Can You Raise A Sunken Living Room Floor?

A sunken living room, or a conversation pit, is a place where you can spend time with family members and guests to relax and enjoy an intimate conversation with one another. This design was popular a few decades ago but has slowly gone out of fashion in recent years. So, we did our research to tell you whether or not it's possible to raise a sunken living room floor.

The quick answer to this query is a short yes. All you need to do is contact an engineer to help you figure out the necessary steps that you must take. Depending on the depth of your sunken living room floor, the overall design of the area, and the materials used, you need to prepare yourself for the costs it will take to raise it.

In this article, you will learn which factors directly influence the cost of raising your sunken living room floor. We will also talk about how much you could expect the whole project to cost and the advantages and disadvantages of having a sunken living room floor in your home. So, continue reading to find out more.

Is It Possible To Raise A Sunken Living Room Floor?

Raising your sunken living room floor to match the level of the rest of the room is certainly possible. However, you'll have to be prepared to spend since this project isn't very cheap.

Modern contemporary sunken living room interior design with comfortable sofa

Despite its popularity over half a century ago, it's a common trend nowadays to raise these floors to the general level for various reasons. You will later learn more about them as you continue reading this article.

You will need a professional for this project. Having an engineer oversee the whole thing helps make the process much smoother while guiding you on the necessary steps.

Depending on the design of the sunken living room, it could be as easy as pouring cement into the recession to level it out, or it will require some major renovations, like moving fireplaces and the like.

How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Sunken Living Room Floor?

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How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Sunken Living Room Floor

Raising your sunken living room floor will cost you between $2,500 and $20,000. The price fluctuates greatly depending on your materials, plans, and the number of alterations needed.

Another thing to consider is the area's size and height difference. The greater the size and difference, the more it will cost you.

If you're curious to know how much it would cost to do the same to other floors of your home, worry not. Check the link provided below for more details:

Read: How Much Does It Cost To Level A Floor?

What Factors Influence The Cost Of Raising A Sunken Living Room Floor?

Now that you know that it's possible to raise your sunken living room floor, it's time for you to learn what factors you need to be aware of when it comes to the costs of the whole project. As mentioned earlier, this doesn't come cheap, and the larger the space you want to level, the more expensive it usually becomes.

Living Room Space

One of the factors that you need to take into account is the area of the sunken living room floor. After all, you must fill in the entire space if you want to level it with the rest of the house.

Price will depend on how much space needs filling, with smaller areas coming cheaper but larger ones racking up costs. The number of laborers you need will also vary depending on size. Nowadays, it will cost you around $6 per square foot to fill the space.

The Height Difference

The trend of things becoming more expensive when they come in large packages continues. The larger the height difference between the sunken living room floor to the general level for the rest of the house, the more expensive it becomes. That's because you'll be paying for more materials. Even a few inches above average will cost you quite a bit of loose change.

Check this vinyl flooring on Amazon.

Flooring Materials

Lastly, you need to consider the flooring materials you want to use. You can opt to match it with the general floor or choose something else entirely.

The good thing about this is that this will not break the bank. Plenty of options are available in the market for all kinds of budgets. So if you're short on money, you can save a little on flooring materials while maintaining an overall pleasing aesthetic.

Whether you want to go with interlocking, laminated wood, or stick-on vinyl flooring, the choice is yours. And as such, you can let out the interior designer from within.

Check this laminated wood flooring installation kit on Amazon.

What Are The Advantages Of Having A Sunken Living Room Floor?

Sunken living room interior design with comfortable sofa

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to keep your sunken living room floor, the two biggest reasons being space and uniqueness.

A sunken living room floor can make a space larger than it initially seems. That's because it further separates the floor from the ceiling. This creates an illusion that the house is much larger.

But for most homeowners, it's the fact that it introduces a new element into their home that excites them. Modern housing designs tend to make everything monotonous and similar to every other home you visit. Having a unique space helps change the atmosphere and breaks up this sameness. 

It creates a space inside your home where you can accept visitors and have a good conversation with them, something that most modern houses can't provide. If you want to add a new flair to your home, a sunken living room space is for you.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Having A Sunken Living Room Floor?

While installing a sunken living room space in your home is an exciting idea, it's best to put some thought into the process, including the reasons why sunken living room floors are a trend that's largely died out.

For one, it can cause accidents in your home, like slipping and tripping. When you can be extra careful, you may struggle to relax, and your home should always be a safe space where you can relax.

Not only that, but a sunken living room can actually limit your creativity. While it adds flair to your home, there's only so much you can do in such a distinct space. Because of how special and unique it is, it requires custom-made furniture and decorations.

Lastly, these things can become quite expensive. That's why sunken living room spaces are not for everyone. The labor, time, and money it costs to have one are not worth it to everyone.

Can A Sunken Living Room Raise The Value Of A House?

Seating area and stone fireplace in spacious living room

It wholly depends on the overall design of your sunken living room floor. Although this trend faded in the late 90s, it has somewhat rebounded recently.

With how most modern houses look increasingly similar each day, a sunken living room floor provides the uniqueness one might be looking for. It depends on its aesthetic design and how it translates to the home landscape.

Investing in a sunken living room space properly can raise your house's resale value by up to 10 percent. However, do take note that this doesn't apply to every home.

Specifically, homes with large open areas stand to benefit more from this. Not only does it add a unique dimension to the house, but it also will not look out of place. It provides an intimate space for people to gather inside a large home.

If you want to learn how to raise your living room floor, take some time out of your day and check the link provided below. It will tell you everything that you need to know and more:

Read: How To Raise A Floor: Everything You Need To Know!

To Wrap Up

Sunken seating area and stone fireplace with dining area

In short, you can raise your sunken living room floor. The only thing that will hold you back is your budget for the project. And depending on how large the sunken living room floor is, you can expect to pay quite a bit for larger spaces.

Did this article help satisfy your curiosity regarding sunken living room floors? If so, why not take some time out of your day to read the links provided below? They discuss other topics related to sunken living room floors:

Can You Put An Addition On A Split Level Home? [Including Adding A Master Suite]

Do Split-Level Houses Have Basements?

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