That's a handsome ranch, from the outside! On the inside, it is lost in the 70's, and is "woody" to the extreme. Taking off paneling in many areas and using light colored drywall will freshen it up. Like your idea of painting cabinetry, but also put in a light colored backsplash and undercabinet LED lights. Finally, consider a couple skylights in the kitchen, which you can do whether the roof is stick framed or trussed. Natural light is free, and would work wonders in this kitchen, even without painting cabinets! Good luck.

Don't know why my picture won't open up. Sorry. But if you click on it, it will pop up in a separate screen. (computers, ugh!)

Another great tool for hallways or interior bathrooms and stairways is the tubular daylight device. Solatube makes nice ones, 10 or 14" diameter that put out so much light you think there's a 300 watt spotlight fixture on! In major rooms like the kitchen, skylights are a better option.

Love the idea of a kid's hangout in the "formal living area". I would pull up all that carpet (except in the bedrooms) and put down the same flooring throughout the whole house, whether that's the real wood look or the ceramic wood-look planks. Make the furniture in their hangout comfy and cozy (preferably leather for durability and cleaning ease) and for those times they are hooked up to the PlayStation or watching videos on TV. I'd do the walls in a neutral paint color (North Hamptom Beige #AC-38 Benjamin Moore) but add splashes of color with colorful framed posters. Shag is back, so I'd add a bright fun shag rug on the floor and lots of multi-color pillows and throws for the sofas, and they'll be set!

Before you paint the paneling...do you know what is behind it? You may find perfect walls.

When I got married, paneling, shag wall to wall, big prints of flowers on upholstery...well, that was heaven. (None of that formal mahogany stuff for us..Holy Cow! What were we thinking?)

I had paneling installed in my living room...just to be en vogue.

That was many many houses ago. Hope the present owners had better sense than I and removed it.

my home was exactly like yours in the same time period. paint the walls in white to create the idea of space and a breath of fresh air and install wooden floors in a honey color. If you already have wooden floors stain it in minwax natural 209 and cover with fast drying polyurethane clear gloss. Think of a white kitchen for example save money and repaint the cabinets in white with glass doors and install carrera tiled floors or the carrera tile looks since the real Carrera is pricey and paint the wall in white. you can use a light grey granite counter top or just cheaply install home make wooden counter top painted in white or polyurethane from minwax. The whole idea is to get the look without the extra cost and loans and upgrade one room at a time. painting the entire home in white can allow easy decor which may reflect a beach, country, summer, cottage or just a relaxing look. you can consider glass doors for all bathroom with light colored 18x18 floor tile and floating sinks to save space. De-Cluttered your home from furniture since less is best . decide which ones you absolutely need and purchase pottery barn slip covers mainly warm solid colors with wall artwork. I am not a professional but I must admit researching on the Houzz website has allowed me to gain fantastic home decor ideas. I love the stair case artwork on the wall from the main entry door check houzz and see for yourself. Keep windows without curtains to encourage natural light, try cornices. Remember be creative and keep cost down without financing anything unless your able to afford it.

When I was looking to buy my first home in the 70's, the term "sprawling Ranch" was used in a good many home descriptions....and it's true because of the vast amount of space available and storage!

Love your laundry room, too. Very spacious...large enough for two chest type freezers, an upright freezer, plus washer and dryer... goodness!! I'd paint all of that paneling and cabnetry, add open shelving above all on the left hand side and paint those in a contrasting pop of color, add a sleek flat panel Roman shade in a fun big, bold print on that window.

Or, depending on what is on the other side of that window wall, you could frame out a door to the outside, add a built-in bench with coat hooks and built-in shelving and cubby spaces (on the wall where the long chest freezer and upright freezer are) and use this as a combo laundry/mud room. and line the left-hand wall from the sink area all the way down to the washer/dryer with open shelving painted in that pop of color.

beautiful home

Billie Jo, that's an awesome idea.....love love the barn door look!! Functional and saves space!