Thinking of expanding/opening out your living space for the whole family to enjoy? In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways of doing this and the best practices in ensuring your open living space has the look, feel and practicality you need. Let’s go!

How to Open Out a Living Space

Before we get into the ins and outs of designing an open living space and how to make the most of it, you’ll want to know how you can open it out in the first place.

Removing a Wall

First and foremost, having a load bearing wall safely removed by a team of professionals is a great way of opening up a living space and ultimately turning two rooms into one (alternatively you may find that knocking down a non-load bearing wall will suffice although more than likely it will be load bearing).

Of course, you can’t have a load bearing wall removed without the right assessment and steps taken first.

The cost to remove a load bearing wall tends to range from £1,250 to £1,750. Among the steps required to ensure your home’s structural integrity is maintained are applying for building regulations approval and having an RSJ installed in place of the load bearing wall. Many more steps are involved in the overall process (e.g., the steam beam must be sufficiently fire proof).

Building an Extension

Another way of opening up a living space is with an extension. If, for example, you have a living space at the back of your home, it will be possible to extend it into your back garden to help open it up.

Depending on the size and type of extension you opt for, it may cost somewhere between £45,000 and £125,000. Naturally, costs can vary based on other factors too such as your location and how accessible the work area is.

How to Make the Most of an Open Living Space

Whether you have a wall knocked down or an extension built, opening out your living space can improve its practicality, open feeling and aesthetic appeal.

Opening out a living space makes a lot of sense if you have a growing family and want more room to utilize. A living space may be purely a living room or a mix of a living room and kitchen in one space.

But how do you make the most of an open living space? This will come down to a matter of how you use it and how the space is designed after being constructed/opened up.

Sectioning Off Spaces

Since you’ll want your open living space to work for the whole family, sectioning off spaces within it makes a lot of sense. Of course, in order to get this right, you’ll need to find an optimal design.

For example, a living space may include a setup for relaxing and watching TV, a playroom, dining area or/and work at home space. It will really depend on your family’s needs and preferences.

You’ll want to consider how to effectively section off spaces for aesthetic reasons but primarily to ensure functionality and practicality. If possible/necessary, use every inch of space. You may, of course, prefer to leave some space free to allow the open living space to feel, well, more open.

Ensure an Open and Spacious Feel

Creating an open living space doesn’t simply need to be a matter of physically opening up a space. You may also want to have it designed in such a way that it enhances an open/spacious feel.

Some ways of achieving this include:

• Painting the ceiling and walls the same colour
• Use lighter paint tones for painting walls/ceiling
• Add mirrors to the space
• Do not over decorate
• Minimalist window treatments for relatively space living spaces

Get the Right Lighting

You’ll also want to ensure you use the right lighting styles for your open plan living space. Appropriate lighting can not only add character and intrigue but create the perfect aesthetic for the space.

If your living space includes a kitchen, then task lighting would make the most sense here. Task lighting serves the purpose of illuminating various surfaces which makes sense since a kitchen is largely used to prepare, cook, and serve food. However, recessed spotlights may also be used as kitchen general lighting and ideally should be zoned or come with dimmers.

Fairly low hanging pendant lights and ambient white wall lights will probably work best in the dining space. Other lights you may want to consider for the rest of the living space include floor lamps, side lamps and concealed LED strip lights.

What Else Should I Consider?

Aside from the points already raised, consider the following:

• For closing off the space consider sliding doors, pocket doors, bifold doors, or glazed walls/doors.
• Keep an open mind about a ‘broken plan’ which is more of a semi open plan – this may work best for those seeking some quiet spaces within the overall living space.
• Use the right furniture themes to achieve the ideal look and feel (e.g., warm Mediterranean feel).
• Built-in storage can also help open up a space by reducing the amount of room being used
• Vertical radiators are another way to free up space and create a more open environment for the whole family to enjoy