It doesn't really seem "dated" to me, just a style that's not the current gray-and-white trend. I'd change out all the light fixtures to a more transitional style (and maybe nickel), and obviously I wouldn't put any plants on top of the cabinets. Otherwise, it's not a matter of "updating" -- what is it you don't like? that's where I'd start. For example, where I live, tile would be too cold most of the year, so I'd want wood floors most places. But if this is in Florida or Arizona, then it would be great as is! I might prefer that the white cross-beams were stained or at least painted a darker color, but I can't imagine that would be high on my To Do list either. Maybe you should get to know the house before you start wrenching it around...

Just noticed that there's a mantel over the TV. I think I'd take that out and just have a TV in that space (or on the wall with the console) without pretending that it's another fireplace...

Modernizing on a budget screams accents! Whether a pop of color, artwork, accents pieces (i.e. a cool stool, statues, throw pillows) I copied a link with an idea. I hope this helps!

https://www.houzz.com/photos/cat-mountain-residence-traditional-living-room-austin-phvw-vp~713589

Agree with apple_pie_order. The stuff that is expensive/difficult to replace is fairly light and neutral. Your furnishings will look different in there. I would immediately change lighting (pendants, chandelier, ceiling fan), stain the mantel darker. You could paint but really not necessary. Down the road: Replace backsplash.

I love the layout, but don't like the color of the pine ceiling, or the countertops/backsplash, fireplace, or the tile floor. Unfortunately, none of these are little easy fixes. I'm having trouble imagining these countertops with a style I like. I don't have much vision myself, which is part of what I love about this advice board -- I can see through the vision of others. If anyone has more links with this style/color counter but different decorative style, I'd love to see it.

The island and the eating area next to it are redundant, so I would remove the island seating. Personally I would also remove the pendants, they look busy. The white struts in the cathedral ceiling are jarring, I would paint them dark gray for a more modern look. The tile looks dated, and if you want to stay with tile I would get a large format porcelain laminate (these are quite thin, a bit flexible, have tiny joints). I'd love to see vintage Danish modern pieces in the decluttered version of this room.

It would be helpful to know what your style is. There's a few directions you could go here - Danish Modern as suggested above, maybe industrial/transitional, maybe traditional, maybe rustic. Regardless I think you have quick and easy opportunities to head in a new direction here - new lighting for sure, new cabinet hardware, possibly some paint. But an understanding of your style would be great. Also is this your furniture? If not what is the style of what you will have in the space?

Also what is your budget?

I like a few styles, so I'm not sure how to concisely describe my preferences. I like the current white cabinet/gray walls/wood-look tile floor trend. The kitchen in our current home is espresso brown shaker cabinets with modern brushed chrome pulls, and stainless steel backsplash. Most of our furniture is espresso brown leather (mostly because we have a baby and a dog so this is easy to wipe down), or dark gray fabric.

Bringing in your furniture will help a lot. There seems to be a lot of yellow cast in the house. Not sure if it's paint colors, camera, or light bulbs. I would start by checking all the light bulbs in the recessed lighting and replacing them with cool LED bulbs-about 4000K to try to eradicate some of the yellow. I agree that changing out the dining fixture and the pendants over the island will help as well. You can probably do that for less than $200 if you shop well. Other than that, living in it a while as suggested will let you prioritize changes over time.

I think the yellow is what I dislike. I don't care for warm/golden tones. It feels slightly less yellow in person. I'm just not sure how a cooler toned wall color would look with these floors, the pine ceilings, and those golden countertops.

A cooler white or off white with blue undertones will neutralize the yellow. When I look at the 3rd photo you posted, the floor and walls in the right foreground don't appear anywhere near as yellow. The pendants have yellow glass in them which doesn't help at all. I'd be curious to see what it looks like in natural light without the lights on.

What about a wall color like this?: http://www.miserv.net/large/ahhualongganggou.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/kitchen-color-ideas-with-cream-cabinets-Pot-Racks-Featured-Categories-Drinkware-Pot-Racks-Compact-Refrigerators-Small-Appliances-Can-Openers-.jpg 

I'm not sure if it would be too much in such a big space.

That link didn't show up for me. I think the pine ceiling adds warmth and personality, but I agree that the beams need to be darkened - charcoal, ebony or espresso - all the way out to the exterior ones. What to do with the flooring depends on your location. I think the island bar is too narrow and at an uncomfortable height for a place to eat, and the stools block access to the storage below, so I'd eliminate them. New lighting is an easy fix, as is the suggestion to upgrade the lights to LEDs. They make a major difference and are long lasting. Do you have a rug on which to anchor your seating pieces? That will do a lot to warm the floors if you're leaving them as is for now. A year down the road, if you post again, you'll be more certain of what you like and what is feasible. Will your TV fit that corner cabinet or do you need to eliminate that and put it on the wall instead? I was hoping the fireplace would be double sided to be enjoyed from the dining room too. What is the exterior style of the home? Sometimes that is a cue you want to follow through with.

This is the front of the house. Not sure what this style is called. This is a home in Florida, so the tile floors are common.

As far as a rug, that odd shaped patch of carpet in the middle of the living room is built in and larger than a typical rug. I wasn't sure if we should add a rug over top of it, considering that it wouldn't fully cover the built in carpet piece.

You are kind of on your way to a British Colonial look already with light finishes mixed with dark wood.

I don't know enough about this style specifically to give you pointers but I'm sure someone else can.

I would start by painting the walls cream or ivory and not so yellow.

Well, I'd say that the style is a little bit Florida Bungalo Kitsch. You didn't ask about the exterior, but I would pull the traditional hedges and plants and opt for a full-on tropical landscape, changing the color of the house's body to a beautiful, rich pastel rather than the current muddy color. You have some cool architectural features, but the "baby poo" color is not the ideal backdrop for them.

Here is a fun, rich pastel that could work.

Always pretty in pink...

As for the interior issues, I'd pull that built-in rug. Fill in with tile and if you can't match the current color, just cover the fill with a new square or rectangular rug so it is hidden. Here is a pic of dark beams against pine ceiling. They're busier than yours but you get the idea.

Is it the kitchen you are wanting to change? If so you might want to look into changing the kitchen countertops. You stated you don't like the yellow/gold tones.

There is definitely a Tommy Bahama feel to the interior currently. I believe it's only had one owner previously, and from the style of the home to their decor choices, this was clearly their preference.

I would love to change the countertops. I think that and a change to the wall color to remove the warm tones would really open up the decor/style possibilities in the home. It's just that the countertops continue into the bathrooms, so we'd really need to change it everywhere, and I'm concerned that doing that and the painting (and a couple of furniture changes we'll need to make since our current dining table won't fit here, etc.), that it will be too great an investment in time and cost for us to do right away. Especially since we're listing our old house after we move in, and we have an infant (so disrupting everything once we've moved in isn't ideal).

I was hoping there was a magic paint color we could do that would make everything look less yellow, but I'm totally at a loss for what to choose with those countertops and the floors. I'm consistently unhappy with my paint choices, and this would be a big commitment given the size of the house and the fact we'd likely use a professional painter.

Maybe this shot of the kitchen counters helps:

Since this isn't your furniture, I would wait until it's in to decide on any paint changes. Definitely update the lighting fixtures and bulbs. That wall where the TV is now needs to be changed. Put the TV over a console on the adjacent wall and fill in the opening to match the other walls or even closed storage painted to match. I would add some blue accents and plants and live with it a while. It's a lovely home.

It hadn't occurred to me to try finding a large rug to cover the carpet spot. I'll have to see if I can find one big enough - that would be a simple fix.

Filling in the odd carpet patch with new tile might be ideal, but it may be impossible to match the existing tile. You can also have a piece of carpet cut and bound to your specifications. Given the odd size and shape of the patch, that might be the most practical approach.

Lots of sales today as it's a holiday. Rugs USA is 20% off plus free shipping.