Decorate Room

Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Room Decoration project

December 2021

Homeowners have many important questions about their Room Decoration Project. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What problem areas do I need to watch out for? Can I recover my Room Decoration investment when I sell? Can I do some of the work myself? What can I do to make sure that the work is done right?

Costs, materials and best practices for the example Room Decoration project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Room Decoration - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Room Decoration project are summarized below. Use higher estimates for larger metropolitan areas and the lower estimates where home prices are below the national average. Adjust costs for substitutions or refinements in the last section. For size differences of up to 25%, scale total costs in direct proportion to the size of your project. Use the adjusted costs as a basis for setting a material budget and for comparing contractor bids (if you choose to have a professional perform the work).

Project descriptionDecorate existing room. Update molding, flooring, doors, switchplates and decorative hardware. Add built-in speakers and modern recessed lighting. Install new window treatments.
Project size210 square feet
Material and labor cost$5,261 - $6,137
Material cost$4,005 - $4,673
Do-it-yourself assessmentThe typical Room Decoration project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Room Decoration requires attention to detail and careful planning.
First year Return on Investment - ROIReturns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Room Decoration project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% - 91% of its initial cost.
First year Return on Investment - ROIReturns will be impacted by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Room Decoration project can return as much as 67% - 78% of its initial cost
Green ratingRoom Decoration projects can incorporate renewable or sustainable resources and environmentally friendly materials.

Room Decoration - Project Plan and Details

The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Room Decoration. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Room Decoration project. Click any Task name for a complete written specifications, FAQs and quality checklist for the task - this essential information will help you control Room Decoration project cost and quality.

Do you expect to spend more than $250 on your Room Decoration project? If so, it is important create and manage a detailed plan for all project activities.

TaskService ProviderTimeDifficultyBasic Cost Range
Create Interior Decorating PlanInterior Designer5 to 15 d$516 - $862
Specify MaterialsInterior Designer2 to 15 d$258 - $431
Specify FinishesInterior Designer1 to 2 d$774 - $1,293
Install Can LightingElectrician1 to 3 d$211 - $361
Remove Popcorn Ceiling TexturePainter1 to 3 d$0.84 - $1.43 per square foot
Repair Wall DamageDrywall and Plaster Contractor1 to 2 d$201 - $340
Texture WallsDrywall Contractor1 to 2 d$0.75 - $1.32 per square foot
Install Fireplace MantelFinish Carpenter1 d$523 - $926
Install Trim MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$5.40 - $9.41 per linear foot
Hang Interior DoorFinish Carpenter1 d$260 - $447 per door
Install Crown MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$9.36 - $16.34 per linear foot
Install ValanceFinish Carpenter1 d$25.54 - $44.93 per linear foot
Install Window ShadesFinish Carpenter1 d$127 - $223
Install Door KnobFinish Carpenter1 d$110 - $191 per door
Paint MoldingPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$1.81 - $3.07 per linear foot
Paint WallPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$1.57 - $2.70 per square foot
Paint CeilingPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$1.77 - $3.03 per square foot
Refinish Hardwood FloorWood Flooring Installer2 to 5 d$3.37 - $5.78 per square foot
Replace Electric SwitchElectrician1 d$74 - $126
Replace Switch PlatesElectrician1 d$20.53 - $34.49

Room Decoration - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Room Decoration project plan.

  • To maximize return on the Room Decoration project, limit cost to no more than 1.75% of home's total, post project value
  • For best home resale value, follow a consistent design and decorating theme throughout the home
  • To keep Room Decoration costs low, do not move walls or relocate plumbing fixtures or electrical boxes
  • For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Room Decoration
  • For best resale value, select components, appliances, finishes and fixtures of comparable quality
  • Recess speakers into walls or ceiling to share media system access and create room ambiance
  • Use under floor electrical receptacle(s) to provide interior portion of room with cord free electrical power
  • Use low voltage interior lighting to illuminate pathways used at night

Hiring Local Professionals

How to hire a trustworthy pro contractor for your project

Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project.



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