How to Renovate a Living Room on a Budget
So, how much is it going to cost to fix up that living room? Paint and flooring cost a few thousand dollars. Construction and interior design may cost hundreds of thousands. But it’s important to know how much things are going to cost before the first sledgehammer is swung. This is true whether you’re planning a small change or a big one. If you don’t, you might run out of money in the middle of the project.
Sort “musts,” “maybes,” and “somedays” to generate a budget. Then, find out how much each element, or at least the “musts,” might cost by doing some research. A living room remodel doesn’t have to be a big change—sometimes just a small facelift is enough.
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Think It Over |
Wall decor |
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Paint |
Built-in shelves for books. |
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Flooring |
Bring down the walls. |
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Switch out your furniture. |
Change the trim or molding. |
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Display new living room curtains |
Go secondhand |
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Choose what to put on a coffee table. |
Lighting |
Think It Over
Planning is the first step in any project to improve a living room. Even if you’re doing it yourself, consider your budget and the room design.
Create a mood board with colors, furnishings, and the desired “feeling.”
Set the most money you are willing to spend on your project and try to divide it into parts. How much are you going to pay for the paint? What about getting new furniture and decor?
Once you have a clear plan, you can make a room that flows well.
Hunt your own home for cheap living room ideas.
Before buying new furniture, try to repurpose anything. A piece of bedroom furniture could be preferable in the living room. You could also look in your loft or garage to see if there are any forgotten pieces that could be used again.
Pro tip takeaway: If you find a great piece of furniture that doesn’t quite match the rest of your living room, you can paint it to make it fit.
Paint
Several techniques exist. The first is to paint the entire room the same color. Once you own your house, don’t be afraid to pick a color you like instead of the one you think other people will like.
If you want to sell your home, think about what colors would appeal to buyers. Try to choose a color that will go with the rest of your furniture.
You could also make a wall of quotes. To do this, you’ll need to paint three of your walls the same color and the fourth a different color. It can go with the rest of the walls or stand out on its own. (Decorilla Online Interior Design 2020)
Some people like to decorate their statement walls with fun designs. Wallpapers that you can peel and stick make it easier than ever.
Before you decide on a color of paint, make sure to test it out and see how it looks in different lights.
Use the right amount of light.
Don’t forget about how your living room is lit. Your room will have the best atmosphere when the lighting is right. A room appears lovely when the lights are set and various hues of light are employed. Your living room will look better if you use trendy lighting on a gallery wall with art. One of the best ways to make your living room lively and calm is with floor lamps. Match the seasonal items in your living room with the things that stand out.
Flooring
If you change the floor, the whole room will look different. Before buying new furniture, try to repurpose anything. A piece of bedroom furniture could be preferable in the living room.
Before you paint, it’s a good idea to know what the floors will look like if you’re changing them.
Flooring costs a lot, so leave a lot of room in your budget for it. If you choose hardwood floors, now is a good time to buy a nice area rug. It’s a great way to make your living room feel less crowded.
Switch out your furniture.
Tired of the same old furniture?
If you can afford it, this could be a good time to buy new things. You should get rid of your old, lumpy couch and worn-out chairs.
If not, you can still choose. First, think about covering, painting, or reupholstering the furniture you already have. A cover from the store can give an old couch or chair new life.
Old stools are also easy to reupholster.
Check out the local buy and sell pages and thrift stores if you want new things without paying new prices. You can find furniture that might be great as is or with a quick coat of paint. Try new things!
This is also a good time to move your furniture around. If you’re like a lot of people, your TV has always been in the same place. Your chairs and couches have never moved.
If you switch them around, you’ll be amazed at how different they look.
Wall decor
In the spirit of being creative, give your walls some style.
We already talked about adding cool patterns to a statement wall, but you can also add a gallery wall now. Gallery walls are a great way to make your living room feel more like you.
Get your decorations together first. You can use your own art, prints of other artists’ work, photos, or even shadowboxes. If you have any certificates, such as diplomas, those are also great to add.
Try to get frames that go together. You can either use the ones you already have or go back to the thrift store. Buy some paint to make the frames look the same, and try to find frames of different shapes and sizes.
Built-in shelves for books.
Built-in bookshelves may make a cookie-cutter house appear more personalized.
A DIYer who hasn’t worked with wood can’t create built-in bookcases.
DIY gurus have been known to line up simple bookshelves and add molding to make them appear more costly.
Bring down the walls.
Taking down walls in your living room to make it more open is a big job, but many people who live in older homes want to do it.
But this project isn’t always possible or affordable. Removing a load-bearing wall might cost more than $10,000 since a support beam is required. But if the wall is just separating two rooms, it can be done: “Opening up the space can be done, and you can even do it yourself.”
Keep in mind the cost of making the rooms look like they belong together now that the wall is gone. You’ll need to fill in the floor and wall gaps where the wall used to be. (Fortuneinfradevelopers 2020)
If you’ve checked for weight and electrical lines, you should be able to tear down most of the wall alone.
Change the trim or molding.
Recent interior design trends are simpler and don’t require as many elements. However, crown molding and trim can still be eye-catching and make a room look new.
Installing ceiling molding in your living room may appear uncomplicated. We recommend hiring a specialist. If you are remodeling your living room, you can save money by taking down a wall or pulling up the carpet. But for crown molding, she says, “Bring in a handyman.”
Display new living room curtains
Your living room curtains may be worn or don’t fit since you’re used to them. Changing to lighter drapes may brighten and open up a space.
Pro tip takeaway: To add height and make your window look bigger, hang your curtains a few inches above the window frame.
Go secondhand
Used furniture and decorations are inexpensive. They may give your living space a distinctive flair. Keep an eye out for pieces you like on sites like Etsy, eBay, and even Facebook Marketplace.
Don’t get carried away. Make a list of the pieces you want to find and write down their sizes. Again, don’t forget what a little paint can do, so look for shapes you like instead of colors you like.
Choose what to put on a coffee table.
Want a quick and cheap way to make your living room look and feel more expensive? Make a display for the coffee table. With a candle, a coffee table book, flowers, and coasters, you can build a Pinterest-worthy living room centerpiece.
Are You Ready To Remodel Your Living Room
You don’t need a lot of money or time to make changes to your living room. If you plan well, buy a few cans of paint, and use your imagination, you can make your living room feel like it belongs to you.
Smart Remodeling LLC may transform your living room. To arrange a free meeting, contact sales@smartremodelingllc.com.
The phone number for Smart Remodeling LLC is 832-808-8889. We, Smart Remodeling LLC, have the best advice in Houston.
