I think paneled doors can look pretty nice -

FWIW laundry habits can be very personal - I love having my laundry in basement as I used to have many loads of laundry when my sons were at home and I liked having plenty of space to separate darks and lights with baskets etc and not be in the living space - now my sons are launched and I hang dry most of my clothes - still like having it in the basement so I don't have to look at all of that. Someone else might really like the convenience of having it on the main floor - and I do see the appeal of that for sure :)

Those are definitely better. Ours is in the basement now and I am fine with it - like you said, a lot more space!! And we're not elderly but I do think the main floor would be great for resale value, even though it's not a laundry ROOM....there's just enough space for w/d and some cabinets and rod above.

any kind of door, anything is better than carrying laundry up and down steps.

It will be closed most often, only you see inside.

I have owned three homes over the years and have had the laundry machines in the basement, the first floor and the second floor. They're on the first floor now. While it's very convenient, the noise is hard to ignore on the first floor, so think about how you might feel about that. My machines are pretty new, so it's not like they're old ones grinding away. One option might be to plumb this closet for the W/D and not move them out of the basement until you really want them out of there. Then you (and whomever owns the house next) have the flexibility to have them in either location. No stairs is certainly a plus though, as Lyn said. My favorite location was when they were on the second floor with the bedrooms. But if you don't have a second floor, then that's not an option. Be aware that dryers need ventilation. You can't have them completely enclosed while they're running. See the dryer manual for exact specifications.

It can be so convenient to have laundry facilities on the main floor.
If you ever watch the British show"Escape to the country" you will notice how often large and even poshly outfitted kitchens incorporate a washer and dryer.Do examine those possibilities.
You may find a configuration that appeals to you.
We live in a one storey house that has a stuffed full basement.
Our double concrete sink with washer and dryer alongside are in the utility room situated between kitchen and back deck.
Have a long 40 foot clothesline stretching from deck to a large pine tree in back yard.Nothing beats the heavenly fresh aroma of line dried linens.

@kandrewspa that is my concern - the noise of the machines!

I moved my laundry up from the basement over a dozen years ago and have no regrets, It is a stackable behind louvred doors. Yes there is some noise when the machines are running but like other noises you block them out.

I moved to a one-story house with the laundry on the main floor. I love it. However, over the twenty or so years that we've lived here I have lost my ability to run up and down stairs and am using PT to get me strength and appropriate muscles back. So, move the laundry if you like, but do go up and down to the basement often...

I have laundry room next to my den on a first floor and was concerned about noise but have ZERO noise when the door is closed. I invested in a solid wood door. It fits well and blocks out all sound from my LG washtower. You cannot tell the difference from when it is running to when it is not. Custom door, $700. Less expensive than I was expecting.

On Escape to the Country and the other British shows, the washing machines were on the kitchens because that’s where the plumbing is in older houses, and it has become normalized. Some newer homes or remodels have an actual laundry room/utility room.

Our 1960 house has a first floor laundry, and the noise is minimal especially when the door is closed. But I can hear when they are done or listen for a cycle change! The only thing I don’t care much for is laundry being traipsed back and forth right through the kitchen. No big deal, I guess. Only when I think about it.