Odd coloured laminate floor, how to improve?

[HinnyPet]

We've inherited a dark red laminate floor in our living and dining room, it's such a big room we can't afford to replace it.
The colour is like a dark oak (not nice!)

What I'm wondering is ... can it be painted? Or stained or sanded or anything?

The alternative, if nowt can be done, is to make a feature wall and match the floor colour or something complementary? We have a mid grey L shaped sofa.

Thank you for any suggestions!

I don't know what would work eg sanding, etc, but could you test an inconspicuous area eg under the sofa?

Alternatively...rugs?

Can't do rugs as my two DC's run round and round endlessly between kitchen and living room, they love the floor!
It's just the colour, it's grim. I had a look at the floor and it's very thin, so sanding is out :(