Laying an inexpensive ceramic tile is the first thing that comes to mind. a large format tile in thinset mortar will last a lifetime.

Are poured resin floors common in the US? They are gaining popularity over here. I have not done one yet but could be an alternative solution

I agree that for your application, ceramic tile is probably the most cost effective, appealing alternative.

You could get creative with concrete too (colored concrete, stamped concrete, etc.).

For a fun, bright space you could lay down black and white tiles alternating for a checkered pattern and paint a fun apple green on the walls.

I put vinyl tile down in my utility room, when I decided to relocate the laundry there as well.

A sheet vinyl remnant at the local Big Box may cost less than $50. Easy to install, easy to clean, easy on feet. Vinyl tiles work well, too.
Do you have photos?

Anyone have a suggestion for white paint that will maximize the light in a semi-finished utility room/laundry, and be easier to keep clean? BM used to have a high gloss ultra bright white; haven't looked to see if it still exists or not.

Maybe a new light fixture? Too often Florescent lighting was used in basement areas.

Judy .. if that "light fixture" comment was directed at me, the situation is that it's an exposed ceiling with fluorescents, and I'm fine with that look because it makes the piping & wiring accessible. I remember using that BM white paint in kitchens & closet interiors in my other homes, at the reflectivensss made it much lighter .. bet the darn stuff costs $60+/gallon now!

ASV, I've not heard of the poured resin floor idea...so we are probably not going to get it inexpensive. I agree that peel and stick vinyl tile are an option for inexpensive...I just don't think they will last as long or give the same ROI as a similarly priced ceramic tile. Labor for tile is more expensive, yes, but still in the realm of DIY.

Thanks for the feedback Dave - interesting to see what is available in different markets, I always think N. America has everything ahead of us!

@ASV, if you are referring to epoxy floor coverings when you say resin, then yes they have been available in the states for many years. Not a DIY project to get a quality finish but can be relatively cost effective depending on existing surface needed prep and final finish desired. Anywhere from $3-$6 /s.f. on up. Fairly equal in price to tiling or staining.

aha! (translation resine = expoxy) thanks Twisted. I need a dictionary. It was hard enough learning the terms in French and then I got caught between the English and French!

Thank you all for your ideas! We are leaning toward a good quality vinyl tile. Due to the furnace and water tank, it will be easier and less expensive to install.

We have a project house now where the previous owner put down cheap white 12x12 ceramic tile throughout the entire basement. It is a very practical flooring; looks good, easy to clean and surprisingly forgiving of the DIY installation issues. Given that you can buy cheap ceramic tile for 60 cent/sq ft or so, I would put that down before going to cheap vinyl tile.

Higher quality vinyl or sheet goods would work, if you found them at a good deal.

@Linda - 2 years ago, I had my convention hot water heater replaced with a wall-mounted tankless heater. I bet it cost less to replace the 6 or so vinyl tiles cut out to fit around the old water heater, than it would have been to replace the flooring, had it been ceramic tile.

astraea - in either case, one would expect to have the needed materials at hand from the original installation, but certainly vinyl tile is faster to install than ceramic but neither is particuarly difficult - especially for basement areas

In our case, we have several extra tiles and we'll use a few of them to cover a couple spots in the DIY install where the tiles have cracked due to problems in the original basement floor.

We always leave a few extra square feet of tile on a job...color lot matches, and repairs are easier...usually up to 10 square feet on any given job.

Agree with Ironwood, leave at least what is left from an open box, maybe a full one also depending on job if future plans may call for match, i.e. removing a floor based appliance or cabinet reconfiguration.

We had that kind of flooring put on our concrete slab enclosed patio 25 years ago. Loved it! Easy to clean, seamless, and could have chips added to it for texture. It looked new up until we sold the house a few years later and it had a lot of foot traffic, as we practically lived out there during the summer.. Can't find anyone here who does it now.

What area of country are you in? In the northern Midwest, we have humidity issues in summer, and cold in winter so the stick down tiles may not work well... be sure to talk with the flooring stores about installation. I've seen homes where the moisture in concrete basement floors make the vinyl tiles pop up. Since this is unfinished area for the most part, I'd suggest the epoxy or simular floor, painted floor, durable and then and indoor/ outdoor rug... there are several that are wonderful and easy to clean. I used a pale yellow in my unfinished basement laundry, to add some sunshine to the windowless room.