Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Based on these 2 pictures of the space and my poor attempt at a drawing, where do you think would be the best space for the bathroom? We were thinking at the top of the stairs so it did not break up the large open space in room and because it would allow the plumbing to be directly above the mud room washer/dryer and near to the main part of the house. Macv- does this make sense for keeping the water and waste lines short and close to the heated part of the house? The space will share a wall with the family room. Will it be strange to walk up the stairs and into a wall? We were thinking 3 feet for a landing at the top of the steps and then put the door on the longer wall allowing space for a piece of art or mirror as you enter the space? Thanks again for any help our layout suggestions.

Good morning, everyone! allison, The 1/2 bath might be considered a 'folly' down there! I do have a small area around it somewhat finished, but the rest of it will always be a spot to work on my many hobbies, like furniture refinishing, messy crafty stuff, you-name-it. I also have a doggie door in the opposite 'working' side of the cellar, that goes to a former garage under my office, which I made that into a wood working 'shop' years ago. Another doggie door in the shop takes them out to their fenced in area of the yard. The cellar and the shop are valuable real estate to me, just as they are. I do have 3 windows and a door with glass in that 'living' part of the cellar, as well as a wood stove, and an armoire with a TV it in. It's cozy in the winter with the stove, and cool in the summer and the couch down there is great for naps! These pics are of my former LR sofa down there and a 'reading' nook with big chair. Not much decorating has taken place yet! The door you see on the right in this pic is to the 1/2 bath. This is the reading nook which faces the wood stove. Being a dog lover, I got this original oil painting of a Springer from eBay for $21.49! His eyes are a perfect match to the Behr 'Cork' paint color. And this is Ikat fabric called Casbah, that I got at 1/2 price at Ballard Designs. I might make sill length panels for the 1/2 bath for fall and winter from it. The way it goes with that paisley wallpaper is the stuff that (my) dreams are made of. I'm happy to see so many paisley lovers here, as I have always been one, and I LOVE to mix patterns in a room, even a small one like this. I'm glad that others are inspired by my 're-cycled' bathroom! I'd never have done it if there hadn't been a rough one down there to start; but I just replaced that with one that even I'll use. No more storing tires and hoses in this one.

Salmon, Idaho...I don't know where that is but it sounds nice! The island could turn 90 degrees...but the fridge probably won't work on the other wall, if you have the door outside. I mean, you could make it fit, but the fridge will be blocking your view of the door..and a bit of the banquette. However, if you don't plan to have an under counter fridge, you might want to make the large fridge more accessible to everyone. What do you plan to have? Do you need a freezer? Would that be downstairs or in the mudroom? Do you want a big range or do you need a wall oven? I just drew a basic layout (popular right now) with fridge and range across from prep sink and clean up on the other wall. Make sure you know how you want to use the space and adjust the layout, accordingly :) Oh, and if you want stools on the opposite side, I believe an island should be 3 1/2' across...and most walkways are 3 1/2' to 4' depending on access to appliances, etc.

2 feet in the middle of the closet is a tight squeeze. A reach in with double rod hanging can be more efficient and hold more. 13x13 is a nice size for a master bedroom. The bedroom in my former home was that size and I found it to be very comfortable. I would suggest that you separate the windows on the wall opposite the door to make a natural place for the bed to sit. Otherwise, you'll end up putting the bed in front of the windows, which isn't ideal. In the 2nd bedroom, I would suggest putting the closet to the right of the door on the south wall. Then add a second window on the north wall, separate from each other for the bed. Feng shui says you get the best sleep if your head is opposite the door and your bed is against a solid wall.