At Home Owners Association, we understand the transformative power of a well-designed living room. Your living space is the heart of your home, and it deserves to reflect your style and meet your needs.
Ready to breathe new life into your living area? We’ve compiled a list of exciting renovation living room ideas to inspire your next project.
How to Assess Your Living Room’s Potential
Measure and Map Your Space
Start your living room assessment by taking precise measurements. Create a detailed floor plan that includes the location of windows, doors, electrical outlets, and fixed features (like fireplaces or built-ins). This guide covers the important aspects of creating a floor plan for your renovation, which will prove invaluable when you plan furniture layouts and consider structural changes.
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
Take a critical look at your space. What aspects do you love? It might be the natural light or a cosy fireplace. Next, pinpoint areas that need improvement. Does the room feel cramped? Does the layout flow poorly? Write down these observations to guide your renovation goals.
Set Clear Renovation Objectives
Establish specific objectives for your renovation based on your assessment. Do you want to increase seating space? Improve the room’s functionality for entertaining? Update the overall style? Clear goals will help you prioritise your efforts and budget effectively.
Determine Your Budget
It’s time to talk numbers. Research the costs associated with your desired changes. Obtain quotes from contractors for major work (such as wall removal or window installation). Include the cost of new furniture, decor, and any DIY projects you plan to tackle. Learn how to create a budget that maximises value while controlling renovation costs.
Consider Professional Input
If you plan significant changes, consult with a professional designer or architect. They can offer valuable insights on how to optimise your space and may suggest innovative solutions you hadn’t considered. Many homeowners find that expert advice helps them avoid costly mistakes and achieve better results in their renovations.
Home Owners Association members often benefit from trade pricing and discounts on materials, which can significantly stretch renovation budgets. Additionally, the association provides expert advice to ensure projects meet high-quality standards.
As you complete your living room assessment, you’ll be well-equipped to make informed decisions throughout your renovation journey. This groundwork sets the stage for a successful transformation that aligns with your vision, needs, and budget. Now, let’s explore some transformative renovation ideas that can breathe new life into your living space.
Transforming Your Living Room: Key Renovation Strategies
At Home Owners Association, we’ve witnessed numerous living room transformations. Here are some powerful renovation strategies that can dramatically change your space:
Open Up Your Space
One of the most impactful changes you can make is to remove non-load-bearing walls. This action instantly creates a more spacious, airy feel and improves flow between rooms. Before you start, consult a structural engineer to ensure the wall isn’t load-bearing. The cost for this type of renovation typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. Be mindful that it may require a council building approval, which would incur additional fees and time.
Upgrade Your Flooring
New flooring can completely change the look and feel of your living room. Hardwood remains a popular choice, with oak flooring costing around $14 per square foot installed. For a more budget-friendly option, luxury vinyl planks offer durability and style at about $7 per square foot installed. When you select flooring, consider factors like durability, maintenance, and how it complements your overall design scheme.
Maximise Natural Light
Install new windows or enlarge existing ones to flood your living room with natural light, making it feel more spacious and inviting. Improving glazing can increase your home’s comfort and reduce energy consumption, lowering costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The long-term benefits in terms of energy efficiency and improved aesthetics often outweigh the initial investment.
Create a Stunning Focal Point
A feature wall can serve as a striking focal point in your living room. Textured wallpaper is a trendy option, with prices ranging from $30 to $300 per roll. For a more dramatic effect, stone veneer can create a rustic or modern look, depending on the style chosen. Expect to pay between $15 to $30 per square foot for professional installation of stone veneer.
Revamp Your Lighting Scheme
Thoughtful lighting can transform the ambience of your living room. Layer different types of lighting – ambient, task, and accent – for a well-rounded scheme. Smart LED bulbs, which allow you to adjust colour temperature and brightness, typically cost $20 to $60 per bulb but can significantly enhance your room’s functionality and mood.
These renovations can be transformative, but it’s important to align them with your overall goals and budget. Now that we’ve explored these key strategies for transforming your living space, let’s move on to discuss how furniture and decor can further enhance your newly renovated living room.
How to Style Your Newly Renovated Living Room
After you complete the structural changes in your living room renovation, it’s time to focus on the finishing touches that will bring your space to life. We’ll explore practical ways to style your newly renovated space.
Choose a Colour Scheme
Colour psychology in interior design focuses on creating specific atmospheres and moods through colour choices. Select a colour palette that complements your renovation. For a timeless look, apply the 60-30-10 colour rule: 60% dominant colour (walls), 30% secondary colour (upholstery), and 10% accent colour (accessories).
Select Multifunctional Furniture
In modern homes, versatility is key. Choose furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes. A storage ottoman can act as extra seating, a coffee table, and hidden storage. These pieces are particularly valuable in smaller living rooms, where space is at a premium.
Maximise Storage with Custom Built-ins
Custom built-ins transform storage and display options. They utilise vertical space efficiently and can be designed to fit your specific needs. Built-in closets can provide an average return on investment (ROI) of around 50%, potentially adding $1,100 to $1,500 in resale value. They also provide a polished, integrated look that off-the-shelf furniture can’t match.
Bring Nature Indoors
Add indoor plants to introduce life and colour to your living room. Studies show that indoor plants improve air quality and reduce stress levels. Low-maintenance options like snake plants or pothos are perfect for busy homeowners.
Personalise with Art and Accessories
Your choice of artwork and accessories makes your living room unique. When selecting art, consider the scale of your walls – larger pieces work well on big, empty walls, while smaller pieces can be grouped for impact. For accessories, follow the rule of odd numbers for a balanced look. Group items in threes or fives to create visual interest without cluttering the space.
To ensure your newly renovated living room meets all your needs, it’s important to plan your home renovation effectively. This includes walking through each room with a critical eye, noting areas that need improvement, and looking for outdated features that could be updated.
Final Thoughts
A living room renovation transforms your home’s heart. We explored renovation living room ideas, from opening spaces to upgrading flooring and creating focal points. These strategies, combined with thoughtful furniture selection and personalised decor, enhance both functionality and aesthetics of your living space.
Successful renovations require careful planning and execution. Start by assessing your current space, identifying improvement areas, and setting clear goals. This groundwork will guide your decisions throughout the renovation process (ensuring every change aligns with your vision and budget).
Home Owners Association offers members access to trade pricing, discounts on materials, and expert advice for renovation projects. Take the first step, start planning, and watch your living room evolve into the home’s heart you’ve always envisioned.
