Transform Wasted Living Room Space
Kitchens and bathrooms usually get all of the attention when it comes to investing remodeling dollars and time. But many homes feature a front room or living room that is the first room guests or potential buyers see when they enter your home.
Many people don’t use their living rooms as much, in favor of a family, bonus or great room because they’re more utilitarian or situated in a more central area of the home. Reclaim the unused square footage of your living room by creating an inviting space for your family and friends to enjoy.
Add Built-in Bookshelves
If you don’t imagine your family sitting around in a formal living room with stuffy furniture, and everyone loves to read, transform the space into a family library. No need to knock out a wall or cut into drywall. Simply custom build bookshelves as floor-to-ceiling units so they appear as though they were built into the home from the start.
Enhance your library space by installing a folding desk, perfect for homework and bills. Complete the look with a couple of library chairs with ottomans, floor and task lamps and a rug to keep your feet cozy.
Install an Electric Fireplace
Many living rooms are just small empty boxes without a clear focal point. So, create one with a fireplace. Adding a built-in fireplace after the fact can be an extensive project, especially in homes where no chimney exists or the best wall for placement isn’t one that vents outside.
While electric fireplaces produce little heat, they can be comparable in look to a gas fireplace. Realistic flames make electric fireplaces an attractive and viable option. A lower-maintenance item than its wood and gas counterparts, an electric fireplace doesn’t require messy fuel or venting, reports Angie’s List. Your guests won’t know it was a later addition to the home. And adding one is simple.
Turn Your Living Room into a Bar
If you entertain often and want a reason for people to spend time in your living room space, transform the room into a bar. Like the bookcases, build a bar into the existing space or purchase a freestanding one. Include a few bar stools and other seating in the room. You might also add a flat screen TV, a comfy couch or a surround-sound stereo system. Fill with your favorite liquors and wines and you’re sure to attract friends for that football game or poker night.
Transform Your Room’s Identity
If adding custom bookshelves or bars is not your thing, you can still transform your living room space to create a new, fresh look. Depending on the style you want to achieve, pull out any existing carpet and replace with wood or laminate flooring. Dark floors might be good for a rustic-modern feel, while bleached pine wide-plank floors work for a beach-inspired theme.
Use patterned rugs to create intimate spaces or add a grid of faux-wood beams to the ceiling to replicate a cozy, turn-of-the-century appearance. Don’t forget about the walls. Textured wallpaper has come a long way since the ‘70s. Wall treatments go beyond paper — use reclaimed barn wood for an accent wall or a thin brick veneer for a city loft look.