtful designer, thank you for your thoughts!

OkLouise - thank you, lots to think about with your plan changes. Like repositioning of linen cupboard to make rooms bigger. Lots of helpful things to ponder!

@Sarah no problem......yes there's a lot to think about, but when it comes down to it it's pretty straightforward in that if you make decisions and design from the position of how you live and the functions/activities and habits/dynamics of your family then it's hard to go too far wrong and likely going to achieve something that is well aligned in this regard and feel like it's fitting/working well for you and your personal preferences......it's not right or wrong, rather it's priorities and preferences but I'll always try to ensure flexiblity in terms of function and capacity for spaces to work in different ways so when you want everything to be fully open it's possible and equally then separate/close off when needed. With this it's important to think about door widths, positions and detail as it's in this stuff where it can make all the difference....you don;t want to have a door swinging back and in the way when mostly not in use. Also make sure you look at how you're going to position and scale furniture (assuming you have done so during earlier design stage??) as like with oklouise's plan this really shows how spaces will be used and the flow/movement through and within them - this will influence where windows and doors are positioned and scaled so suggest you spend some time double checking this before you finalise and sign off on your plans

good luck!

PD :)