Holiday Remodels to Elevate Your Living and Dining Spaces

If your living and dining rooms are separate, consider an open concept layout. Knocking down walls or creating wide doorways can enhance the flow, making it easier for guests to mingle and enjoy the festivities. This renovation fosters a sense of togetherness and allows you to keep an eye on the fun from any angle.

Costs: Creating an open floorplan is a large undertaking, and costs can vary heavily based on which wall are load bearing, and how much electrical and plumbing work is involved. Typically, creating these open floors plans includes a kitchen renovation and potentially work in surrounding rooms as well. This type of work ranges from $40k to $150k.

A fireplace is the heart of any cozy holiday gathering. If you don’t have one, you might want to consider adding a gas or electric fireplace to create a warm and inviting ambiance. A beautifully decorated mantel becomes the perfect spot for hanging stockings and displaying holiday décor.

Costs: While costs vary based on type of stove and the amount of work needed for ventilation or gas, that national average for a fireplace installation is between $2,000-$5,000. Larger fireplaces with high quality, natural stone or tile mantles tend to be higher in price, while off-the-shelf wood and gas stoves are cheaper and simpler to install.

Upgrading your lighting fixtures can make a dramatic difference in your living and dining rooms. Chandeliers, pendant lights, or even wall sconces with dimmer switches can set the mood and create a festive atmosphere. Ensure the lighting is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Costs: Adding smart light bulbs can be as cheap as $15 each, while recessed lighting, undercabinet lighting, and pendant lighting fixtures usually run around $300 – $600 per fixture for installation.

Consider a new color scheme for your walls and furnishings. Rich, warm colors like deep reds, forest greens, and golden hues can evoke a sense of holiday cheer. You can also incorporate these colors through accessories, throw pillows, and curtains.

Comfortable seating is essential for holiday entertaining. Invest in plush, inviting chairs and sofas where your guests can relax and enjoy the festivities. Large, comfy cushions and throws add a touch of coziness.

Expand your dining room to accommodate more guests. An extension can be as simple as a fold-down table or adding a bench to your dining set to allow more seating. Alternatively, consider a larger dining table for those big holiday feasts.

Upgrade your living room with an entertainment center that’s equipped for holiday entertainment. Large TVs, sound systems, and streaming services can make movie nights and caroling sessions unforgettable.