We are looking at two versions of plans that we would like to finalize this week. However, the sticking point is two variations. I've posted the initial version of the plan here last week but much of the plan has now changed. Here are the two possibilities (both will allow hallway access to the three rooms to the left of the home:

1: wider garage with access door (to right of the door when driving in). This will allow an extra 4 ft pathway to the entry into the home.The laundry room will be in its own space but it will also be close enough to be used as mudroom type space (though we really do not need mudroom in our home)

2.A seperate door entry that will lead into a laundry mudroom with another door leading into the hallway. In other words the laundry room will be similar to this: http://stagetecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/laundry_mudroom2.jpg

It will be limited to 3 ft depth for washer/drier and counters with sink and approx 10-12 ft length as well as 4-5 ft of walk through space (total 7-8 ft wide and 10-12 ft long)

In the attached floor plan image (below) picture the side entry hall widened and turned into a mudroom/laundry. The other version would be eliminating the hallway and widening the garage to allow for the same access. The cost for keeping it a seperate hallway (approx 60-70 sq ft) was not reasonable considering it is just more hall space (when compared to adding "garage space").

The entry will almost always be used by the family and will not be a guest entry although our kids friends may use it when arriving with my kids. Thanks for any advice and suggestions

Here is a link that might be useful: