Get More 'Life' From Your Living Room

There is a good chance your living room gets a lot of use - watching TV, hosting friends, relaxing - which means it needs frequent refreshers. Luckily, it is one of the more straightforward of rooms to remodel and because it’s typically one of your home’s most public spaces it can offer your whole place a new look. Typical renovations in the the living room include:

• Replacing or renovating the floor
• Refinishing walls
• Upgrading lighting and other electrical systems
• Adding or changing integral features, such as fireplaces or recessed shelves
• Expanding the overall space

Depending on your skill level and budget you can try and tackle any of the first three yourself while the last three typically require building inspections, permits and contractors.

Flooring Tip
Unless you’re tearing out walls or installing all new electrical the floor will likely be your biggest investment. Also depending on what material you choose it may last a long time so think about it carefully.

Here are the most common materials, along with some pros and cons:

	PROS	CONS
FLOORING	Soft, warm, stylish	Not water or stain proof. Typically requires installation by pros
	Cheaper, softer and easier to install than wood	Not as durable
	Good investment, durable, warm, attractive	Expensive
	Cushiony, stylish, versatile an cheaper than tile	Not as durable
	Cool, stylish, versatile and timeless	Expensive and tricky to install
WALLS	Stylish, inexpensive, easy to install and can be made from multiple sources	Can make a wall seem shorter than it is
	Stylish and good investment	Lacks versatility and can be tricky to install
	Versatile, cheap and easy to do yourself	Many choices in colors and textures may be overwhelming
	Warm, stylish, good investment	Can be expensive
	Charming, versatile, long-lasting	Can date a room and hard to blend with other styles
	Inexpensive and versatile	Tricky to install

*For a quick and less costly fix you could reupholster a piece of furniture, purchase a new rug, add some throw pillows or change out the window treatments*