Living Room Remodel Checklist

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Vision

Define project scope

Determine what stays, what goes, and your non-negotiables for the remodeled living room.

Create your wish list

Dream big — open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, fireplace wall, built-ins. Prioritize later.

Assess your lifestyle needs

How do you actually use the room? Entertainment hub, quiet retreat, family gathering space?

Consider resale value

Balance personal taste with market appeal. Open concepts and quality finishes pay back.

Document current state

Photograph everything, measure the room, and note electrical, HVAC, and structural details.

Design

Hire a designer or architect

For major remodels, professional design catches problems before they become expensive mistakes.

Finalize room layout and flow

Plan furniture zones, traffic paths, focal points, and connections to adjacent rooms.

Design the fireplace wall

Plan the surround material, mantel style, built-in integration, and media placement.

Select materials and finishes

Choose flooring, wall treatments, ceiling details, stone, tile, and millwork finishes.

Create a lighting plan

Layer ambient, task, and accent lighting. Plan fixture locations, circuits, and controls.

Budget

Get a detailed cost breakdown

Price out labor, materials, permits, design fees, furniture, and fixtures line by line.

Add 20% contingency

Remodels always reveal surprises — old wiring, structural issues, or hidden damage behind walls.

Explore financing options

Cash, HELOC, or cash-out refinance. Compare rates and terms for your project size.

Create a payment schedule

Never pay 100% upfront. Standard: 10% deposit, 40% at materials, 50% at completion.

Contractor

Get 3-5 detailed bids

More bids mean better pricing insight. Ensure each bid covers identical scope of work.

Check references thoroughly

Call 3+ recent clients. Ask about communication, timeliness, cleanliness, and problem-solving.

Verify licenses and insurance

Confirm general contractor license, liability insurance, and workers' comp coverage.

Review contract carefully

Every detail in writing: materials, timeline, payment terms, change orders, warranties.

Confirm project timeline

Major living room remodels take 3-6 months. Pin down start date and milestone schedule.

Permits

Determine required permits

Structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work typically require building permits.

Submit permit applications

Your contractor handles this. Plan for 2-6 weeks approval time depending on jurisdiction.

Get HOA approval if needed

Condo or HOA communities often require architectural review for exterior-visible changes.

Coordinate utility needs

Adding a gas fireplace, upgrading electrical panel, or rerouting HVAC may need utility involvement.

Pre-Build

Order long-lead items

Custom millwork, stone slabs, and specialty fixtures can take 8-12 weeks. Order now.

Set up temporary living space

You'll lose the living room for months. Create a comfortable alternative gathering spot.

Protect adjacent areas

Seal doorways with plastic, cover floors, protect furniture. Construction dust travels everywhere.

Clear and store furniture

Remove everything from the room. Label boxes by room zone for easier reassembly later.

Structural

Demolition

Remove walls, flooring, ceiling, fireplace, and anything else in the existing space.

Framing and layout changes

Open up walls, add archways, change ceiling height, or create new room connections.

Install support beams

Replace removed load-bearing walls with steel or LVL beams per structural engineer plans.

Rough-in plumbing (if needed)

For gas fireplace, wet bar, or radiant floor heating. Run lines before closing walls.

Rough-in electrical

Run new circuits, add outlets, install junction boxes for fixtures and built-in lighting.

Finishes

Drywall and paint prep

Hang drywall on new framing, tape, mud, and sand. Prime all surfaces before finishes.

Install flooring

Hardwood, stone, or premium engineered flooring. Acclimate materials and install with proper expansion gaps.

Build fireplace surround

Install stone, tile, or custom millwork around the firebox. This is the room's centerpiece.

Install built-in cabinetry

Custom shelving, media centers, window seats, or library walls. The signature of a remodel.

Add ceiling treatments

Coffered ceilings, exposed beams, tray ceilings, or tongue-and-groove planking overhead.

Install wall paneling and trim

Wainscoting, millwork panels, shiplap, or custom wall treatments for architectural detail.

Systems

Install lighting fixtures

Chandeliers, recessed lights, sconces, and accent lighting per the lighting plan.

Add recessed and accent lighting

Can lights for ambient, puck lights in built-ins, and LED strips for architectural details.

Install smart home wiring

Pre-wire for motorized shades, smart switches, whole-house audio, and home automation.

HVAC modifications

Relocate vents, add zones, or install a mini-split for the open floor plan layout.

Set up audio/video systems

In-wall speakers, TV wiring, soundbar pre-wire, and media equipment ventilation.

Final

Paint and finish trim

Final paint coats on walls and ceilings. Install and finish all trim, molding, and millwork.

Install window treatments

Custom drapes, motorized shades, or plantation shutters. Mount hardware and dress windows.

Furnish the room

Move in furniture, layer rugs, place accessories, and arrange around the focal point.

Final inspection

Walk through with contractor. Test everything. Create a punch list of remaining items.

Complete punch list

Address every item: touch-up paint, adjust doors, fix trim gaps, tighten hardware.

Professional photos and celebration

Document your investment with quality photos. You've earned a celebration in your new space!

Need something smaller?

Living Room Refresh 1-2 weeks Living Room Update 1-4 weeks Living Room Renovation 1-3 months