Sunken Living Rooms Are Back—but Will the Trend Really Last?

Last year, I was looking for houses in a better school district when a cute three-bedroom home in a nice neighborhood went up for sale. So, I toured it.

The place had a lot of pros and cons. I loved the backyard—but hated the kitchen. The bedrooms were all large—but the bathrooms were tiny. Though there was one feature I couldn’t quite place in either category. I wondered: was I a ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ on the sunken living room?

At first, I thought the step down into the living space was great. It created a natural separation from the entryway without stopping the flow. But I worried that, if I ever wanted to level out the floor, it’d be an expensive headache.

“From the 1960s through the 1980s, the sunken living room was the ultimate hallmark of ‘cool,’” says Denise van den Bossche, an associate broker at Realty Executives Arizona Territory. “It added drama and brought a sense of architectural flair to the mid-century modern home.”

Sunken living rooms, also known as "conversation pits," became less common as trends moved toward open-concept living spaces, with one flooring and level throughout. But lately, they've been making a comeback, says Alex Platt, a real estate broker in Florida. He explains that designers and homeowners are influenced by retro designs, and the feature has been popping up in luxury homes and even on the big screen.

But not everyone loves the trend.

“In Boca Raton, the reactions are mixed," says Platt. "Some buyers love the style and the sense of separation it creates in an open layout. Others see it as a safety concern, especially families with young kids or anyone who wants a more streamlined flow.”

But Platt says the way a sunken living room is designed, and staged, can make a big difference to buyers. “When it’s done well, it adds character. When it’s not, it becomes another item on the renovation list,” he says.

Here’s what you need to know about the revival of the conversation pit.

Sunken living rooms can be a statement design piece

Debbie Pisaro, a real estate agent in Los Angeles, says buyers love conversation pits because they can help divide big living rooms into smaller, more intentional spaces. She says buyers are tired of the “big, echoing” open-concept designs that have dominated the market and are now “desperately craving architectural intimacy and intentional, cozy spaces.”

She says it’s all part of a shift toward "broken-plan living," which uses features like a conversation pit, strategic half-walls, and interior glass doors to separate the noise and function, while keeping light flowing from room to room.

“The sunken living room isn't just a fun throwback; it’s a brilliant architectural move that anchors a space and gives a home character,” Pisaro says.

Arthur Kulchitskiy, an interior designer and the Founder of JDI Construction, based in Vancouver, WA, agrees that buyers are craving cozy spaces. He says sunken living rooms are great because they create a “snug, cocoon-like area that seems like a whole other world from an open plan living area.”

But beyond a feeling of intimacy, Kulchitskiy says sunken living rooms provide great architectural interest, affording a visual break in a flat floor plan that buyers enjoy. As an added bonus, a lower floor typically means higher ceiling, which he says can add to the aesthetic, especially when the room has big windows.

"A sunken living room can be a statement design piece when done right," Kulchitskiy says.

Safety concerns can overshadow aesthetics

While some love conversation pits, others aren’t so charmed.

“They interrupt flow, complicate mobility, and present a fall hazard," says van den Bossche says of the feature.

She explains that while age-in-place designs were originally targeted for the older generation, the philosophy has evolved to influence all buyers.

“Many buyers know you don’t have to be old for life to throw you a curveball that leaves you in a wheelchair or using a walker, even if only temporarily,” she says.

So, perhaps it's no surprise that Yoni Asulin, owner of ASL Remodeling in San Jose, CA, says he gets way more requests to fill sunken spaces in than he gets to create new ones.

“People want them gone because of safety and accessibility issues,” he says.

“While it’s tempting to romanticize the entertaining style of decades past, today’s buyers know better,” van den Bossche says. “We value open, continuous spaces that make movement effortless and safe. Nostalgia might tug at our hearts, but practicality wins the day.”

She adds: “The sunken living room belongs in design history, not in the homes of today.”

The cost to create, and remove, a sunken living room

Asulin says costs vary by location, but in his area, creating a sunken living room typically runs $10,000 to $30,000—though he’s seen it reach over $60,000 for complex projects.

“Big costs are foundation work, rerouting HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and finish work,” he says.

Meanwhile, he reports filling a sunken space costs $5,000 to $25,000, with the average project costing $12,000. A lot goes into filling sunken living rooms, he says, including adding structural fill, putting in new subflooring, and matching existing floors.

But if you’re interested in adding one to your home, the first step is consulting a structural engineer, who can assess if your foundation can handle it. 

If you move forward with the project, Asulin says to consider safety. “Invest in good lighting, clear visual markers, and railings if needed,” he says.

How to style a sunken living room

While conversation pits can be a fun nod to the midcentury, Pisaro says today’s version is a lot less shag and a lot more sleek, organic materials. Plus, the built-in furniture pieces of yesteryear are a big no-no today.

“While the original conversation pits of the midentury era were famous for their sexy, upholstered built-in seating, modern luxury buyers are demanding the exact opposite,” she says. “That permanent furniture instantly locks the space into one single style and arrangement, and if the buyer doesn't love your specific fabric choice, it becomes a huge, expensive removal project, rather than a feature.”

Instead, she says today's sunken living rooms should embrace flexibility. Pisaro recommends using freestanding modular sofas, which allow the homeowner to change and rearrange the space. Making sure it is easily customizable, “ultimately translates to higher marketability and a smoother sale,” she adds.

Beyond furniture, Kulchitskiy says most homeowners want their conversation pit to have a non-TV focal point. He recommends a statement fireplace, either floating or three-sided, with a planter that features indoor plants.

Sunken living room alternatives

Kulchitskiy says creating a conversation pit can be pricey, so many create a cozy sitting space to act as a “faux conversation pit.” 

“This would involve using a sectional sofa that has a low profile and a massive area rug that would provide a similar ambiance without altering the floor configuration,” he explains.

Asulin says another popular alternative is the outdoor conversation pit, which he says are “definitely more popular right now, and for good reason.”

He notes that these outdoor sitting areas give homeowners the benefits of indoor sunken living rooms—intimate gathering space, visual interest, conversation-focused design— without "the permanent consequences of cutting into your house,” he says.

Asulin says these outdoor pits typically run $20,000 to $40,000 depending on size, materials, and features, which might include fire pits and built-in seating. He says the big advantage to this version is flexibility.

“It’s way easier to modify outdoor hardscaping than indoor structural changes,” he says. “Plus, they're great for entertaining in temperate climates.”