If you want to redo your living room, you’ll want to know what the latest interior design trends are and how much it will cost.

The current tendency is for practical, comfortable, and versatile spaces that can support a variety of activities. The modern living room is a place for conversation and entertaining guests, but it also needs to be flexible enough to allow you to relax and watch Netflix shows. If you live in an apartment, your living room may need to be versatile enough to serve as a dining/entertainment area as well as a play place for your children.

You must budget for the following factors in terms of cost:

• You hire or consult labour, specifically tradies and professionals.
• Lighting and other fittings and fixtures
• Flooring options include tiles, wood, and laminate.
• Accessories, soft furnishings, and furniture

While we have no idea what your preferences are in terms of furniture, flooring, or accessories, we can give you an estimate of how much trade professionals charge. Remember that these are only estimates, and your tradie may charge you differently depending on where you live, what you’re having done, and how experienced they are.

What are your options for tradespeople and specialists for your new living room?

Depending on the scope of your project, you may require some or all of the following tradespeople and designers.

Interior designer (hourly rate: $150 to $200)

An competent interior designer can expect to be paid anywhere between:

• An initial consultation costs between $200 and $300.
• $150 to $200 per hour for furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, and window coverings sourcing, selection, purchase, and installation
• Painting, flooring, and other hard finishes cost $150 to $200 per hour.

Plasterer ($30-$70 per square metre) (hard plaster) $45 to $90 per square metre (wet)

If you’ve done any structural work, a plasterer will come in and make your walls seem brand new before the painter gets to work.

Painters ($200-$400/room) 

Painters could charge anything from $200 to $400 per room, depending on the size of your living room and the state of the walls, for a premium finish using the best paints or for more intricate projects.

Tilers ($40–$60 per square metre)

An expert tiler can assist you in laying these if you are tiling your living room. Be aware that if you reside in a strata, you will require approval, especially if you live in a multi-level unit where noise rules may prevent your tiles from being installed.

Floorers ($25–$40 per square metre)

Expect to pay roughly $40 per square metre for good quality timber laminate flooring, with laminate flooring starting at $25. The cost of laying it could range from $30 to $40 per square metre, including the underlay.

Electricians ($100 service fee plus $70–$95 per hour)

A sparky can help you instal new lights, additional power outlets, a fan, and more in your living room.

Cabinetmakers ($80-$100 per hour)

Custom storage, such as shelving and a unit to house all of your entertainment equipment, can be installed in your living room by a carpenter or cabinet builder.

Choosing the best tradies

When it comes to tradies, ensure sure they are qualified for the job. Some questions to consider are:

• Are you certified?
• Are you covered by insurance to work in my home?
• I’m not sure how long my job will take.
• Can you give me a written estimate?
• Do you have any references I might contact?
• Is it possible to show examples of your work?

How do you design a new living room?

The following items should be considered when designing a new living room:

• Taking measurements
• Using paper or an app, create a floorplan for your living space.
• Furniture selection – sofa/seating, coffee table, side tables, bookshelves, and storage entertainment units
• Making miniature models of your furniture and arranging them in a way that encourages conversation while still leaving enough room to move around
• To encourage socialising, create a focal point, such as seating around a low table or a central rug. This frees up space in the room for lighting, storage, side tables, and shelving.

You can also hire an interior designer to assist you with a variety of considerations, such as selecting colour schemes, creating a functional layout, and more.

Using the services of an interior designer

Shaynna Blaze, an interior designer by trade, provides some excellent recommendations for selecting an interior designer. “Find someone who is interested in you, your family, and not just the latest trends. Hiring an interior designer is about improving your life and getting the most out of your home, so they must first learn about you.”

This is what you may expect if you collaborate on a project with an interior designer if you have never worked with one before. They’re going to:

• Meet with you to learn about your design preferences.
• Help you choose colour schemes, layouts, lighting, furniture, flooring, curtains, paint, wallpaper, and much more by visiting your house.
• Prepare cost estimates, sketches, and designs.
• Source all of your fixtures, furnishings, and decorations.
• Supervise the project and the tradespeople who are working on it.

When selecting an interior designer, make sure they are qualified for the position by asking them the following questions:

• How much do you charge and what are your rates?
• What kind of education and/or experience do you have?
• What does your service include and exclude?
• When will you begin working on my project?
• Is it possible to show examples of your work?
• Can you give me a written estimate?
• Are you covered by insurance to work in my home?