I'm in the process of buying a house that has a slightly sunken living room—it's about 3.25 inches lower than the rest of the house. I'm concerned about this being a tripping hazard, and I'm not a fan of adding railings to solve the issue. Since my partner is pregnant and can't help out, I'm looking for DIY ideas to raise this living area safely without making a mess of the project.
My plan so far is to build up the floor using wood framing. I thought about ripping down some pressure-treated 2x lumber to about 2.5 inches high and sitting it on the existing slab, then topping it with 3/4 inch subfloor to reach the right height. To simplify things, I'm considering just placing 2x4s directly on the slab with the wide side down and stacking two layers of plywood on top, avoiding the need to cut a lot of wood to size.
However, I'm not sure if the current floor is level compared to the upper area, which could complicate things, especially if I need to use self-leveling compound—something I'd rather avoid due to added work and expense. Alternatively, I'm thinking of constructing a framed floating platform with shims or supports, but I worry it might end up bouncy if the wood shrinks over time.
I also considered filling the sunken area with concrete, but the costs and logistics (2.5 yards of concrete would be about $500) make that a daunting option for me DIY-ing this alone, especially with a tight timeline between closing and moving in.
3 Answers
You might want to check out the idea of using 2x3s instead of 2x4s. They’re thinner but could still provide the support you need. Just lay down a plastic barrier first—no need to go with pressure-treated wood. Also, remember to tapcon into the concrete every couple of feet to secure everything. That could make your build a lot simpler and still effective!
Totally random, but TIL about the 2x3s! Thanks, that's super helpful.
Have you thought about implementing a little ramp? It could totally save you a bunch of cash while eliminating the step. I’ve seen similar setups work really well without creating a tripping hazard.
That sounds like a smart idea! I have a small step in my laundry room, and it has never been a trip hazard. A little tape to mark it has helped a lot too!
I’ve got a similar height difference and I did mark it with stair tape after a couple of near falls. Definitely worth it!
I've seen people getting sunken living rooms filled in for pretty cheap around here. It's actually a common fix because many homes had this issue designed in. You might get a quote for under $2,000 for just the fill and flooring included. Some flooring companies treat it like a standard add-on, so it could be less hassle than you think!
A picture would really help clarify your situation! But I agree with ConcreteJuggler—sometimes paying for a permanent solution is worth it if you factor in the DIY plans and labor you’re considering.
I was going to try something similar, but found out one entrance was lower than the other. Now I've got a step down that people trip on all the time. I’ve marked it with a white strip to make it visible, but I still regret not addressing it sooner.