Planning a Living Room Renovation
From flooring and electrics to built-in storage, how to plan a living room renovation in the right order.
Living room renovations can range from new flooring and paint to removing walls and adding built-ins. Because the living room is usually the most-used shared space, disruption affects the whole household, and decisions about sockets, lighting and storage last for many years.
The key is to plan everything that goes into walls, floors and ceilings before anything that sits on top of them. Moving a socket after the walls are painted is far more expensive than putting it in the right place first.
Practical tips
- Start with how you use the room. Television, reading, music, homework, guests: list the activities and where they happen. This informs sockets, lighting and storage.
- Plan electrics early. Decide where the TV, lamps, chargers and any speakers will go, and add sockets accordingly. Consider wall lights or switched lamp sockets. All work should be done by a qualified electrician.
- Consider built-in storage. Alcove cupboards, a media wall or window seat storage can absorb clutter. Get them designed around what you will actually store.
- Choose flooring for real life. Engineered wood, laminate, vinyl, tiles and carpet each have trade-offs in warmth, durability, noise and cost. In flats, check building rules about acoustic underlay.
- Get the sequence right. Typically: structural work and first-fix electrics, plastering, built-ins, flooring (or after painting, depending on type), decoration, then second-fix electrics and furnishing.
- Think about walls before removing them. Removing or altering walls can involve structural, legal and building-management approvals. Consult a structural engineer and the appropriate authority first.
- Keep a contingency. Older homes often reveal surprises once floors and plaster come up.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Painting before electrics and built-ins are complete.
- Underestimating how many sockets modern life needs.
- Choosing flooring without checking building or society rules.
Illustrative example · not a real customer story
Example: the living room with one socket
Before
A living room with a single double socket, extension leads running behind the sofa, worn carpet and a TV balanced on a sideboard against the window wall.
What changed
In this illustrative example the owners map their uses and hire an electrician to add sockets on two walls, a switched circuit for lamps and a TV point on the chimney-breast wall. Alcove cupboards with shelves above are built in, the carpet is replaced with engineered wood and a large rug, and the walls are repainted last.
After
Extension leads are gone, the TV sits on a practical wall, and storage hides consoles and games. Because electrics were planned first, nothing had to be redone.
This is a composite scenario written to show how the tips might be applied. It does not describe a specific person or verified result.
Rough budget and time
| Item | Rough range (INR) | Rough range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical work (sockets, circuits) | ₹10,000–₹60,000 | $500–$3,000 |
| Built-in alcove storage | ₹30,000–₹1,50,000 | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Flooring (supply and fit) | ₹30,000–₹1,50,000 | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Paint and decoration | ₹5,000–₹25,000 | $200–$1,000 |
Estimated time: Two to five weeks depending on scope and trade availability.
Keeping it working
Once the work is done, record where circuits and cables run, ideally with photos taken before plastering, and keep them with certificates and warranties. This makes it far safer to hang art or shelves later. Follow care instructions for your chosen flooring, use felt pads under furniture, and keep touch-up paint labelled by room so small marks can be dealt with quickly.
Safety notes
- Electrical work must be completed by a qualified electrician and certified where required by local rules.
- Never remove or alter a wall without professional structural advice and the required approvals.
- Keep children and pets away from work areas, and store tools and materials safely overnight.
Read our full DIY safety disclaimer. When in doubt, hire a qualified professional.