Hi, Can you post a pic from further away so we can better appreciate layout of the room and if you have one a floor plan.

One solution might be to rehang front door the other way.

Yes I’d thought of turning door other way but it would damage door frame and I don’t want expense of a new door. It’s a tricky layout. Should have had floors raised when we extended but too late now we have retired from workforce.
Looking for a cost effective solution please.

Further photos but don’t have a floor plan.

Here are photos

And another view (sorry I’m not good at posting)

Some full height timber slats would look lovely attached to the side of the step

I had thought about that too. It’s a bit ironic that I will be replacing something I took out to open up the entry but I didn’t foresee the problem. The timber slats would be more modern and even reference the 70’s.

Just beside the door or across from door as well (where I have pot plant)? Don’t want to enclose it too much though.

the same dark timber would be ageless

or just a short nib wall to hip or full height

I have a photo of a simple timber screen but don’t know how to upload it to show you

Yes I’ll get some quotes

Thank you

You could try take a picture of the photo with your camera, email yourself a copy and save it on your computer, then go to make a comment and across the bottom click photo like you did above hope that makes sense

I’d start by moving the rug a little further under the couch so you SPCA’s see the leading edge from the step. I thing it might be a bit hidden but hard to tell from photo.
I would also move the plant stand off the step. By putting it on the lower level you get a better feeling of the depth by seeing the stand disappear, I also think that you are better being able to walk straight from the door rather than being encouraged to step quickly off the side before you appreciate the room. A second plant stand between orange chair and step will also start to get your screen effect. If you can replace the plant stand with something that brings the plant back up to current height.

Here

Why not paint a 30-40mm wide edge on the step ? It's not a high traffic area -- so it will remind most people ( the ones who have been there before and of course you who live there ) , but also catch the eye of new visitors . Even if its sort of out the corner of their eye , the fact that the lower level 'moves' in relation to the line will make everyone more aware .

I like colour , but white shows up clearest and has the best contrast , even in low light , so I wouldn't go trendy or fluro green or 3M Orange reflective strip , but white would be best IMO .

Thanks Kate
Your suggestion is easily done so will try it out tomorrow.
Seriously considering the slatted screen also but that will take a little longer to implement

The other option is to move the chair onto an angle which you could then grab the back if needed to get down the step.

Wow, that step is almost invisible with the dark floor. How disappointing, because it looks beautiful. As one of nature's clumsies, I'd definitely miss it!

Would it be possible to hand sand just the edge strip, and restain it a complementary, but contrasting colour? With Kate's suggestions re moving the plants etc, I think that might be enough to make it safe.

I can't find a good image of what I mean, but something a bit like this, only on the step border.

Thank you
It doesn’t show up very well but we had to insert a larger border when balustrade was removed. It doesn’t show up very clearly in the photo so would look a little strange I think.
But I really appreciate that you provided another option.

Love siriuskey’s idea, a screen at the front door could work perfectly, an entrance between where your plant is now to the screen would alert guests to the step down , absolutely beautiful room.

i prefer the ribbed glass to the slatted timber. what about creating a purpose for the difference in level. like create a banquette seating area for putting on shoes, or some low storage for things like hats, umbrellas, stuff you'd use near the door. If you made a bench without the screen it would be defined but still open. Do you remember the old telephone tables? maybe you can find one from 70s and set it up opposite the door? You could also add some feature tile to the vertical face of the little rise, it would make it more defined as you step up if it was a contrasting colour. but again the bench might help see the step as you go down. Or even just a little rug that changes the floor colour and makes the step down more obvious, it sort of disappears visually otherwise.

Thank you
If there was room your suggestion would be great
I like the idea of a different colour rug st entrance. Actually it did occur to me when I had posted my problem and looked at the photos in a new light.

I would use a rectangular planter box instead of the wooden screen ( placing it on the floor of the lounge next to the entrance way). You could custom make it to desired width and length. It would be cheap and keep the area open.

Something like this perhaps or could be clad in the same wood as your flooring to integrate it.

love the ribbed glass with the shelf. perfect 🤗

We put a timber screen in, at the top of our stairs (although we have two stairs and the area is bigger) we like how it doesn’t close things in. our builder built it, but it was pretty cost effective.