If you are that freaked out by mice and can afford it, hire an exterminator. If you can't afford it, set some humane traps. NOT A STICKY TRAP. The sticky traps are horrible. They severely torture the trapped mice, and also torture the human that put them out, via guilt. No matter how much you hate mice, if you have never seen a mouse or other creature on a sticky trap, believe me, you don't want to. They are stuck to the glue, and are absolutely frantic, trying to escape. They end up tearing their own skin off and breaking bones in the process, adding to the agony. They finally give up out of exhaustion, dehydration, and injury, and death comes slowly and painfully. I hate rodents, and certainly would FREAK if they were inside my house, but I would never subject any creature to a death like that. By humane traps, I mean one of two options: A snap trap that will kill them quickly, or a trap that will allow them to crawl inside but not be able to escape. Then you have to take them somewhere and release them. Probably not high on your list ;) An exterminator will do this for you. But again, there is a cost associated. The advice given about finding the spots where they are entering is very good. Mice can get inside via a hole as little as 1/2" wide. Here is a link that might be useful: Google: glue trap death

better to have the plumber check it out before buying, to be sure you'll have access to the piping, both draining and water feeds, also, vent access for the dryer and depending on type of dryer, gas or electric connections, to each his own, we looked at a house when we were in the market, one had converted a small bedroom to a laundry, it seemed pretty obvious, and was a turnoff to buying. Something to consider when selling down the road. I agree with you finding something that allows the laundry being on the first floor, its very nice.

enduring, thanks, you bring up a lot of good points. i noticed in my existing laundry room that the tiles are all loose. i had assumed it was just because it is old and in need of a refresh, but wonder now if this is an indication of a poorly located washer? i also see that the dryer vents out onto the roof (a lot of old lint here). i didn't know there were ventless dryers! i will have to read up on those. thank you! Jan, initially i didn't think I should do the laundry in the smaller bath since that bath is small as it is. but the exterior wall of that bath is on my deck, which would be much better to clean out the dryer vents that way. so your and hemina's suggestion of moving it to the other bath is warming up to me. i agree with you regarding the attic not being worth tapping into. Laura, thanks for those suggestions. I do think we need a second bath and do feel it will add value. i also am thinking about having the upstairs laundry be a secondary unit stowed away somewhere, and putting the main laundry in my mudroom, since it is closer to where I am most of the day. perhaps a laundry chute would be a fun and useful item to add. i need to work on the location and concept of how i do laundry a bit more, think through all of my home's issues too. thank you so much everyone. it has been such helpful feedback!

@Jack D - Yes, like that, but can you move the W/D to the opposite wall that it is currently on and reframe the doorway closer to the "new bedroom" (might need a pocket door to laundry) perhaps shrink the laundry room a foot or whatever you can get making a bit more room for the closet system? I don't like the open closet system as I prefer the ones with doors. As a designer and a realtor, even though the room is small, you still have the extra room. I've got 5 bedrooms in my home and one of them is only 10 x 10. I've got a twin bed in there as well as a dresser. It's my sister's favorite room to stay in when she visits. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/pax-wardrobe-white-bergsbo-white-s19127297/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkePyBRCEARIsAMy5ScuNAD-dsyPBUR5RMtwyJY550Nz6nsSDgCNi8biKdAOBwSi8dWbarqoaAr-8EALw_wcB