How Much Does a Living Room Remodel or Addition Cost?

Average Cost to Add a Family Room or Living Room

Living & Family Room Addition Costs

If you want to convert an 18-foot by 12-foot space into a living room, it costs $30,250 on average. Unused garages, sunrooms and attics are often converted. As the room size increases, so does the price.

Cost of Adding a Family Room Addition by Size

Building an Open Floor Plan

Building an open floor plan can easily reach $43,200 since you may need to take down at least one wall and complete lots of remodeling tasks. On its own, load-bearing wall removal costs $2,100 on average, while non-load-bearing walls are cheaper to demo at $300 to $1,000. Beyond that, you will need to cover the cost of remodeling two rooms, including paint and flooring.

Cost to Convert a Sunroom into a Living Room

The cost of converting a sunroom into a living or family room ranges from $17,300 to $43,200 if you leave the windows and skylights intact. Their removal increases the total greatly as you cover disposal, reframing and drywall install costs.

Converting a Garage to a Family Room

The cost to convert a garage into a family room is $5,000 to $10,000 on average. Installing a window or changing the ceiling height increases the price.

Living Room Extension Cost

A full living room addition costs $17,300 to $42,200, depending on how much space you add to the floor plan. You need to pay for permits, foundation installation and framing to create the room structure. After that, you must install windows, add drywall and apply paint before doing the flooring.

Cost to Build a Second-Story Living Room

If you want to build up rather than out, expect to pay around $100 to $300 per square foot. For a 200 square foot second-story room, the build could total over $60,000. If you add in the cost to raise a ceiling, it could reach over $80,000. Otherwise, the bulk of the expense centers around the cost to raise the roof, build a staircase and frame the structure.

Average Cost to Raise a Sunken Living Room Floor

To update the look of your sunken living or family room floor, you may pay about $6 per square foot to remove the step. A home remodeler near you can fill in a 20-foot by 20-foot space with six inches of concrete for $2,400. After covering the cost of filling in sunken living room with concrete, you can pay extra for an attractive finish by staining or covering it with carpet or hardwood. Although split-level homes were popular in Mid-Century design, many homeowners choose to fill it in when completing a family room remodel.

Living Room Remodel Costs

Cost to Decorate a Living Room

At $1,950 to $11,700, the cost to hire an interior decorator is a steal. For their fee, decorators help you select the best-looking window treatments, furniture and décor.

Cost to Furnish a Living Room

What you pay to furnish a living room depends on how many items you need and their overall quality. Furniture made from solid wood and luxe fabrics are more expensive than pressboard and canvas alternatives. Buying furniture in sets can save you money.

Cost to Paint a Living Room

Expect to pay $900 to $2,000 to cover the cost of paint for family rooms. That total includes materials and labor for a 330 square foot space. For a lower-cost option, wallpaper prices are at around $510 on average.  

Laminate, Wood or Carpets for Living Rooms

The price of flooring for living and family rooms typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,500, depending on your material of choice.

For each square foot, you will pay:

• Hardwood: $6-$22
• Natural Stone Tile: $7-$22
• Laminate: $3-$10
• Carpet: $3.50-$11

Wall Trim or Molding

Crown molding costs $1,110 on average family rooms or $4 to $15 per linear foot. The total price includes both labor and materials. If you prefer wainscoting instead, you might pay $7 to $40 per square foot to install it. The price of wainscoting is higher than crown molding since the panels are typically 5-feet tall.

False Ceiling in Living Room Costs

You can expect to pay $1,030 to $2,350 more to cover the price of a false ceiling. This fancy insert covers wiring and soundproofs the space while improving the room design.

Living Room Countertops, Cabinets or Build-In Shelves

You may pay $3,720 to $12,440 to add countertops and cabinets to your design. The cost of cabinets is $1,860 to $8,330, while countertop prices range from $1,870 to $4,110. To cover built-in bookcase prices, add $1,250 to $3,930 to your budget. These are all great options if you want to create an open floor plan, add a bar or just want extra storage.

TV Installation & Surround System

Installing a TV costs $280 on average, depending on its size and location. Surround sound system prices add $240 to $1,020 to that total. Unlike TV installation, surround sound system installation costs include the equipment, such as the receiver and speakers.

Recessed Lighting or Light Fixture Installation

Each recessed light fixture costs $360 on average or $2,160 for six. The price of light fixtures in other styles ranges from $90 to $2,200. Traditional ceiling-mounted fixture are the cheapest at $90 to $230. Highly detailed chandeliers are the most expensive at $1,000 to $2,200 apiece.

Average Cost of a Living Room Remodel with a Fireplace Addition

The price of a fireplace install is $860 to $3,610 with an existing chimney in place. To build a fireplace from scratch, chimney and all, expect to pay closer to $30,000.

Living Room Renovation Cost Factors

If you build a new living room addition or convert a garage, add the cost of permits at $1,800 on average. The total price of the permit depends on the scope of the project and local laws. Simply remodeling the room rarely requires a permit, but it is a good idea to check.

Difference Between Family Rooms and Living Rooms

Although both family rooms and living rooms act as a dedicated space to relax, living rooms are generally more formal and located right off the front entrance. Many people use the living room to entertain guests on special occasions and display all their collectibles, artwork and more. Family rooms are set back further in the house and serve as a casual space for families to spend time together.

FAQ

How can I remodel my living room?

To create a plan for your remodel, decide what you want to use the living room for. If you want to use it as a space for watching TV with the family, you might consider turning it into a home theater room complete with surround sound. If it's going to be an entertainment space for parties, you might want to expand the room by knocking down walls or opening up your kitchen or dining space into the area.

Is it cheaper to add on or build up?

At up to$80,000 for a 200 square foot space, building up is the more expensive option. The extra funds go to raising the roof or ceiling plus adding a staircase to the second floor.

How much does an outdoor living room cost?

Building an outdoor living room costs around $11,280 unless you already have a deck or patio ready to go. The project includes building a deck for $7,420 plus adding a pergola for $3,860. Furniture, ceiling fan and light fixture costs increase the price.

How long does it take to remodel a living room?

When building an addition or converting an existing space into a living room, the project might take six to twelve weeks. Simple remodels, on the other hand, usually take less than three weeks to complete.

Is it worth it to add on a living or family room?

Although family and living room additions do not offer a high return on investment, they are still well worth the time, money and effort. With these additions, you can add more useable space to your home, giving everyone a place to relax at the end of a long day.