When it comes to renovating a property, the living room is one of the most versatile and valuable aspects. This is an area that is viewed the most by guests in your home, and one of the factors that can determine a buyer's or tenant's decision. Most importantly, this is one of the places where you will personally spend a lot of downtime.
The living room is also one of the areas where you can plan ahead for financial needs without less risk of emergency spending.
“With salons, it's easy to manage your budget. There are no wetlands or plumbing issues, and it's very easy to get a quote for any job to make sure you're on budget, ”says Suzanne Burke, Commercial Manager at & # 39; Amerex Renovations.
It all starts with having a well thought out plan and taking care to update any parts of the room that need to be changed to fit your plan. Even if your renovation involves a major makeover in terms of style, you can save time and money by getting creative and figuring out the most practical ways to make your dream space come true.
It can be tough work, but the important thing is that you are absolutely happy with the result, from the look of the floor to the cushions on the sofa!
“With salons, it's easy to manage your budget. There are no wet areas or plumbing issues. "
Step 1: Know your general style
An end goal is the first renovation requirement. Without a plan, it may be impossible to know where to start the whole process.
Having a style trend in mind can be very helpful in guiding the overall project. Are you aiming for a minimalist, modern aesthetic or the Hamptons style? This will inform the decisions you make about furniture, colors and lights.
If you don't know where to start, the best way to get inspired is to go shopping. Visit warehouses, browse magazines and Google articles on the subject.
OUR CHOICE:
Option 1: Black Mango 85cm Black Hampton Club Chair – $ 684.00, Bunnings
This chair is inspired by those found at luxury tropical resorts, evoking both simplicity and class in its clean lines.
Option 2: Kenda Lounger – $ 449.99, Bunnings
For a warm, homey appeal with a touch of rough charm, this lounge chair is made of rattan and can even be used outdoors.
Tip: never underestimate the impact of the right piece of furniture. One bad chair can disrupt the flow of the entire room, so look at the room as a whole to be sure it all comes together.
Step 2: Have a solid foundation
Your living room floor should not only be a feast for the feet, it should also be a feast for the eyes. Old and unmaintained flooring can be sad to see, especially when it comes to hardwood floors, which are especially prone to fading.
The Burkes faced this problem with their remodeling project when the parquet they were working on started to turn orange because the sealant had been stripped. But by installing new floors and applying a water-based sealer, they were able to restore a vibrant and welcoming feel to the whole room.
Option 1: Blackbutt Metallon Copper Flooring 134 mm 1.463 m2 Pk Lt – $ 187.00, Bunnings
This wooden floor is easy to install and has high wear resistance with a minimum film film of 100 g / m2. It is finished with a low sheen acrylic lacquer.
OUR CHOICE:
Option 2: 85 x 19 mm Tongue & Groove Forest Red Flooring – $ 9.00 per linear meter, Bunnings
Creating warmth is usually the primary goal when choosing a hardwood floor, and it doesn't get much hotter than that!
Tip: Water-based sealants are ideal for wood floors because "they don't have an orange tint and are much more environmentally friendly," explains Suzanne. Be sure to sand and strip all of the old sealer before applying a new one.
Step 3: Update the lights
Lamps and light bulbs don't just add light, they are part of the decor. Old, dim lights can make a room feel like it's old and more run down than it actually is.
Downlights are great for living rooms as they generate a lot of warm light to enhance the ambience of the space. Recessed downlights, in particular, are a great, subtle way to really brighten up the room.
LED downlights are a great alternative because they save a lot of energy, last a long time, and come in a variety of designs. They can illuminate the room without being a safety hazard, as halogen lamps can by emitting so much heat.
OUR CHOICE:
Option 1: LEDlux City II dimmable white fixed LED downlight in warm white – $ 35.96, beacon lighting
This LED downlight is dimmable, allowing you to adjust the brightness of the room according to the atmosphere you want to create.
Option 2: LEDlux Vivid Color Switch Downlight in White – $ 22.46, Beacon Lighting
You can go from warm to cold light in a flash with this downlight, which is also compatible with some dimmers.
Tip: Wall lights are a nice decorative item for a living room, but their ability to illuminate a room can be quite limited. Therefore, the use of wall lights should be accompanied by other sources of brighter lighting.
Step 4: Make the centerpiece a real asset
Having a centerpiece to guide the design of a room around can be a great idea, as it gives you a focal point. A good centerpiece immediately captures the attention of guests and can be an instant talking point.
Centerpieces can not only be beautiful, but also functional.
“A fan in the living room adds a lovely coastal feel to the room. It creates a cool feature to bring you into the room and gently moves the air around the room to keep you cool and comfortable without having to run the air conditioners, ”says Suzanne.
Option 1: Fanaway Veil Ceiling Fan in Chrome with Clear Retractable Blades and Light – $ 899.00, Bunnings
Can't choose between a ceiling fan or a chandelier? Why not the two of them? This fan comes with retractable blades and tiered crystal ornaments.
OUR CHOICE:
Option 2: 132 cm Tahitian fan in off-white with off-white blades – $ 389.00, beacon lighting
This fan is sure to captivate everyone with its large raffia-inspired blades. It turns any room into a dream getaway.
Tip: Opt for ceiling fans equipped with lights to enjoy the best of both worlds. There are options with LED lighting to save energy and not cost too much.
Step 5: Brighten up the walls with color
The right shade of paint can make a big difference in presenting a space designed to entertain, so it's not always the best idea to go with your heart.
The color you choose will depend on your ultimate intention for the property, whether you plan to hold it, sell it or rent it. Light colors are a classic choice you usually can't go wrong with, as they serve to brighten up a space and complement virtually any look. Dark undertones can make a room cozy, but also make it look smaller than it actually is.
OUR CHOICE:
Option 1: Dulux Wash & Wear 4L Low Sheen Paint – $ 79.90, Bunnings
Low sheen paints are great for walls, especially in subtle, neutral hues. This paint is also stain resistant and easy to maintain.
Option 2: British Paints 4L White Interior Low Sheen Paint And Prime – $ 68.00, Bunnings
This paint doubles as a primer so you don't need an undercoat. It dries quickly to make the job easier.
Tip: Using different types of paint can add a three dimensional quality to a room. Matte paints are great for ceilings, while semi-gloss paints can make doors, frames, and arches stand out next to a low-sheen wall.
Step 6: Keep it functional
When it comes to choosing accessories for your updated living room, the key is to keep it spacious. This means opting for larger, but fewer, rooms that serve multiple purposes – as Suzanne says, "small items visually break up the room and make it cluttered and messy."
For example, a large runner can already add warmth and coziness to the room while complementing the walls. A single coffee table incorporates a touch of style with the added function of being storage space. A table lamp (or two) has an intimate charm while providing more light.
Option 1: Khofri 250 cm groundsheet – $ 399.00, Freedom
With a unique pattern inspired by Native American tribal motifs, this circular rug adds instant character to your living room.
OUR CHOICE:
Option 2: Madras carpet 80 cm x 300 cm – $ 149.00, Liberté
Composed of jute and handmade in India, this beautifully textured and durable floor mat is ideal for living rooms and hallways.
Tip: In open plan designs, rugs can be a great way to distinguish each room without interrupting the connection between spaces. Place the rug in the middle of the room so that it doesn't look like furniture cluttering it up.
Step 7: Find out where your style is sold
If you follow a specific trend in your decorating, you don't want furniture to look out of place. A great way to do this is to find a store that has exactly what you want.
“If you like the look of the Hamptons, a really easy way to make sure furniture meets demand is to simply shop at a store that specializes in Hamptons housewares,” Suzanne advises.
In the process, you don't have to go through a process of trial and error to achieve the aesthetic you want – you have experts making sure that your new sofa fits perfectly!
OUR CHOICE:
Option 1: Signature 3 Seater Sofa – $ 2,859.00, Henry & Oliver Co.
This sofa is completely Hamptons style, with hardwood frames and soft Warwick fabric to keep it looking good for years to come.
Option 2: East Hampton 3 Seater Sofa – $ 3,390.00, Henry & Oliver Co.
This powder blue sofa can be the perfect centerpiece in your living room. It stands out exceptionally well against white or neutral walls.
Tip: With the right cushions, a sofa can become an absolutely beautiful room. Don't limit yourself to solid colors or just one design – mixing and matching can have dramatic results.
Step 8: Use your windows
Curtains create the illusion of spaciousness, so this is a great way to add depth to a room.
"Installing curtains that fall from the ceiling to the floor can make the room feel larger and promote a feeling of luxury," says Suzanne.
"The illusion of a long curtain can make a huge difference in a room. This is a very simple home decorating trick that anyone can do that is not expensive! "
You want to maximize natural light while still maintaining privacy, so always go with window coverings that you can easily adjust to suit your needs.
Option 1: Sheer Curtains – customized price, Curtainworld
"To make the space airy and feel more spacious – especially in small living spaces – use clear, light-colored window treatments."
OUR CHOICE:
Option 2: Plantation shutters – custom price, Curtainworld
“These are incredibly popular right now. They are easy to use, durable, require little maintenance, and offer great control over the amount of light entering the room. "
Tip: You may find that your existing window frames are out of place in the new room, but replacing them is out of your budget. Plantation curtains and shutters are an inexpensive way to hide unwanted frames.
Case Study
Steve and Suzanne Burke were tasked with transforming a dated living space into an open and airy Hamptons-inspired haven – and they succeeded without reservation.
Steve and Suzanne Burke had more than just a renovation job on their hands – they had to change their minds following their work on a dilapidated property in Mount Lawley.
“The owners were a retired couple who wanted to modernize their tired, old-fashioned home so that they could live in a greater level of comfort and style. The male owner didn't think the house needed updating, while his partner persisted with the vision she had in mind, ”says Suzanne.
This vision involved a Hamptons style look and feel. The Burkes decided to work with a blank slate and removed anything that looked old – starting with the floor.
"We removed the sealant from the original parquet because it looked dated and the color was turning orange. The new sealant is water based and is much more environmentally friendly, ”explains Suzanne.
The original brown ceiling fan holding the courtyard in the middle of the living room was an "eyesore" to Steve and Suzanne. Fortunately, they and the owners have found the perfect solution.
"The owner bought a white Tahitian fan to be installed in the open air area outside, but the builder told him it would be hung too low." She decided to replace the old fan in the living room instead! "
To make sure all of the furniture matches the look of the Hamptons, the Burkes chose to purchase them all from a retailer that specializes in this type of look. However, another challenge they faced were the 'colonial-looking' windows, which were fitted with bars.
"We took the bars off the windows in the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and spent hours cleaning the glue from the glass to help modernize the look – a tedious job," admits Suzanne.
“The existing window frames were dark green and did not match the color scheme. But the owners did not want to replace them. "
Steve and Suzanne found an inexpensive way to fix the problem by installing plantation shutters and new sheer curtains, which hid the frames.
The end result was not only a hit at the 2019 Excellence in Housing Awards hosted by the WA Master Builders Association, but most of all, the owners were thrilled.
"In the end, the male owner shyly admitted that he loved the transformation and couldn't believe the improvement and level of enjoyment it brought to their daily lives!" "
Steve and Suzanne Burke are the owners of Amerex Renovations and Additions, an award-winning renovation company with over 20 years of experience. They are also the co-authors of Nail Your Renovation without Getting Screwed.
