Thanks all...and justgotabeme, I hope you got yours straightened up! :-) I ran out and bought a new rug, my "reward" (and something I've wanted for ages because the floor down there is so cold!). Here are my "after" photos: And closed up for the night: Now, to answer questions/comments: The drain for the basement is right under the sink, so no storage there. And since I was actually *down there* while the washer was running today, I noticed that the drain is blocked...it drains, but slowly, so we actually get water all over underneath the sink on the extra-large load I was doing! Since I normally just start a load and head back upstairs to make dinner, I never knew that until now. So I'll have to get some drain cleaner, and hope that works, since the metal drain cover is cemented in. There are a couple changes to the infrustructure that I'd like, and will mention to my hubby since he likes to be "helpful" by putting stuff up for me (I have to remind myself not to just do it all myself!). ;-) I'd like a shelf behind and just above the dryer where I could put the laundry soap jug, so the spout sits over closer to the washer (can't put it over the washer, since I wouldn't be able to open the lid then). And I'd like a towel rack to hang on the wall to the left of the sink for towels and a washcloth (for wiping down the washer/dryer). I'm going to use a tub to wash my bras down there (instead of in the bathroom, but the sink is kind of "painty" from hubby washing brushes out, and the sides aren't smooth anymore), and I'll need a towel to dry my hands on, and the tub after I'm done. The rod is great, actually. The reason there were clothes still down there is because hubby used to shower down there, and did his own laundry, so it was easier to leave them there for dressing in the morning. Now the basment shower leaks (haven't had the $$ to fix it - that bathroom actually needs lots of plumbing work), so we share the upstairs bathroom (and I do all the laundry now - it's just easier for me to make sure it gets "all the way done" that way). But his closet upstairs was completely full, so no room to move those clothes up! When he cleaned out his closet, that eliminated the problem - I always hang the clothes as they come out of the dryer, and then take them upstairs with me right away (and put them away immediately). I have that ironing board you can see to the side of the dryer (it was around the corner in the first pics). I don't iron though, and neither does my husband, so it's mostly for "decoration". *laughs* I give 'em a good "snap" when I take them out of the dryer (pretty much right away), and call it good. Stuff that needs to hang dry (like that pullover, which I moved to the other side for the second picture, and my bras) will just hang on hangers over the sink. I plan to keep empty hangers over the washer (since the top lifts up, so clothes would be in the way), and hang clothes over the dryer as they come out (before I couldn't reach over the dryer for all the "stuff" on the floor in my way, so I fought with clothes and the washer lid). As for hangers, I have all satin padded hangers coming for *my* clothes - even some with clips for my dress pants/skirts (should be here any day). My "treat" for cleaning my closet out. I'm going to buy hubby all wooden hangers for his closet, since that's what he prefers, so we'll have two types, but nice looking ones, anyways. We've both just been using the hangers we've had since we lived at home, so it's about time we got new ones! All the plastic mixed with wire drives me nuts, both downstairs and in the closet. A good day's work, to be sure, and it will be so much nicer to do my "daily load of laundry" now (a recent, and very helpful habit). :-)

;) The "base cabinet" on the plans isn't set in stone. Really the only things unmovable at this point are the washer/dryer and electric panel behind the exterior door (on the same wall as pocket door). I'm leaning towards cabinets above w/d, a handing rod with bench below, and a broom/vacuum closet next to it with shelves or cabinet above. Maybe a retractable drying rack above the bench? What do you think's a comfortable width for the bench? 18" doesn't seem wide enough--though only one person will sit at a time.

Both powder rooms and laundry rooms add a ton of value to a home. I suggest you talk to a local realtor and see how these changes would impact your home value. My guess is that losing a bathroom will hurt your value, even in exchange for a laundry room so I would try to at least keep it as a powder room. But ask someone in your local real estate market to see.

We live on an acreage in a housing development way outside of the city. Most of the acreages in the 'hood are wooded. We've had copperheads. Hubby has killed 2. Our area is known to have rattlesnakes too, but thank God, we haven't encountered any. Neighbors have reported seeing Copperheads as well as eliminating them. There are too many children and pets in our neighborhood that could be at risk. When my nephew was only 3 or 4 he was bitten by a pretty large copperhead. It was on the porch and he'd reached down between the flower pots to retrieve a ball. Bit him on the hand, and he spent 4 days in ICU and another week in the hospital. His Dad was there and realized what bit him. Thankfully, the hospital had the antivenom. We do not kill the non-poisonous snakes. I will encourage them with a shovel to move along. I've scooped one up (with the shovel) and carried it off, rather hurriedly. across the road where no one lives. If I have to turn off the water sprinklers after dark, I carry a flashlight & a hoe with me to the hydrant. I will NOT walk across the yard after dark w/out them. For anything. I'm sure there are a gazillion snakes between the house & the hydrant just waiting for me to step on them. LOL