Update Family Room

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

December 2021

Homeowners have many important questions about their Family Room Makeover 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 Family Room Makeover 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 Family Room Makeover project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Family Room Makeover - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Family Room Makeover 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 descriptionUpdate family room finshes and design elements. Update flooring, switchplates and decorative hardware. Add molding and recessed lighting. Install new window treatments. Use above average grade of materials, fabrication and installation quality. Estimated costs do not include furniture.
Project size185 square feet of renovation
Material and labor cost$4,275 - $4,988
Material cost$2,808 - $3,276
Do-it-yourself assessmentThe typical Family Room Makeover project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Family Room Makeover 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 Family Room Makeover project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% - 91% of its initial cost.
First year Return on Investment - ROIActual returns 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 good quality Family Room Makeover project in the right neighborhoods can return 61% - 72% of its initial cost.
Green ratingFamily Room Makeover projects can incorporate renewable or sustainable resources and environmentally friendly materials.

Family Room Makeover - Project Plan and Details

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

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

TaskService ProviderTimeDifficultyBasic Cost Range
Develop Family Room Decorating IdeasInterior Designer3 to 5 d$516 - $862
Prepare Family Room DesignInterior Designer3 to 5 d$516 - $862
Select Family Room FurnitureInterior Designer3 to 5 d$387 - $647
Specify MaterialsInterior Designer2 to 15 d$258 - $431
Remove CarpetDemolition Laborer1 d$0.58 - $0.97 per square foot
Install Recessed LightingElectrician1 to 3 d$209 - $358
Repair WallDrywall and Plaster Contractor1 to 3 d$204 - $343
Install Crown MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$9.36 - $16.34 per linear foot
Install BaseboardFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$6.18 - $10.74 per linear foot
Hang Interior DoorFinish Carpenter1 d$260 - $447 per door
Hang Curtain RodFinish Carpenter1 d$84 - $145
Hang CurtainsFinish Carpenter1 d$182 - $327
Paint RoomsPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$5.74 - $9.79 per square foot
Paint DoorPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$142 - $240 per door
Install Hardwood FloorFlooring Contractor1 to 2 d$11.71 - $20.54 per square foot
Install Wall SconceElectrician1 to 2 d$452 - $795
Install Light SwitchElectrician1 d$155 - $261
Install Ceiling SpeakersElectrician1 d$158 - $274 per speaker

Family Room Makeover - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

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

  • To maximize return on the Family Room Makeover project, limit cost to no more than 1.5% of home's total, post project value
  • For best home resale value, follow a consistent design and decorating theme throughout the home
  • Install a built-in media hub to centralize storage and access of audio, video, media, internet
  • For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Family Room Makeover
  • For best resale value, select components, appliances, finishes and fixtures of comparable quality
  • Use separate, individually controllable lighting circuits for ambient and task lighting
  • Recess speakers into walls or ceiling to share media system access and create room ambiance
  • Select finish treatments that harmonize with furniture and statement accessories

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.



Make Homewyse better

We're an involved community that values your input. So, let us know - did we meet your needs? how can we improve this site? Your comments and sharing are greatly appreciated!