Living Room Remodel Cost by State (2026)
Calculate the cost of renovating a living room including flooring, fireplace, built-ins, and lighting. Compare local costs across all 50 states and 800+ cities — updated for 2026.
$9,500
$3,500 – $22,000
How much does living room remodel cost in 2026?
A living room remodel costs about $9,500 on average in the US in 2026, typically ranging from $3,500 to $22,000. A refresh with new flooring, paint, and lighting sits at the low end, while custom built-ins, a fireplace update, and reworked lighting reach the top. Labor is roughly half the total, so flooring choice, carpentry, and any structural or fireplace work drive most of the budget.
What affects living room remodel cost?
Flooring & square footage
Living rooms are usually among the largest rooms in a home, so flooring is a major cost. At $5–$20 per sq ft installed depending on material, a 300 sq ft living room runs $1,500–$6,000 for new floors. Open-concept spaces are larger still. Hardwood and LVP both add resale value over carpet, and because the living room sets the tone of the home, flooring upgrades here have outsized visual impact.
Built-ins & carpentry
Custom carpentry is often the priciest element. Built-in shelving, media walls, window seats, and wainscoting are billed by the linear foot and can run $2,000–$10,000+ depending on size and finish. Built-ins add storage and a high-end, finished look that buyers love, but they're labor-intensive. Pre-made modular shelving is a budget alternative that captures much of the look for a fraction of custom-carpentry cost.
Fireplace updates
A fireplace is a focal point and a common remodel target. Refacing with tile or stone runs $1,500–$5,000, a new mantel and surround adds more, and converting wood-burning to gas or electric can run $3,000–$8,000+ with gas line or venting work. Removing or relocating a fireplace involves structural and chimney work and is far more expensive. An updated fireplace dramatically modernizes a dated living room.
Lighting & electrical
Living rooms benefit from layered lighting — recessed cans, accent lighting for built-ins, dimmers, and outlets for media. Adding recessed lighting runs $100–$300 per fixture, and new circuits for entertainment systems or sconces require an electrician and possibly a permit. Smart-home wiring, in-wall speaker runs, and concealed media cabling add cost but are easiest to install before walls and finishes go back up.
Living Room Remodel Cost Breakdown (2026)
Estimated national average by project option. Use the calculator on any city page for an estimate tailored to your location.
Living room size
| Small (under 150 sq ft) | $6,200 |
| Medium (150–250 sq ft) | $9,500 |
| Large (250–400 sq ft) | $13,800 |
| Open concept (400+ sq ft) | $18,100 |
Finish quality
| Basic update | $4,800 |
| Mid-range | $9,500 |
| High-end | $16,200 |
| Luxury / Designer | $23,800 |
Key features
| Paint, flooring & lighting | $3,800 |
| Add built-in shelving | $7,100 |
| Full remodel | $9,500 |
| Full remodel + fireplace | $13,800 |
Living Room Remodel Cost by State — Click Your State
Alabama
5 cities
avg $7,400
from $2,700
Alaska
1 cities
avg $12,800
from $4,700
Arizona
9 cities
avg $9,000
from $3,300
Arkansas
3 cities
avg $7,100
from $2,600
California
23 cities
avg $12,800
from $4,700
Colorado
6 cities
avg $10,000
from $3,700
Connecticut
5 cities
avg $11,400
from $4,200
Delaware
2 cities
avg $10,000
from $3,700
Florida
15 cities
avg $9,000
from $3,300
Georgia
6 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Hawaii
1 cities
avg $14,700
from $5,400
Idaho
3 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Illinois
7 cities
avg $10,500
from $3,900
Indiana
4 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Iowa
3 cities
avg $8,300
from $3,000
Kansas
5 cities
avg $8,100
from $3,000
Kentucky
3 cities
avg $7,800
from $2,900
Louisiana
4 cities
avg $7,900
from $2,900
Maine
1 cities
avg $8,800
from $3,300
Maryland
4 cities
avg $10,900
from $4,000
Massachusetts
4 cities
avg $12,400
from $4,600
Michigan
6 cities
avg $8,800
from $3,300
Minnesota
3 cities
avg $10,000
from $3,700
Mississippi
2 cities
avg $6,700
from $2,500
Missouri
5 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Montana
2 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Nebraska
2 cities
avg $8,300
from $3,000
Nevada
4 cities
avg $9,500
from $3,500
New Hampshire
2 cities
avg $10,000
from $3,700
New Jersey
4 cities
avg $11,900
from $4,400
New Mexico
3 cities
avg $7,900
from $2,900
New York
8 cities
avg $13,300
from $4,900
North Carolina
8 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
North Dakota
2 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Ohio
6 cities
avg $8,600
from $3,200
Oklahoma
4 cities
avg $7,600
from $2,800
Oregon
5 cities
avg $10,500
from $3,900
Pennsylvania
4 cities
avg $10,000
from $3,700
Rhode Island
1 cities
avg $10,900
from $4,000
South Carolina
4 cities
avg $7,800
from $2,900
South Dakota
2 cities
avg $7,800
from $2,900
Tennessee
5 cities
avg $7,900
from $2,900
Texas
15 cities
avg $8,600
from $3,200
Utah
4 cities
avg $9,000
from $3,300
Vermont
1 cities
avg $9,500
from $3,500
Virginia
5 cities
avg $9,500
from $3,500
Washington
6 cities
avg $10,900
from $4,000
West Virginia
2 cities
avg $7,400
from $2,700
Wisconsin
3 cities
avg $9,000
from $3,300
Wyoming
2 cities
avg $8,400
from $3,100
Living Room Remodel Cost — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a living room remodel cost in 2026?
A living room remodel averages $9,500 nationally, ranging from about $3,500 for a flooring-and-paint refresh to $22,000 for one with custom built-ins and a fireplace update. Because living rooms are typically large, flooring is a major cost, and carpentry and fireplace work drive the upper end. Open-concept spaces cost more simply because there's more floor and wall area to finish.
Is remodeling a living room worth it?
Yes — as the home's main gathering space and often the first room buyers see, the living room has strong influence on perceived value. Updated flooring, fresh neutral paint, and modern lighting recoup well and help homes show better and sell faster. Custom built-ins and fireplace updates add appeal and function, though high-end custom work is more about enjoyment than dollar-for-dollar resale return.
How long does a living room remodel take?
A refresh with new flooring, paint, and lighting takes about 1–2 weeks. Adding built-ins, refacing a fireplace, or installing recessed lighting extends it to 2–4 weeks, plus lead time for custom carpentry. Structural changes like removing a wall to open the space to a kitchen take longer and require engineering and permits. Custom built-in and stone orders add several weeks before installation.
Do I need a permit to remodel a living room?
Cosmetic work — flooring, paint, trim, and built-ins — generally doesn't require a permit. You'll need one for adding or removing walls (especially load-bearing), new electrical circuits, or fireplace conversions that involve gas lines or venting. Removing a load-bearing wall to create an open concept requires engineering, a permit, and inspection. Confirm with your local building department before any structural, electrical, or gas work.
How can I save money on a living room remodel?
Use modular or semi-custom shelving instead of fully custom built-ins, reface rather than rebuild a fireplace, and choose LVP or engineered wood over solid hardwood for large floor areas. Keep the existing layout to avoid structural costs, paint yourself, and shop flooring and lighting during sales. Focus spend on the high-impact items — flooring and lighting — that transform the room's look for the least money.
Other Renovation Calculators
Bathroom Remodel
avg $11,500
Kitchen Remodel
avg $26,000
Flooring Installation
avg $9
Interior Painting
avg $4
Electrical Wiring
avg $4,500
Plumbing
avg $3,500
Roof Replacement
avg $10,000
Full Home Renovation
avg $50
Bedroom Remodel
avg $6,500
Dining Room Remodel
avg $6,000
Kids Room Remodel
avg $5,000
Attic Conversion
avg $28,000
Home Office Remodel
avg $7,500
Basement Finishing
avg $50
Garage Conversion
avg $18,000
Entryway Remodel
avg $3,500
Closet Installation
avg $3,000