To darken floors, you need to have them all completely redone. The stairways already are very nice and go very nice with the house. If all this isnt your style, then, I would keep looking for one that is, and leave it for someone who really loves the style and floors etc in this house. The dated feel is more from the furniture that is in there, than the interior itself.

Step away from this step down unless you leave as is. A step down across that long space is a recipe for injury. If this is a must have house consider investing in raising the lower floor. $$$$$

Build a half wall if you think a step down across the entire space will cause an injury. it looks like a baby gate now. *I* think the banister going up looks wonderful.

any chance this is in nj? looks like a house I went to a party at once!

that aside this is such a lovely place. Don’t darken the floors just change the color scheme and the outdated elements the floor is a very very desirable shade for right now.

Funny- I think it looks lovely and agree that whatever seems dated is more from the furnishings. It actually looks similar to the house we left 5 years ago in NJ. (not quite my house, but in our development). I guess it was built in the 1990's?

Anyway I agree that its lovely and I think everything you want to do would be possible except for removing the bannister along the step down which would definitely be a recipe for accidents.

In our last house we had that (actually a 1/2 wall between the kitchen and family room) and still had several people miss that step. No one was injured, but we did have a full glass of red wine spill and splatter .

I’d pass on the house just because of the stepdown. To me, that’s a dated and dangerous feature.

I would build a half wall where the step down is, straighten the two stairs out and put a small handrail.

It's not particularly dangerous now, (defined, and Two Stairs instead of One) no more dangerous than any stairs, but it would be without a railing. Two steps like this are picked up subconsciously because the level change is significant. One step is too slight of a change for many people to pick up unless they are looking for it, and much more of a hazard, particularly when it is not defined by anything.

If you wanted to close off the dining room, it would be possible, but you would have to figure out what happens at the ceiling. It's likely that you would have to lower the ceiling in the dining room, maybe make it into a tray, because I think the proportions would be very awkward to keep that vault if it were interrupted by a wall. Not in the larger living area but in the dining room, it would just be an awkward angled shape.

I agree with cat_ky, if this house isn't your style, find one that is. Also, take another look at what is considered modern, and you may be surprised. I recommend finding your own style preference instead of following trends.

I think the house looks quite nice. The step down room can be a negative, but hard to say without seeing the space in person.

Maybe show us some photos of what a "modernized" design would look like to you?

Perhaps replace the wood railing with a decorative iron railing?

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments! Emma Rose, it's not in New Jersey but would have been funny if you knew this house!

For context on why we haven't walked away due to the style, the house is in our ideal neighborhood and school district with an immaculate, flat lot and huge backyard which is very rare to find in our town. Having looked at many homes over the past 18 months, this is the closest we've been to making an offer. I completely understand the philosophy of not changing the entire look as it is in very good condition. I attached some photos of the house next door which has the aesthetic that I love, but am going to research design styles with warm wood floors to get some ideas!

It has a formal living and dining room which is the public entertaining space. The family room, by the kitchen, is where the TV goes and is the private family space.

That is a very nice house. I especially like the trees outside the big windows. If it were me I would live with it a while and then see if anything bugs you enough to change. You may find once you get your furniture in there that you aren't as keen to enter expensive, messy and toxic smelling projects that may end up muddling the style.

I think changing the light fixtures and redoing window coverings may give you some elements of style to play with that will allow it to feel like your own.

I would turn those railings into bookcases, half wall height. If you paint the built ins, then have these match.