bump - any thoughts? This is a new build - I don't think the bath is very efficient - too many doors. I am at a loss at how to reconfigure it. Musts: 2 36" vanities, 3x5 shower, linen closet, closet that is able to hold hanging + drawers (no dresser in bedroom) - access to laundry room from master bath or closet. We do not need a separate WC. Thank you.

Read all you can on the different searches on the laundry forum. Frequent sets that come up that people are very happy with are Speed Queen and Miele. There may be others. Speed Queen is heavy and well made. Old school so not a lot of bells and whistles, but people love that too. Miele is very well built and heavy. They are not the mega machines that are out there. I have a set and am hoping that I get years of service out of them. Both SQ and Miele are supposed to be long lived. Don't get an LG top loading HE unit. I don't know if they still make them. Some of these units have fallen apart while in the spin cycle. Then they made a recall and changed the program on the spin cycle. That was apparently all they did to this defective machine. Now they spin very slow and people have been very unhappy. LG also recommended not to put in some articles of clothing such as rain wear. The only issues with Miele that I am aware of is price, and that the size might not accommodate all bedding sizes. I have a queen bed and am fine with the sheets and pillow covers. A queen comforter should fit but I haven't tried that yet. I am not sure if it will take a King comforter. Do a search on that topic in the forum and you may come up with some helpful information. Something else to consider that is important. Miele, and I am sure others do as well, recommends that front loaders be placed next to a load bearing wall. And in a corner if I remember correctly. This is so you don't have the very high speeds of the machine effecting the joists. You don't want them setting in the middle of the joist system because it will bounce more, like a trampoline. If it goes on cement then perfect. So in your search for machines see the installation instructions they have, to determine placement recommendations. Here is my stack installed, room very small so hard to get and all inclusive shot:

I totally agree with cpartist. You are really limiting yourself by staying in the footprint you made for yourself. Considering the investment you will make in the addition, I would want to do everything I could to make this room and possibly the laundry room/office work. I would also think about landscaping. Maybe your bedroom doesnt look to the patio because you move it to the back of the house, but you have succulents and cacti planted in front of the bedroom windows for a beautiful view. I'd start over with a fresh piece of paper and think about every option. I say this because I am doing a master suite addition to my house. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted. The people on this board also really helped me and I hired an architect. We came up with a great plan and will be starting this week on the project.

Depending on the layout of the rest of the space I may use some of the mudroom for master space, could move the entrance to the master from the mudroom to the family room - there are a 1000 different ways to do this and if you are taking everything out, this is the time to make sure you have everything the way you need it to work for your family.