Ilene, I would not replace the floor unless it is unsightly or in need of a lot of repairs. If it is still in good shape, I would buy new area rugs. They will freshen up the space. Also, since there is a door, you can always close the door as needed. Your laundry/mud room is clearly a separate room from the kitchen, so no need to try and match the kitchen cabinetry. Go with the white cabinets from the box store that meets your needs. Is the space next to the washer large enough for a small cabinet/sink and do you have need for that? The laundry rack and a folding ironing board that attaches to the wall (if that is not what you have-I was not sure) should easily fit into the space. Don't spend more money than you need to. The cabinets alone will give you additional storage space and spruce up the room along with the new rugs.

I interpreted brutuses answer "paint the inside of the doorway the same color as the first room you enter" as follows: I have a family room on one side of my kitchen and a dining room on the other. Both are painted the same color. As I enter the kitchen, I would paint the inside "doorways" the same color and once you are in the kitchen, that is a different color. You could reverse that and say what about when you come out of the kitchen, but you can't come out of the kitchen without having "first" gone into it, by way of one of the other rooms. The continuity of the color stays in tact. I think that answer also means it will vary by interpretaion and individual opinion of the flow of their space. I also questioned the continued use of white baseboards/trim. The contrast of the white baseboards remind me of the way I learned to color and always outlined in black, to keep my other colors within the lines lol. I decided to use a wood stain that matches the floors. It's time to color outside the lines... :)

Very helpful thanks for taking the time to give your input! I really like the hearth all one level idea, and was planning on painting the brick fireplace wall. I have to look into the knee/wall and cap idea because I'm unfamiliar with such a thing but am open to that. If you meant the yellow curtains on the windows when you said "window treatments" they are already in the trash. I eventually need to get new Windows down there as the previous owner painted shut for many years. The thing in the corner is a gas heater that is much needed for that room due to it being below ground and an Add on to the house. Come to find out the previous owner ran the gas line from the laundry room outside and then back into the house from outside for that heater. So it will be a little tricky removing that. This room is unfortunetely lower on the list of Reno as I have my work cut out for me with sanding and restaining the upstairs, putting in hardwood on top of the asbestos tile in the living room and office, and then...The kitchen (face palm). But any little bit I can do at a time to the back room I will do as I need to get that closet out/reconfigured and that half brick wall before inviting friends over. That was the one thing in the house that made you say "wtf?" Thanks again!

Great space and I think you can do a lot with it. I'd definitely start by updating the flooring. Something with some heft that is easy to clean and can handle the high traffic. Something like slate or limestone would be great Limestone Slate I'd choose a nice wall colour to coordinate - could be white or grey, greige, green - those flooring choices will work with almost any colour. If you're up for it, I'd also paint the interior of that door at the top of the steps. Something daring like black would look great - depends on what colour you choose for the walls. Then I'd paint that handrail the same colour as well. Black or a charcoal colour would be fantastic IMO. Then I'd start organizing and making the most of the space Here are some ideas from Pottery Barn: It doesn't look like you have a lot of width there so something like this might work well. See the baskets on the top shelf. I'd definitely get lots of them. They keep storage looking neat and corral the clutter that often builds up. Here is another option that is modular. Choose the pieces that work best in your space The side wall with the ledge, I'd put organizers above that ledge. It could be hooks like this and it could take coats as well as handbags and hats. Or something more functional like this. Also small hooks for things like keys and dog leashes etc. And then some really good lighting. Brighten the space up and it will also help you find all the little things when you have to dig around in those baskets for the missing glove etc. I'm not sure if either of these would work for you but whatever you choose, make sure it throws good light. Multiple bulbs at least the equivalent of 60W. And I'd choose a 4000 warmth bulb, nothing yellow.