thanks Red, I've already said that anyone who is advising OP to stain it darker, hasn't a clue of what it entails. It's more work than painting. Could they stain the bannister darker? yes, that is much more managable than staining the baseboards, crown and all that window/door trim. It's an insane amount of work. Honestly, getting all new wood trim and staining that, installing it, would actually be less work. not less cost, but for sure less work.
Jinx, I know you think you can just go over the wood trim w/a darker stain or tint, but that's not always the case. If there is any type of coating on there, it has to be removed. 25 years of dirt and grime will have to all be removed. it has to be sanded. and if it's not sanded or prepped just right, you'll get blotchiness. That's why it's always best to completely strip off the old finish down to raw wood and start from scratch. You ever stripped baseboards or window trim 15 feet up? yeah.
it's easier just to paint the stuff. Or buy new oak trim and stain it darker before it's installed
This looks good because it's surround by dark wood tones and bright white trim! this would not look like this w/the current honey oak.
We are talking two completely diff looks here. the current flooring matches the honey trim color.
are the floors solid oak? if so, they can be refinished. Is the door also a good quality wood ? that can be stripped and stained darker. All that trim? No. besides being a mess, it would take an eternity. Better just to paint all of that white, get a new light, a long runner, (and remove those square ladder things in the doorways)
Q