We have only 2 1/2 acres, and 4 kids and a very small garden. I just put a drain directly in the laundry room floor. It's not something you would necessarily want to use every day, but if I need to hose down the whole "mud" room, I'll be able to do it. It sounds like you are on the right track, be sure you get your drain in now, because that will be hard to add later, you can work out the details as you go.

I wouldn't want my sewing area to be part of the laundry or the mudroom. I can't imagine that it would be all that enjoyable to spend time there. At least not for me. Once I get going on a project, I like to spread out. I also find I need lots of natural light to be comfortable when I'm working on a project. How much light would you really have? I think it would be easier to combine the mudroom and laundry area and then incorporate long term storage if you have extra room in that area. If you like to garden, it could also be space for a utility sink and grow lights or a potting area. I'd steal an extra bedroom and have my sewing area do double duty with a guest bedroom. I have a good sized laundry room and I'm always suprised when people ask why I didn't make the extra space into my sewing area. No one ever asks why I didn't stick the DH and his computer in there! Gloria

I'm worried about the water line going through the cinder block basement wall, being exposed to the exterior temperatures (ie. -20) and then running up into the porch through a hole in the floor (am I getting this right?). I would not do it this way. I would spend the money to run the water line through the INTERIOR of the home. As FAR AWAY from exterior temperatures as you can. You will need to GUT the inside of the porch down to the studs (even to the point where you see the dirt below your feet while balancing on the joists). You can then enclose the raised deck as much as possible and insulate it to R40 or more. You vapour barrier this thing to within an inch of it's life. Stuff every crevice with expanding foam insulation caulking. You then insulate the FLOOR of the porch. Get as much insulation into those joists as possible (someone's getting dirty). Fix ANY weak joists or any water damaged materials as you go (add 30% cost over run just for this...if you don't need it then you don't spend it...but be prepared for the absolute worst case scenario possible = lose the entire porch). Now you install backer board and heating mats on the floor (in-floor radiant heat mats) that are then covered in tile. You will also add a baseboard heater for the space. The two run on low will have no problem keeping the space above freezing...but don't expect a nice warm space to fold laundry. You will also change out windows to the highest level you can afford. The same with the exterior door (go as high-end as you can with as much weather proofing as possible). You will stuff the walls with as much insulation as you can get in there (or better yet you can use the spray on purple stuff used for moisture protection and insulation). You will stuff the ceiling with as much insulation as you can get in there (remember I said down to the studs...no drywall or ceiling left in place). Resurface your space and keep going. And all of this hangs on the one detail no one has asked: Is this porch allowed to be there in the first place? Did anyone (you or the previous owners) ever pull permits to allow this addition in the first place? If not, your project is moot. Best start with the city and see if that porch is allowed to be there. And then check to see if it was ever allowed to be 'enclosed' and then check to see if it is allowed to become a heated indoor living space.

A few updates and I will get some better pictures once i get everything moved out but i have the door into the bathroom cut in. I have been having trouble with Pella who we bought the door from which has put this on a 3 week hold so far as the issue still is not resolved. We are considering stacking the washer dryer. The location we were considering would be where the closest machine to the wall is. The plumbing in the wall was moved over to allow for the new door to the bath and I have some electrical lines that need installing for the new panel in the garage. Doing this while we have the walls open and since the electrical panels are below this. We have a few tiles we bought to see if we liked them but I am not sure i like any of them. I think if i were to pick it would be the darker 12x24. Any thoughts or opinions on tile, stacking of the machine or anything else here?