@violann...our home is a 2 story with 2.5 baths. There are two full baths upstairs and a 1/2 bath down.
Coming in from our garage is a small entry way to the right is a door, behind the door is a laundry room that contains enough space for full size washer, dryer, sink and stool.....I keep the door closed to the 'laundry room' because opposite the entry way is my kitchen/family room, even tho the laundry is far enough away from the kitchen, I just prefer the door just slightly ajar.
I rarely use that bathroom and generally send people up stairs to a nice bath room but some guests just use the down stairs bathroom. I have made the room into a fairly nice space but still prefer guests go up, but not everyone wants to climb the stairs!
To answer your question unless you cannot get your washer/dryer in that room I would leave the bath fixtures intact, and since your home is a ranch, climbing stairs is not an issue.