How to Build a Living Room

The living room should be completely designed and planned long before the house is built. Some of the features that are common in living rooms include large openings in the exterior and interior walls; a large, expansive ceiling; and the prevalence of exquisite or ornate moldings, especially around the baseboard and ceiling. Other unusual items might include bay windows or wainscoting and fancy chair rails along the bottom section of the walls. All of these provide special challenges for the builder. If you happen to be building a living room as part of a remodeling job, then these features are something that you might attempt to create in your reconstruction efforts.

Things You'll Need

• Blueprint Framing members Tape measure Sheetrock Joint compound Wood trim Nails and wood fasteners Power tools

Instructions

How to Build a Living Room

1. Frame in the exterior walls. Follow the architect's or builder's guidelines strictly, as variations can create problems later. Living rooms tend to have large picture windows or sliding glass doors mounted in the exterior wall. The openings for these require a header that spans the top of the opening. The header is made form two framing members (they can be quite large) that are turned on edge and glued together with a construction adhesive. Sometimes a thin plywood plate is placed in between the two timbers. A pair of built-up posts always supports the header. The framing members that fill in the wall space between the header and the top plate are called a cripple.

2. Frame in the interior walls allowing space for doorways, but there will probably not be any actual doors. A living room usually has large openings without a door. Again, a system and headers and posts is used just as in the exterior wall. One situation that regards watching is the location of support walls. A support wall supports the floor joists that are located on the floor above. Spanning an opening in a support wall requires extra support. It is best to consult an architect or builder during the planning stage to be sure that you have designed your openings correctly.

3. Cover the walls and ceiling with a wall covering. Sheetrock or plaster board is the most common choice today. Even if wallpaper or paneling comes later, the sheetrock goes up first and has to be finished with paper tape and a special mixture to ensure a smooth wall. Sometimes tongue and groove or beaded wood can be applied directly to the framing members. Always make sure that all electrical and plumbing fixtures are in place before this stage is begun.

4. Flooring in a living room can vary greatly in style and expense. Almost always there is a plywood subfloor that gets covered with anything from wall-to-wall carpet (inexpensive) to wooden parquet floors (expensive). It is best to save work on the floors after the walls have been finished and painted.

5. Last comes the trim and a wide and various list of sundry details. Wood trim usually covers the windows, doorways and baseboard. This is the last large step, but there are so many variations that it is impossible to list them all. In addition to wood trim, your living room might have a fireplace, bookshelves, special cabinets or built-in furniture. All of these are unique items that require special attention and much detailed planning.

Tips & Warnings

• Good planning is essential. So is a visual diagram or blueprint.

• Do not attempt more than you can handle. Hire professional assistance at various stages.