I would move the laundry sink between the doors and have the w/d against the master closet wall. I would use the opposite wall (12' long) for a tall cabinet behind the door swing and a long cabinet/counter run. You can put baskets under the counter or you could make a tall stack beside the tall cabinet. This would make a great folding area or gift wrap area. Sorry - just read that the sink and w/d can't be moved... I would still do a counter run beside the dryer and a tall cabinet between the doors. Depending on the height of your w/d, you can always do hanging over it if you wish. Best wishes!

3/4" plywood all around. You can do whatever joint you want on the corners, butt, miter, rabbet, tongue & dado, etc. Again, if I was doing it, I'd probably miter the corners and stick in some biscuits. If you don't have biscuit cutter, then maybe either a spline or simply an internal glue block. If I was more interested in getting it done than appearance, I would simply butt the sides together. You can also get iron-on veneer edging to cover the plywood edges.

MizLizzie - Funny that you say that about running hot water before the load - growing up, my mom trained me to do just that when getting ready to run the dishwasher. Didn't think about it for the washing machine though, maybe because I wouldn't normally have run my darks or unmentionables on hot. But I do now! It seems to be working! [happy dance] twebbz - I haven't thought about using Calgon because according to the city water report, our water is minimally hard. My last house had a whole house softener because I was on a well, and THAT was some soft water lol. MiMi - I will try pausing during the cycle and see what happens, but I have noticed that I really don't see much of any water when the machine does it's pause and tumble. I can see suds and I see water running down the sides of the drum, but I don't see the items sitting in water. I hope that's normal! Allison Karun - I do that, not every time but often. With everything I've read though, I might try a teensy bit of FS in the washing machine. I was a die-hard FS sheet user but cut that out while I was trying to source my issue. The vinegar just doesn't seem to give the clothes that same feel. littlegreeny - I have seen a 100% change - no more stink - since washing on hot or extra hot. I worry about the longevity of the fabrics a little, but I'd rather replace clothes than have my family stink when they walk out the door. Speaking of stink, DH just doesn't understand what I'm talking about. He doesn't smell it. I had him sniffing the laundry lol, and he just shook his head at me. But he didn't dare say a word about all the products I had spread out on the counter when he walked in the door because he knows this has been driving me crazy, and when mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. So...after reading through so many posts, this is my current arsenal (yes I may have gone a little crazy lol). Some things I want to have but need to order, like Lemi Shine powder booster and STPP. Please help me know which may be duds or what works best on what: Tide w/ Bleach powder (I really like the scent after drying - so light. Worked great on my sheets and whites.) Cheer powder (I'm waiting to see how the darks do with it, I like that there's basically no scent after drying.) Dreft powder (The scent after washing is really nice, not the cloying baby smell out of the box) Ariel Concentrado and Ariel Concentrado Colors liquids (I went to my local hispanic supermarket and asked about the Ariel. The clerk said the powders are not HE but the liquids I bought are. She said she uses the Colors one for everything in a front loader and it's low sudsing - it is but I do NOT like the spicy scent that is left after the dryer. It's light but I'm just not into it. Maybe for the kids' clothes!) Tide Ultra Stain Release Free liquid and Tide Free & Gentle liquid (tried these to see if it was scent from the Persil.) Persil ProClean Sensitive liquid (works great on my colored towels, was, using it for everything but I want to make sure I'm putting apples and apples together) Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean liquid (This is what I will likely go back to when my Persil is gone. I always liked it and it seemed to do a great job. I used the free and clear version but have read from some of you that the scented one has a great old fashioned but light scent.) Biz powder Borax powder A&H washing soda Thoughts/advice? And a huge THANK YOU to everyone for all of your input. I'm so grateful! I would never have figured this out on my own.

@ smu techi Man a lot of people design really closed in and dark laundry rooms. A window or five and a large open space with plenty of counter tops would be mandatory in our home. Go visit a laundromat or google "on premises laundry" to see ideas on how the pros design a laundry room. I would have put in a pocket door that slides inside the wall by the sink in the blueprint. Then there really is no door in the way since it would be inside the wall. I much prefer to stack washer and dryer when possible. It uses space much more efficiently. Leave room for several laundry cart on wheels (One for colors and one for whites). They make smaller ones that are just like the on-prem large ones. There would be copious amounts of metal bars about 6-7' off the ground to hang items on to dry or organize. Think about how traffic will flow in the laundry room. When moving laundry from dirty to washer, dryer, fold and stage to put away. If you have kids I STRONGLY suggest you have defined areas for specific kids clothes. Either by sex, age or name (depending how many you have). If you don't they will dig to find what they want. If all their stuff is in one spot then THEY have to put it away. Even a shelves that can accommodate laundry baskets will help. When stuff comes out of the dryer you just toss in the basket for the kid and they have to fold and put away. Not sure how much you do for them or if they have to do their own laundry. I would have lots of perimeter lighting. Remove all overhead cupboards. Only use floor mounted shelving. Leave a wall mounted shelf that is the right height to work at. Think stand up desk. Folding, sorting, etc. will be much easier. You can put the laundry cart on wheels underneath when your done to store them out of the way. We like to combine laundry room with mud room or right next to each other. That way dirty clothes don't travel through the house before they get to the laundry. Depending how large your family will grow I would plan for two washers and two dryers. You will be amazed how much this frees up your time. You don't need to buy them now, but I would put in the necessary electrical, plumbing and floor space. I will also have a floor drain in place to use either for commercial laundry equipment OR in case of flood. Just some ideas off the top of my head.