good point about the cold air return!

Are they able to get rid of the raised floor?

There has been discussion about removing the carpet and eliminating the raised floor but it's dark in there now with the hardwood floors in the kitchen and in the add on area (pictured) that the previous owners put in. Need to figure what to do with that whole area yet.

I list wouldn’t spend any money updating anything in this area till the floor height preoslved.

Lighting is a must to get rid of dark. But if at all possible that step eliminated and hardwood to finish that carpeted space for sure .No privcy issue at the moment so remove those goofy drapes . Is this the only space for a TV? It is not large and so maybe a nice seating area but that step down is going to be ahuge issue for seating to keep people from falling off the step. If possible an actual to scale plan of the whole living space is really a must . Room use is planned in a whole plan not one little space at a time. The cold air return not really an issue but why the step up is an issue so that needs to be figured out. It is always advisable to live in a space for min 3-6 months before undertaking any kind of major renovations and for sure one this size. BTW the layout Lyn shows will not fit in that space .Where is the add on area?

For safety’s sake, I would spend all my money lowering the floor first. Oh, and ripping down those foolish drapes. (But that’s free.)

I like Bev's layout