I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

Love all the wonderful comments above. The only thing I would add is: really consider what you want to use this room for... What do you want the room to do? Welcoming guests? If it is welcoming, then think about what makes you feel welcomed when you walk in - that ahhhh feeling.....maybe plants (a bonsai project would work well in that light), some family photos instead of a mirror, coat hanger behind door, buffet table (where you stand your G&T chrystal set on a nice sliver tray). Or is it a Staging ground for getting out the door? Then perhaps the mirror, some sort of rack for bags & hats etc, a bench for sitting and putting on shoes, cork board for reminders etc (it is possible to have these all behind a thin closet so closed doors hide any clutter). Whatever you choose, I just find it helpful to keep the rooms purpose in mind.

lol LouieT keeps him busy or else he's forever watching movies now that his daughter has shown him how to subscribe to Netflix lol

I enjoy the challenge of using space efficiently and owning what I need, not what I want. I've been clearing the excess items from my kitchen for a few years now and enjoying a more spacious feel without actually increasing the size. For the laundry I like the washer and dryer (Australian size) built-in under a long bench top so it looks neat and uncluttered. The bench provides plenty of area to fold washing and do other jobs. I love a large, deep tub for cleaning oven racks in and other big or awkward tasks. Plus a wall of storage cupboards and drawers. So a practical, well designed kitchen is a must but so is a laundry. For me they don't have to be big, just well thought out. I can't choose.