I might go with glossy laminate panels.

Hard to say a lot without seeing the rest of your furniture, but ... I'd paint those doors rather than replace them. A cool colour and maybe some sort of graphic pattern on the bottom panels, and some bold modern handles.

Sorry, just had a thought. Is there any way the louvered portion of those doors can be removed and replaced with lightweight frosted plastic panels?

take out the slotted part of the doors and replace with plexi glass (maybe add some privacy film if you don't like to see the insides), put a light above washer and dryer for a nice ambient effect with doors closed, paint doors to suit decor.

I second the idea of replacing the portion of the doors if you have the tools.

Or if you dont mind a little more noise when the washer/dryer are running, you can take the doors totally off. Remove the hard ware, pop a curtain (or even shower) rod in, sew or purchase curtains in a modern color & pattern of choice, and hang them on the rod. Use the shower curtain rings that have little rollers on them to make it easy to open and shut the curtains too. this also allows you to change out the fabric if you change the decor or your mind later.

I second the plexi-glass solution for the inserts -- you could probably use mirror hooks to hold them in on the inside of the doors.

Once you paint the walls and doors, the floor tiles won't be so noticeable, and perhaps you won't feel so strongly about replacing them (ripping up floor tiles is a huge, messy, noisy, awful project).

I think i have those same, doors, if not extremely similar. Its not possible to remove the louvered parts, at least on mine. Or at least an easy way is not obvious.

Honestly I would start small. Give them a good cleaning, touch up their paint, or even just put a fresh coat on (same with the tiles, clean the grout and make them shine). Its amazing how much a difference just that can do. Then change out the knobs, add a small rug in front, maybe even paint the wall an accent color. That could all be done for under $100 and could make a huge difference. When you give these outdated features a little love and care its amazing how good they can look.

If you really wanted to go all out you could put a thin sheet of wood or metal or something over the louvered part as they are framed in trim about 1/4 of an inch deep (assuming they are like mine which they appear to be). Thats what i plan to do eventually with mine, and put a nice patterned paper or fabric over the board them, or just paint them a solid color, I haven't really decided. Mine are really out of the way so they aren't a high priority.

YOu can also get some pretty inexpensive sliding doors with frosted plexi in them at some of the bargain home supply stores. They usually come in white or wood (grain?) they are actually pretty nice and modern looking. We put them in our main entry way closet and it looks very streamlined. If you get the white you can paint them if you want more color. As for the tile, try clearance sections of big tile wholesalers and mix tiles with a common theme. You often cannot find a large lot of a single tile there but you can make some interesting patterns and designs from them. Good luck!

I would use Ikea sliding curtain panels. They have some awesome vivid colors and patterns or you can sew your own. Here's some good pics:

http://www.decorpad.com/photos/2008/08/12/0bee4fafa7ca.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2452909443_a588701f34.jpg

http://itsgreattobehome.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/dsc00865-1024x768.jpg

I would clean them well, repaint them the color of the wall and save the rest of the money for hardwoods or whatever is the end plan...

sliding barn door?? rustic modern? and add a graphic or brightly colored oriental rug? just some ideas...

You could remove the doors and replace them with a track that is mounted to the outside of the opening and extends along the wall, kind of like a barn door. The door you choose could almost anything, but I like the idea of having plexiglass with lighting inside the laundry closet. I also like the IKEA panel idea, you don't have to use their panels, you can use any fabric cut to the correct length and width. That might be more cost effective and changeable.

I would clean the tiles and regrout them with white grout- and seal the grout.

I like the idea of getting some thin wood and cutting it to fit the frame that holds the louvered panels. Cover it with some pretty fabric and nail it in place. Paint the doors, change the hardware.

I would not remove them and put in a curtain. That always looks like a temporary solution until you get proper doors. A step way backwards, IMO.

I also have doors like that in my bathroom and hate them because they were painted so poorly in the louvers and the paint pooled in some areas and didnt reach at all in others. Now I'm thinking I might just do the same thing with the wood panels...

I love mlhdrain's suggestion for the sliding curtain panels! You could easily add a modern rug or Flor "rug" in front:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10177885

http://www.flor.com/service/flor/shop/item/Regatta-Stripe/1011U02500-100921.html

You could also replace the tile with inexpensive vinyl or laminate flooring - its very easy to install and wouldn't require ripping out everything (since you can add transitions to other flooring types). I was admiring this flooring on the Ikea site today:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20137078

If the sliding curtain panels aren't an option, you could always replace the door with a vibrant set of curtain panels (or shower curtains!) with clean lines.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1627&f=38076

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3596618

teeze brings up a good point - it'll definitely look cheap if you mount curtains inside the door frame. If you have to go the curtain route (which is easy and affordable), you'd want to fully cover the entire door opening and framing to disguise it.

Thank you all for the great suggestions!

paint the slats in the doors to make some kind of edgy modern rainbow along these lines:

http://myloveforyou.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834cad15053ef012875651f4f970c-pi

I don't know abou the floors but my hubby and I bought these amazing sliding doors at Home Depot. They bybass each other so you don't have to worry about them sticking out in the room. The only negative is it is hard to switch clothes from washer to dryer. . . we usually have to hold them for the switch or lay the on the floor but it is worth it. The doors are beautiful. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xkw/R-100495422/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

ikea has some neat sliding closet doors in all kinds of colors & finishes.

also, for the floor, what about cork?

I like the doors.

You know, the louvered door is thousands of years old. It's classic. I wouldn't change them but I'd change the hardware. I had a client with a similar dislike of their louvered doors. I suggested a darker color for the walls and louvered doors to make them "disappear". It worked! Now, as for that floor, have you considered carpets laid around? Here's another thought and this is way out in outer space but I'm gutsy enough to do it: paint the floors. Again a dark complimentary color to go with the walls. Seal with an acrylic sealer, several coats. It might be a stunning temporary fix. Good luck and congrats on your new home!

I agree that a curtain looks temporary and would be noisier. I also think that sliding doors are less convenient than the doors you have. I am a visual person and need to be able to see everything--sliders hide. They also run off the track all the time.

I'm surprised there weren't more comments about how awesome these doors are. At least in the photos these are my dream closet doors! But then again it matches my Caribbean style to a T. I think they are fabulous and the idea that they would be replaced with some same ole same ole gives me the sads.

Don't replace the doors...My suggestion is to put wallpaper on them. You can pick a nice, retro and colourfull pattern that would look great. I did the same thing with a door in the my apartment, also in the kitchen area and it turned out pretty good... Good luck and we want to see the "after" picture:)

I have to go against the grain and say paint the doors in an eye catching color that fits your decor and do a graphic stencil (maybe spread/broken across the panels) in a lighter contrasting color - ie orange doors with white graphics.

Remove the doors and install cabinets above w/d for closed storage. Place a skirt across at the height of the w/d and set up the top of the w/d like a wet bar. It will add a serving surface to what I assume is your breakfast area and expand the size of the room.

I absolutely love the look of these Nuport doors from Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.ca/catalog/interior-doors/172007 One home decor show I saw, painted them out in a limey-green colour if you really want to go for a modern "punch". As for the floor, I second - changing out the grout for cleaner white. I would also try your neighbourhood tile outlet as you may be able to get enough tiles to pop out a pattern on your existing floor and adding in enough contrasting tiles to give a completely new look to your floor. If you go for a "carpet" look in the middle of the floor using a dark tile, grout that part of the floor in a matching dark grout.

Have fun!

p.s. I forgot to add, these NUporte doors can also be hinged, instead of on a sliding track, for greater access to the space.

barn door!

Wow--thanks so much for all the great suggestions. I really like the idea of Nuport door and laminate floors. I will keep you all posted with the "after" look! Vama

For the tiles, you can give them a face lift if you clean the tiles themselves and the grout. You can use white vinegar or baking soda and water to get your tiles looking new again! For your doors, I would paint the trim around them and any raised wood on the doors (ex. the vertical line down the center) a shade of white. Then do an accent color on the inset part of the doors and add fun handles. Don't forget a complimentary color on the walls! That would be a fairly easy, inexpensive, makeover...real bang for your buck!

We had doors like that in my apartment - they either stuck, or blocked the door to the room when open. Ick.

We replaced them with curtains. I'm a little bit seamstress and a little bit carpenter, so all in all, removing 2 sets of doors, putting up a curtain rod and making and installing 2 sets of new curtains was about a 2-3 hour project that cost us not more than $40. It added color and softness to the rooms, and we can change the color any time.