Why not conceal them behind a false cabinet front? The dryer could actually be built into a cabinet with a counter on top and a bi-fold door in front. The top-loading washer might be a little trickier but you could have a special counter made that is on a pneumatic hinge that lifts up(sort of like a toy chest lid) when you need to do laundry but otherwise acts as a countertop. I suppose if you're only concerned with parties and such, you could build a cabinet surround for the washer with brackets on the top to place a removeable "counter" when you have guests over but otherwise store it off to the side. This might get in the way less than a counter that you have to lift up each time you want to load the washer. Have you thought of switching to a front-load washer which could then be concealed easily in a cabinet like the dryer? I've been in a kitchen where I didn't even know there was a washer and dryer because they were built into the cabinets- but they were both front-loading. The other option- can you put up sliding or bifold doors to closet the whole thing in? Or else!! get one of those hospital curtain type tracks and hang a lovely curtain across the whole thing. This way you can simply slide it off to the side when you want to do laundry but could otherwise select a very pretty curtain to hide it away. Amy Fremont, CA

Thanks for your suggestion but I do not want a second dedicated switch for a fan. And no, I'm not making this waaaaaaaay too complicated. You guys are making this complicated by trying to get me to not use a motion activated timer. That's the non-complicated way. I don't have any special issues and my friends don't really stink. If you don't care about this stuff for YOUR bathrooms then there is no reason for you to judge ME for wanting to do it in the best way. Even if you don't think I need to do all this, I didn't come here asking if I SHOULD do it, I am asking for HOW to best accomplish my objective. The problem is that product I want doesn't seem to exist. 50 CFM with sufficient volume and a way to keep the fan running for a few minutes after the visitor departs. Motion activation seems to be the way to accomplish this. Seems like I can get fans with two of the three features in various combinations but not all three in one. I want my bathroom visitors to turn on the light and I want the fan to work automatically, not on a separate second switch. Based on my research the solution is to buy a 50 CFM fan that is sufficiently loud then take care of the fan activation with a motion sensor. Not complicated. So again... 1) Can someone give me some advice as to how many sones I should get? I'm 80% sure it should be 3 or 4, but 4 is twice as loud as 3 so some guidance on this would be helpful. This is my most pressing question right now. 2) I've identified a Broan and an Air King that meet the criteria for the fan. I'd like to know if anyone has experience with these brands and are they reliable? 3) As an alternative, I can get an 80 CFM fan that has everything in one unit but from what I've read I'm pretty sure 80 CFM is way too strong for that size powder room. Anyone think 80 CFM would be OK in a room that small? I don't think that's so complicated. There is a fourth question I'd love to know about which IS more complicated but you guys brought that into the fold. 4) Is there a way to get the fan to come on with the light switch but stay on for several minutes after the light switch is turned off? I do not want second dedicated fan switch/dial/etc. On a side note, an occupancy sensor should not be finicky here. It's a tiny room with one way in/out. I think it would be hard to put a motion sensor in this space that would fail to accurately detect an occupant. Thanks guys.

Since people are continuing to post on this thread instead of the one on Kitchens, I'll re-post my comments here... Where will you be bringing the groceries into the house? How do these rooms relate to the rest of the floor and house? In general, separate rooms are better - for a more practical reason. Pantries should be cool, dry, and dark. Laundry Rooms are none of those! In particular, it is not a good idea to mix heat and moisture with your pantry items - at least not if you want them to last! Aesthetically, I would not want someone who needed to go into my pantry to also see my dirty laundry (or even clean laundry)! And yes, it would be an issue for me if I was considering buying your house. . Are you also redoing the Kitchen? If so, I suggest posting the entire Kitchen as well. [on the Kitchens Forum, not here] How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include .

Do you have an elevation drawing of that stairwell in the living area? Seems the space under the stair landings could be better incorporated in your effort to locate the powder room, or at least the hot water, accessing from the closet by the entry and moving the sloset to the living room side. On another subject, am I mis-reading or are there bi-fold doors by the tub in the main bath? Looks like there are windows in the WIC. I would rather have windows in the bath and walk through the closet to get there than have to walk through the bath to retrieve clothing; not convenient if there is someone using the bath. That pantry at the foot of the stairs looks like a good spot for a stacking WD. I'd want it configured to vent out an exterior wall, using pullout pantries in the kitchen so that space could be the laundry. But first I'd move that big bath's footprint to the deck end of the space so the closet could be in the master.