Congrats on the home! Enjoy! I would still suggest something above it. Might not be "counter" in the strict sense but the shelf space is always handy. After all you need a place to store your detergent, laundry baskets, other cleaners, etc. Depending on the location, I like a microwave up higher rather than counter height. I used to set mine on top of my 9cf upright freezer. Mine's in the basement so less important aesthetics I realize, but I like having the shelves right over the washer and I have a small plastic shelf unit between the washer & dryer for the detergent, bleach, vinegar, dishwasher detergent and the Oxi, Borax, Calgon, etc go on the shelf above it. Keeps everything condensed and more organized. I'm one who is not offended by actually seeing appliances in a home. They're part of the home, to me. Some think that some machines are very good looking. To me, an appliance is an appliance and is there to do a job, not be a showpiece. But each is different. You could still hang curtains, or make or get a folding screen to put in front of it and it would accent the area. Could even make sort of a closet out of it with doors to conceal it. Without seeing pictures, I can only guess and by no means do I claim to be an interior (nor exterior) designer, but things can hide, conceal or otherwise change the looks of things. You could put plants on them if you're into them. Also pay attention to any show with washers on them, you can get a lot of ideas from them. Especially home improvement shows and the like. Good luck in your new home. It's exciting to get your own place, isn't it?

As you have them, I prefer option 3 ,,, with option 1 coming in a very distant second and I would omit option 2 (that one doesn't work for me at all). I would definitely put in a counter top, regardless of the option. My issue with option 1 (and to a lesser extent 3), is the lack of space between the top of the counter and bottom of the upper cabinet. For me, a little more than 1 ft is not enough space for that area to be functional. I'd shift the cabinets higher (since you have 2 feet of unused space up above). At least, in option 3 you can set a laundry basket in the middle and have it be accessible. But even my smallest laundry basket wouldn't fit in the space between the upper cabinets and the w/d. Even if you don't use laundry baskets, I don't think there is enough space for that area to be functional for say piling a stack of clothes and folding them. Even if you air fold directly out of the dryer and just stack on the counter, 13" or 14" is not a lot of space. I would shift up the upper cabinets (and use a step stool to access them) as this would provide me with more counter area, but that's just me. I have a rod over my W/D too, but I don't use it. Because anything hanging on it would be in the way, as I also prefer to use the space over my W/D to fold. I use a valet bar on the wall opposite the W/D, so anything hanging is out of my way. A suggestion, it might sound silly, but you might want to use tape and cardboard boxes (or whatever) to mock up your proposed plan in your existing space to see if it'll work for you. Good luck!!

BenjesBride already drew out my suggestion -- thanks for that! Moving the washer/dryer to the hall seems to relieve a great deal of "busy-ness" in the small bathroom. However, going for all possibilities: With such a large pantry, why are you trying to fit these large machines into the small bathroom? They (and the water heater) could fit into the oversized pantry. I'd also consider a change with the water heater: Could you go with a point-of-use water heater, which requires less space in a small house? Or could you go with a "low boy" water heater /hidden under a shelf so that you could have some space up above for folding clothes? Finally, I understand that you're trying to have a door to the hallway AND your bedroom ... but in such a small space, the door swing is going to be problematic. I see two solutions: 1) make the door into your bedroom a pocket door. I usually would say something like, "Pockets are a bad choice for doors that're opened frequently", but since your goal is a hermit-like existence, I figure the door'll stay open most of the time anyway. 2) Go with a pocket door for your bedroom ... and place a hinged door in the hallway so that you have a small "hallway" that's part of the bedroom, and the bathroom door's in that small hallway. Yes, I think a closet is required for the room to officially be a bedroom.

Thank for your comments. I don't like the look of the tall backguard, it does not go with my design. I know, sad. Jan, I believe at this point customer support is not helpful here nor will they assume liability for any changes; these require engineering. I have already studied their manual, so has my plumber. It is up to us to construct the appropriate clearance reduction method if we don't want to use the high backguard. I have also consulted with the appropriate "authorities" (mechanical code and local building inspectors) and understand that my change CAN BE a safe option, but one most people do not know is necessary. AJ Madison is selling these ranges and telling folks that the island trim is safe with tile as the only "non combustible material." The 24" bases were only mentioned as simple way to modify the cabinet design to account for the increased depth of the distance from the edge of the stove to the wall. And yes it will mean that the bases will stick out farther than the uppers. As for "never having a problem", that is fantastic and probably typical, but it only takes one time. The building inspector says sometimes when they open up the walls behind a range, they actually see that over the years with the high BTU ranges installed without proper clearance, they will see heat damage to studs and to the drywall behind the tile upon demo. Repeated damage means that it takes less heat in the future to ignite those degraded materials. Fred S kinda got to that point in this thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/3578695/install-tile-or-range-hood-first I want the design that I envisioned, but I want my home to be safe, to myself, my dog, and my future buyers. Since I am in control of this ship (sorta kinda), I can get it done correctly with a little help from you folks. Thanks again. all the best for taking the time - andrea