Inspiration Rooms: Laundry Room

I know laundry rooms aren't typically inspiring places. I mean really, what's inspiring about dirty clothes and Tide? But I think that with a little attention, even typically neglected spaces can be transformed in envious areas. My laundry room currently leaves much to be desired, but with some attention I think it could be a great place to do laundry and store some of our junk that we should throw away seasonal stuff.

I would love to transplant either of these two rooms into my basement laundry room.

~ From HGTV.com's Rate My Space ~


~ From HGTV.com's Rate My Space ~

But realistically, on my budget and timeline, I'll probably end up with something closer to this:

~ From HGTV.com's Rate My Space ~

I may still incorporate some of the ideas in the first two photos into my laundry room though. I think the hamper under the counter in the first photo is very cute, and I really dig the space for hanging clothes in the second photo. I like the idea of using baskets to help organize the area too and I have an idea for adding an area in my laundry room for folding and ironing too. Alas, the granite countertops and new cabinetry may be beyond me for now.

I'm not sure if a new washer and dryer will be in the works. Ours are old, but they function so that might have to wait. I would love some new energy efficient front loaders though so maybe I could swing that afterall.

So what do you think? Can a utilitarian laundry room be a source of design inspiration or are the time and money better served elsewhere?