The living room is often considered as the heart of the home. For one, it’s one of the most versatile areas. It’s where we relax, spend time with our family, and entertain guests. Some larger homes even have two living rooms: one formal entertainment area for guests and a smaller one for the family.
Whether you’re just making a few small changes or renovating the space from top to bottom, a living room remodeling can be one of the most worthwhile home projects you can pursue. Remodeling can be as simple as rearranging the furniture or installing new engineered flooring.
If you don’t know where to start, here are a few ideas:
1. Create more space
Living rooms in older homes were designed to be compact to lower heating and cooling costs. However, a shift in consumer preference towards open floor plans and improvements to HVAC energy efficiency have resulted in bigger living rooms.
One way to expand your living room’s footprint is to combine two adjacent rooms. For instance, if the dining room and living room are separated by a non-load-bearing wall, you could remove the wall and combine the two rooms to create a living-slash-dining space. It will involve a lot of elbow grease and dust removal but the results are worth it.
2. Rearrange the living room
Maybe you don’t need to resort to drastic renovations to transform your living space. Something as simple as rearranging the layout can have a dramatic effect on your living room’s look and feel. Find the focal point of the room and rearrange the furniture around it.
Architectural features such as large windows and fireplaces make for a natural focal point. But if you have limited room with no discernible features, you can create one of your own. A TV stand or a media console can serve as the center of an informal living room. Just make sure to hide the cables.
3. Change the flooring
Installing new living room flooring can increase your home’s value, something you’ll thank yourself for once you list your home for sale. If the carpeting or wood flooring is showing signs of age, it might be a sign to get a new floor finish.
Carpeting can be easily replaced by a professional team. Just make sure to choose one that’s eco-friendly and safe for kids and pets as some carpet materials emit irritants and noxious fumes. New engineered flooring in Melbourne can also be a cost-effective alternative to traditional wood planks.
4. Buy new furniture
Investing in new furniture, if done right, can be an inexpensive way to revamp your living space without new construction. You can also buy old furniture or revamp existing ones if you’re on a budget. If your couch is looking a bit dreary, getting it reupholstered will fool everyone into thinking you got a new one.
These are just some ways to transform your living room on a budget. Something as simple as rearranging the layout can change the way you look at the room. Major transformations like tearing down old walls, buying new flooring, and revamping your furniture are all popular methods as well.
