This paper aims to explore the renewal design of traditional dwellings in Nanjing from the perspective of visual experience, solve the phenomenon of "rapid rise, rapid fall and rapid renewal" in Nanjing in recent years, and improve the quality of traditional dwelling renewal and explore ways of cultural heritage. The theory of visual experience was used to analyze the texture of materials, space and culture in renewal design, and the renewal design of Nanjing traditional dwellings was discussed. From the perspective of visual experience, the design strategy applicable to the renewal design of Nanjing's traditional dwellings was found, and the renewal design scheme of Nanjing's Yangliu Village's traditional dwellings was completed, in order to provide theoretical basis and support for similar designs in Nanjing and provide design strategies for practice. Based on the visual experience, the way of cultural heritage can be analyzed and a user-centered multi-level design strategy can be built to enhance the experience of traditional dwelling design, inherit historical context and stimulate the vitality of the village in a thorough way.