Renovation costs, Australia

How much does a living room renovation cost in Australia?

The figures below price a 25 m² living room floor in eight interior styles, plus wall paint, a style-matched light and real furnishing picks from Australian suppliers. Every total is computed from current pricing: tiles by the box with wastage built in, adhesive, grout, paint for 30 m² of walls at two coats, and laying labour at living-area rates, which sit lower than wet-area rates because there is no waterproofing or falls to work around.

Living room renovation cost by style

Based on a 25 m² floor, priced live from current supplier data. AUD, ex-GST.

StyleThe lookEstimated total
French ProvincialCream cabinetry, carved timber, aged brass, effortlessly romantic$7,144
BiophilicRaw stone, living green, timber grain, nature brought inside$7,314
ContemporaryClean lines, neutral palette, the reno everyone wants right now$7,361
Modern CoastalSandy neutrals, pale oak, honed stone calm$7,463
IndustrialExposed concrete, raw steel, black pipe, warehouse meets home$7,495
Heritage ModernPeriod bones, marble, coloured joinery, brass$7,541
JapandiWarm greige, matte stone, charcoal, zero gloss$7,593
Dark & MoodyCharcoal tiles, matte black tapware, cave-like drama$7,825
Neo-DecoCurves, fluted panels, zellige, jewel tones$7,851
Hotel LuxeBook-matched marble, brushed gold, freestanding bath$8,193
Modern HamptonsWhite shaker, honey oak, marble bench, matte black tapware$8,295
Modern FarmhouseWhite subway, shaker doors, black iron handles$8,656
Modern ClassicHalf traditional, half modern, warm, timeless, never trendy$8,896
Mid-Century ModernTerrazzo, bold colour, tapered legs, retro confidence$9,285
Warm MinimalistVein-cut travertine, warm greige, honed everything$9,853
Modern MediterraneanSun-baked terracotta, limewash, soft arches$14,746
Earthy AustralianaSage, terracotta, brushed brass, raw clay$14,796
Earthy BohoTerracotta, zellige, rattan, layered earthy warmth$15,106
Cheapest

French Provincial at $7,144. Cream cabinetry, carved timber, aged brass, effortlessly romantic.

Dearest

Earthy Boho at $15,106, a spread of $7,962 across the eight styles for the same room.

What is included: an example schedule

Here is the full line-item schedule behind the Hotel Luxe figure above. Covers floor tiling, grout, adhesive, wall paint at two coats, a style-matched pendant or floor lamp, real furnishing picks and laying labour. Demolition of existing flooring, subfloor preparation and electrical work are excluded.

Material scheduleliving room · Hotel Luxe
MATFloor: Sahara Portofino (200x200mm, polished)20 box @ $47$934
MATGrout: Kerakoll Fugabella Color 02 — Natural White for floor2 bag @ $45$90
MATAdhesive: Kerakoll Biogel No Limits (gel-technology, 25kg)4 bag @ $71$284
LABFloor tiling labour (living, supply-fix band)25 m² @ $70$1,750
FURAmalfi 2 Seater1 item @ $1,190$1,190
FURRoma Marble Coffee Table1 item @ $890$890
FURRoma Marble TV Unit1 item @ $1,490$1,490
FIXCrystal Chandelier 600, brushed gold1 item @ $589$589
FIXVelvet curtains, ink1 item @ $780$780
FIXWall paint — Dulux Natural White (low-sheen)6 L @ $16$98
FIXCeiling paint — Dulux Vivid White (flat)4 L @ $16$65
FIXTrim & door enamel — Dulux Vivid White (semi-gloss)2 L @ $16$33
Estimated total, ex-GST$8,193

On a tighter budget?

The same engine can work to a number. Give it a budget and it swaps the dearest tile lines for honest cheaper alternates, smaller formats or ceramic instead of porcelain, then steps the labour band down a tier if it still needs to. Asked to bring the Hotel Luxe living room in at $6,964, it lands at $7,531, saving $662 against the standard schedule (the closest it can get with real products). The swapped lines are flagged as budget picks so nothing is hidden.

The costs that catch people out

Demolition and skip bins

Strip-out labour plus bin hire. Allow $800 to $1,500 for a wet area, less for a dry room.

Waterproofing

Mandatory in wet areas under the NCC. Allow $500 to $900 for a bathroom, $300 to $500 for a laundry.

Contingency, 15 to 20%

Walls and floors hide things: out-of-level slabs, old leaks, surprise plumbing. Price it in up front, not after.

Lead times

Imported stone and feature tiles run 3 to 6 weeks. Order when the schedule is locked, not when demolition starts.

Frequently asked questions

Is tiling a living room cheaper than a bathroom?

Per square metre, yes. Living-area laying runs about $70 per m² against $95 in a bathroom, because there is no waterproofing, no falls to the drain and far fewer cuts. The room is bigger, so the total is higher, but the rate is friendlier.

Why do the style totals differ so much?

The floor tile does almost all the work in a living room, so the per-square-metre tile price drives the total. A large-format marble-look porcelain costs meaningfully more per box than a concrete-look tile, and over 25 m² the gap compounds.

What about timber or hybrid flooring instead of tiles?

These schedules price tiled floors, which suit Australian living areas for thermal mass and durability. Hybrid plank typically lands at a similar supply price to mid-range porcelain but with cheaper installation; engineered timber usually costs more on both lines.

What should I add on top of these figures?

Removal of the old floor covering and a skip bin, floor levelling if the slab is out, and a 15 to 20 per cent contingency. All figures here are AUD ex-GST.

Price your own room

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Keep reading

Living room renovation costs by city

Costs for other rooms

The eight styles, in depth