Your living room should be more than “good enough.” It’s where morning coffee meets evening Netflix binges, where meals are enjoyed, and where kids sprawl on the floor with their toys. And yet, too many New Yorkers are stuck with living rooms that are ‘trapped in another decade.’ A living room remodel can drastically change how your home feels and how you feel living in it.
Here are seven inspiring ideas to wake up your weary space.
1. Embrace Cottage Charm
Who said you can’t get a cozy vibe in the city? One proud Queens homeowner spent months transforming their 1940s row house by removing the carpet in the living room to expose the hidden hardwood floor and applying a warm walnut stain. She then opened the archway between the living and entry room, which made everything feel larger and more welcoming—like stepping into a peaceful retreat.
2. Add Art Deco Arches
Nothing elevates a space like architectural drama. Structural arches replaced basic walls in one stunning townhome renovation, flooding the room with light while adding timeless elegance. The space went from dreary to absolutely cheery. Expect to invest $8,000–$15,000 for custom archway work, depending on complexity.
3. Upgrade Your Lighting
Old track lighting is so ’90s. Try one of these modern looks instead:
- Dramatic chandeliers
- Multi-layered sconces
- Dimmable light fixtures
For example, one Manhattan apartment replaced old track lighting with two gorgeous chandeliers. The room was completely transformed with instant sophistication.
4. Refinish Those Floors
Flooring sets your room’s entire foundation. Old, faded, two-tone hardwood with sun damage makes even the nicest furniture look bad.
The Simple Fix
To modernize the look, have the floors re-sanded and revarnished to a lighter stain. Budget around $3-8 a square foot for professional refinishing services.