Light, Space & Shiplap: A Bold DIY Living Room Transformation on a Budget

Aimee Deley
Jul 30
3 min read

Updated: Jul 30

First Home Flip: Living Room Renovation

The Backstory: One Wall Down, A World of Light Gained

When we bought our first flip house, the living room felt more like a hallway—dark, closed off, and disconnected from the rest of the home. We had big dreams for that space, but not a big budget. What we did have? Grit, YouTube tutorials, and toddlers climbing up our legs.

The first major change was demoing the wall between the kitchen and living room. That single decision completely changed the flow and feel of the entire main floor. It brought in so much natural light and gave us the open-concept dream we were after.

And just like that—demo was done, the vision was clear, and the snacks were running low. This was the beginning of our DIY living room transformation on a budget!

BEFORE

Step-by-Step: DIY Living Room Reno (with Toddlers Underfoot)

1. Open Up the Space

Demo’d the dividing wall between kitchen and living room (after confirming it wasn’t load-bearing, well okay it was before confirming- but I knew Kody could deal with my spontaneous choice consequences).

2. Paint, Patch, and Prep

Patched drywall, filled holes, and sanded the walls.
washed the walls
Gave the entire space a fresh coat of classic grey (spoiler: this color hides fingerprints better than you'd think).

3. Install New Flooring

Installed budget-friendly laminate click-and-lock flooring throughout the main level. (Waterproof, kid-proof, and looks like real wood? Sign us up.)

4. Design & Build the Feature Wall

Designed and built a fully custom framed-in entertainment center, including:

Electric fireplace
TV mount
Shiplap finish
Floating mantle
Open oak shelves & floating mantle

5. Decorate: Budget-Friendly Finishing Touches

Once the hard work was done, it was time to warm it all up and make it us. We turned to our trusty budget MVPs—IKEA, HomeSense, and a few thrift stores—and pulled together a clean, cozy, layered look with:

4 IKEA curtain panels, a black curtain rod, and clip rings for a modern, soft frame to the windows
Pillow covers, faux plants, and neutral-toned plant pots from IKEA for easy, kid-friendly texture
A beautiful coffee table from HomeSense that tied in the wood tones from the mantle and flooring
Thrifted picture frames and shelf decor that added personality and warmth
A soft, patterned rug from Wayfair that anchored the room and tied everything together
We purchased the couch and loveseat on sale from a local furniture store
Kody took a chance on a $500 Walmart special TV on boxing day, and I had to apologize after a few months- it was a good gamble and the TV held up over time.

The best part? The color palette we stuck to—greys, whites, and natural woods—flowed seamlessly between the living room and kitchen. With the wall gone and everything connected, we were finally living in an open-concept space that looked intentional, light-filled, and full of life.

CLICK HERE TO ASK ME FOR MY PAINT COLOUR & STAIN MIX UPS FROM THIS DIY PROJECT

We’ll walk you through exactly how we installed the shiplap in our upcoming DIY Shiplap Tutorial, so stay tuned (or subscribe to The DeleyDownload to be the first to know when it drops!)

💡 Reference Post: DIY Shiplap Feature Wall

Budget Breakdown:

Total Cost = $3,300

Here’s where it all went:

Furniture: $1,800
Lumber + Shiplap + Fireplace: $900
Decor & Floating Shelves: $500
Miscellaneous: $100

Life in a Reno: Toddlers, Tools & Total Chaos

Let’s be real: renovating with toddlers is not for the faint of heart. There were plenty of snack breaks, toddler meltdowns, and “where did I set that paint can?” moments. But this project also became a family memory. Our kids danced on the subfloor, helped paint, and when we look back at photos our kids will say this was their favourite place to be.

We didn’t just build a living room. We built the heart of our home—and we did it with sippy cups in hand.

What’s Next?

We're sharing the full DIY Shiplap Wall tutorial soon—including the tools, tips, and what we'd do differently. Trust me, if we can do it with kids everywhere and a $3,300 budget, so can you.

Stay tuned! We are about to share the next DIY room renovation from The First Home Flip!

Want updates on new tutorials and reno projects? Subscribe to The DeleyDownload Newsletter – our monthly roundup of projects, tips, and chaotic inspiration.

We finished off the space with the perfect rug from Wayfair—a soft, neutral piece that added just the right amount of texture and warmth to ground the room. Its subtle pattern tied in beautifully with our gray, white, and wood palette, pulling the whole space together without overpowering it. It’s kid-friendly, cozy underfoot, and the final touch that made the room feel complete. Shop the rug here.

AFTER