Thanks, everyone! This is SO helpful! So, for using the baskets" ours is more of a "laundry traffic management" system. We each have our own (they are actually Bungalow Scout Junque Trunques - pretty huge!) - so Mom, Dad, Daughter #1 and Daughter #2 each have their own spot for laundry. We don't actively keep dirties there or sort with them, everyone keeps their dirty laundry in a hamper in their room and then it comes down to get done. Then when dry, it goes in their own basket, they take their basket to put the laundry away and the basket comes back to the laundry room home base. That's why the kind that sits in a pull-out drawer, or even the rolling wouldn't be as ideal (we have a three-story house so the laundry is traveling all over. rococogurl, can you send me a link or take pic of those baskets though? I'd love to see what those look like - and it certainly saves me on base cabinets since I don't have those?!) That SAID, I am now thinking that since Ikea has those handy cabinets with pull outs that are pretty reasonable, maybe I'll build in two of those for towels and sheets? A big hamper for those would be fabulous and they never fit in our "personal" baskets. Knowing that, what do you think in terms of where the baskets live? That's sort of why I'm focused on the folding, packing in basket, and returning, process. In terms of using a sink, we've had laundry upstairs for 12 years and the ONLY time I've soaked something is when my husband washed whites with a red sock and i was trying to white vinegar out the pink. So, wouldn't say we are big "hand washing people." It's more to have the option - and to have a place to wash your hands which I do want b/c of sticky soap, lint, etc. So, in light of that, thoughts on the sink? The think about our corner is that unless I put a giant lazy susan, it is a dead corner because of the window, so it's sort of why I considered that option? The idea of it by the big utility cabinet is interesting too through (again, rococogurl - thx) - it leaves me the MOST countertop space in one swoop. And, the big utility cabinet is actually for the mop, swiffer, vacuum, etc so there could be some value to it being there? rococogurl, any chance you could take some photos of your laundry room (I won't judge - it's about function!) The washer and dryer are going to be on a platform and then on a pedastal - I just couldn't do that in the IKEA rendering. I'm 5' 11" and my hubby is 6' 2 and our daughters are already tall, so the higher the better! I'm ok not having counter there as a sacrifice for not breaking my back. The only thing that occurred to me after is that I could have run a counter along the wall to the LEFT of the washer - that would have been handy, even if it was just width of a basket b/c I could have set something there and it's sort of dead space now. Hmmmm... I think the plumbing is already in though for the washer, does it need to be right behind it? mydreamhome, if I go corner, what brand is that? it does look like a nice size? Last question to toss out there, I've been struggling wth what countertop material. My contractor has a slab of soapstone that is pretty and could be used for a really good good price. I know soapstone is soft but I guess what I"m thinking of is making it a very CLASSIC laundry room - white subway, simplicity? My house is a 1917 Colonial, so while having a laundry room on the 2nd floor like this is out of period, soapstone is not?! Even if it gets marked up and "loved" over the years? Thoughts? THANK YOU to all of you - I have no one here to help me. No designer and my contractor just executes. My husband has a mantra: "I care deeply but have no preference." So, I really appreciate your thoughts! Alexa

NEWS ALERT ---- We (DH and I) with the help of some dear friends (many of you, plus some IRL friends!) have decided to go ahead and do away with the FR door to the kitchen. We will make the remaining FR door wider. And I think that once the kitchen is finished, that walk to the FR will not seem very long once all the cabinets and counters are in place and taking up their own space. I would very much like to proceed with the details of our L-shaped kitchen!! Thank you all for your help and advice. I feel good about this - I think it will divide our home in a way where it will give it more usability. We had company this weekend and it was actually nice to think of a time when the grown-ups can have the kitchen and the kids can have the FR (or vice versa!) and that annoying traffic from all over the place will be more guided and predictable. In trade for the door, I will have a great kitchen space that will be just as much a coveted part of the home as the almighty FR! Sooo.... Shall I start a new thread when my new diagram is finished? I am going to need some help with the cabinet details. Thank you all so much. Having this decision made is a huge relief. And I'm not going back!!! I need to order these cabinets so I CAN'T go back! :)

Nadine -- I think the cabinets will look great. What about cabinets with doors below to hide the toys/games and open shelving above for books? I thought I would throw out a couple of other storage ideas from one cluttered toy mom to another BTW -- THANK YOU for posting the honest pictures of your room; it's so helpful to see that other peoples' houses also look like a toy factory exploded in the living room. :) Storage furniture that we have in our living room: coffee table with baskets that we use to sort and store various toys, including Mr. Potato Head + accessories, furniture and dollies from the Loving Family (Or something like that -- the dollhouse thing with the twins and multi-racial families) series; ABC blocks, small cars; Soft bowling set. Ikea pine coffee table Baskets that hide the toys so it looks like a nice pine coffee table instead: Ikea baskets This table is chipper chicken but it's a work horse. Looks nice and nothing kids try to do to it hurts it, and it holds a TON of toys. We only bought six baskets to fit in the table, but it could easily hold 12 (I always wanted to go back for more, but DH never got around to it). Cleans up easy peasy with dish soap or even soft scrub (for those bigger oops moments). We also went with a TV unit that includes two side units with storage doors and bookcases above, plus we had a separate console built for underneath the TV that holds more baskets of toys (it fits the same size baskets as fit in our ikea coffee table). Here's a picture for inspiration: I know entertainment centers are generally pretty $$$, but the reason I was showing mine is that it was actually an entertainment center for our old projection screen TV, which they don't make anymore -- plus a console we had a custom cabinet maker build for us to match. A lot of people are getting rid of their old 3 piece entertainment centers that were made for projection TVs -- you might be able to find something on Craigslist, ebay or a second hand store that is good condition for a low price, which you could then modify by adding a console (also fairly inexpensive through local custom cabinet shops). :) Notice in the picture the giant laundry basket full of balls and the smaller lined baskets with books and other toys. Baskets are KEY. I keep them sorted by type of toy so that it's easier for the kids to find what they're looking for. Those baskets came from Michael's and I only buy them when they're 50% off + the coupon. :-) I like these baskets because they're sturdy, but look really nice and the liner is totally washable. Here are the baskets from Michaels: So I don't have much to add for your fireplace, but there is a lot you can accomplish with some minor furniture redos.

Thanks for all the input so far! Palimpset - same as rhome410, the main reason for the mess is that the clean dishes haven't been put away, or the DW is running...there always seems to be at least 1 or 2 cups left out...I guess I should just wash them by hand and be done, but we don't:) I understand all of the arguments for the flat island, and will be doing some more reading on that, but DH argument is that the kids are only little for so long, then we'll have teenagers eating & hanging out in the kitchen...I'm hoping it'll get used for everyday breakfast/lunch on wknds. Dinner will be at the table! To the left of the fridge right now is a nice sized window, which will eventually be french doors to a deck. We thought about the U, but it does get too cramped cause that window cannot be moved (concrete wall construction - $$$ to move windows!). The room opens to dining area then family room (all one big space). Palimpset - I'm glad to hear you say keep the fridge where it's at - I'm really struggling with that cause it would make for a ton of space around the stove for prep, it also moves the fridge out of the triangle (I know, old concept, but it works for our little kitchen right now!) Anyone have a single level island and hate it/wished they had double? THANKS!