When it comes to home renovations, the first thing that comes to mind is beautifying the living room. Considering that it is the most populous space inside a residential dwelling, it is expected to have an inviting, comfortable, and cozy environment where the household and guests can gather. Most homeowners wait for the materials to wear off before having the interior remodeled. It is not a bad thing. But to save costs and energy, it would be best to invest in materials that would work for long-term utilization. To make things easier, we have listed 10 things that one must consider in remodeling a living room space.
1. Conduct a Research
To successfully plan a living room renovation, start by conducting research. This is a great start as to what to do and what to expect in the process. With plenty of acquired information, one can organize the structural changes and material replacements through working with other professions. Take time to create a plan and begin the entire renovation. Rushing the remodel would end up resulting in irrational choices and unnecessary expenses.
Always consider the idea you have in mind. Start from there and allow these ideas to develop. By then, you will do things right and design the space according to your budget and liking. It is easy to identify the things that you like to the things that you do not but it is essential to have it all planned out before execution. Another tip to spare is to brainstorm with the household. Allow them to contribute in terms of their likes and dislikes.
2. State the Budget
A renovation project for the living room is only possible to be executed by a budget. The budget is one of the biggest considerations in defining one’s needs and wants. It would be best to check your finances and if it could suffice your ideal plan in mind. First, identify the limit. This will help you set how much you can borrow and pay within the next few months or years. It would be best to work with a loan that is higher than the budget to have a little extra for other expenses.
Start with drafting the costs of the materials and fixtures you need. It would be best to base the budget on the estimated cost for the labor and materials. Consult an expert or contractor to have an actual view of the costs for the construction. Deciding on your budget should depend on the components so going over budget will be manageable. Considering what is seen in the market, it can be tempting to get this and that. Restrain yourself from purchasing unnecessary items and practice financial discipline.
3. Imagine the Lifestyle
In remodeling the living room, one of the most significant considerations is the lifestyle of the user. It is where the entire look would be depending on. Besides, it can be a bummer to design a living room that does not suit the living of the users. Start small by establishing the activities to be done in the living room. Is it going to be designed solely for catering to the guests or is it a fusion of a living room and a family room?
We want to maximize the utilization of the space and eliminate the elements that do not contribute much in terms of functionality. It would be best to observe the current living room design and evaluate the areas of improvement and areas to be eliminated. What do you think are the things that need to be cut off? This way, there is no wasted space and money. Always remember that the living room is a common area. It is expected to be a space where the household and guests seek comfort.
4. Plan the Layout
Planning the layout is one of the first few steps on how to remodel any space. It allows you to take a grasp of the expected design of the living room. After identifying the activities of the household and guests, define the zones that need to be covered. From the seating area, reading corner, and even a mini-office, plan the layout according to the number of users that will cover the space. Whether or not a space is big, planning its layout is important to know if the provided space will suffice the activities that it will house.
The accessibility of the space is dependent on the layout on a long-term factor. There are times when you are living in a generous living space yet you feel a little congested. This means there is too much surrounding the space and not all of them are necessary to consume the floor or wall area. Cut what you think is not contributing anything to the space.
5. Start with a Focal Point
In every space, the designer establishes a focal point. This is the first thing that catches the attention of a viewer when entering the living room. Whether it be a fireplace, entertainment set, or even as simple as a variety of art pieces lined up, the focal point should make the viewer look more than twice. The focal point is often an accent wall that is different from the other faces of the room. It may be different in color, material, or even arrangement. Think of a way on how to astound anyone who would walk to the living space.
If you have plans on setting up a fireplace, it would be best to hire a professional you can consult for sustainable techniques on how to maximize the temperature acquired. Having a fireplace is a norm for every Western household. Considering the shifting of seasons, temperature swiftly rises and fluctuates. If you were to set up a fireplace, ensure that it is built sustainably and durably. Besides, it is a cheaper alternative to an air conditioning unit.
6. Choose a Color Palette
The living room is the most crucial in determining the color palette to use. It is the first space to see as you enter the house and it is just right to pick a palette that would suffice a warm and inviting environment. This room has the most number of time used by the household. The attention of the users is drawn to the area making it an important part of the planning and execution process. More than just the color of the paint, take into consideration the natural color of the building materials for they allow to add a versatile character to the entire look.
For public spaces such as the living room, it would be best to work with warm and neutral colors. It indicates a refreshing atmosphere. Work with colors like ivory, beige, mute brown, grey, and taupe. These colors will highlight all the other elements, finishings, and textures that will be incorporate the living room space. We want to make the colors be straightforward than they appear inducing a welcoming environment for the household and guests to enjoy.
7. Work with a Theme
The theme will establish the concept of the living room. Whether it be minimalist, maximalist, or any other design style that you prefer to dominate the living room, allow it to reflect the character of the users. The theme is important in order to define the character you want to exhibit. Think of one that you think will make you feel comfortable and at home to. Being in the living room of other households, narrow down the themes that you have in mind.
Imagine lounging in the living room and ask yourself how do you want it to look and what is the ideal aesthetic imagery you have in mind. Stick with your dream output and try your very best to be creative and resourceful on how to put it to life. With the help of design and construction professionals, be open for suggestions and recommendations to make the remodel design work long-term in the most sustainable manner.
8. Identify the Lighting Sources
Apart from the remodeled interior, another important factor to consider are the lighting sources. No matter how great and beautiful the output is, without proper and sufficient lighting sources, it can put the design to no use. In identifying the lighting sources, it would be best to start with the activities that will be done in the living room.
Is it solely for entertainment and guests or is it also a place where you work from home? Once you have determined these activities, it would be easier for you to locate the lighting sources and what fixtures to use. We highly suggest not to use just one type of lighting but a variety. This will help in boosting the mood and environment of the living room. To save both energy and money, work with new technology type of lights that are sustainable and contribute less harm to the environment.
9. Pick the Ideal Furniture
The hardest factor to decide on is the type of furniture to use. Ask yourself whether or not you want to replace or retain your old furniture. For those who are trying to save money and cut budget on the expenses, work with upcycling the furniture instead or try repainting its structural elements. Whether it be a varnish or paint, it would cost you less than buying new ones. If you have enough money in the budget for new furniture, be smart in choosing the material and color. This is where the sustainability of the furniture will depend on.
10. Accentuate with Decorations
The last consideration for your next living room remodeling project is the decorations. They are optional but they have the power to make an impact in defining the character of the living room. They often come small or big but manage to make a statement. Whether it be figurines, vases, or any other decorations, ensure that the decor will match the theme of the living room. It should bring unity to the total aesthetic look.
