With four bedrooms, ensuites and two or more lounges becoming closer to the norm, the average home is today considerably larger than 20 or 30 years ago. 

Building costs have also increased encouraging architects and designers to deliver as much useable living space as possible. One of the first savings made has been to eliminate the laundry/utility room. Rather than relegated to a corner of an internal access garage, increasingly the washing machine, clothes dryer and tub are being incorporated into the kitchen.