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News: Homeowners in open-plan revolution

Mon, 30 Jul 07

Open-plan living is gripping the nation, as homeowners wield sledgehammers and hard hats in a bid to redesign their houses...

According to new research, six million people have already removed at least one wall in their home (44 per cent) and almost a quarter of homeowners (23 per cent) are considering following suit.

Not content with creating open-living space in their own homes, more than a third (38 per cent) have loftier ambitions and would seriously contemplate snapping up the house next door or adjacent flat and knocking through in a bid to 'super-size' their property.

Despite so many people having already removed walls inside the home, or considering doing so, nearly one in five think it will increase the value of their home. However they may be acting with unnecessary caution.

A brave step

According to property expert, Kirstie Allsopp, open-plan living can make sense: "Homeowners should not feel afraid to knock through. It's a brave step, but if you do the job well, it can pay dividends both in terms of improving your home as a place to live in and add value for when it comes to selling it on.

“The trick is to invest your time and money wisely; get the finances in place to finish the job properly; think through the job carefully; and do your homework and do everything you can to make the property look as good as possible."

When it comes to paying for their homes to be significantly remodelled, more than a quarter (27 per cent) of British homeowners are prepared to splash out up to £10,000 to create a roomy open-plan home.

Ashley Ramsay, trends expert at Standard Life Bank, said:

"Your home is probably the single biggest investment you will ever make, which is why so many people want to spend money and time getting their property exactly the way they want it. But getting the balance between adding value and making the house a better place to live is key.

"Our research found the top reason for wanting to raze walls in the home is to create a larger, more spacious area (82 per cent). They would also be tempted to connect rooms to improve the layout of their home (62 per cent), to bring in more light (27 per cent) and to create a more sociable environment (24 per cent).

“We are seeing more and more homeowners drawing down on the equity in their home to help improve, renovate and extend their living space."

Do your homework

Before taking a sledgehammer to your walls, always take the advice of a structural engineer or experienced builder before considering doing any work, as they will be able to guide you on how best to do the job, the cost and any official consent you might need.

And make sure your plans suit your home and area; you don't want to give your home a radical overhaul that bucks the trend of similar houses.

While it's great to have a home that's unique, it's not advisable to remodel your property in a way that doesn't suit what buyers in your area go for.

Meet the neighbours

Not only does knocking on a few neighbours doors mean you might make some new friends, but having a look around similar properties will give you a great idea of what works when it comes to altering the inside of your own home.

If you see something you really like, why not ask the owners if they will sell you their plans? You could do a fantastic remodelling job without spending a fortune on an architect.

Seeing the inside of their home will also give you an idea of how much structural work needs to be done to remodel your own property and the scale of the project ahead.

Put the effort in

Running out of money, or steam, to finish a renovation or remodelling job in the home is not uncommon. Get your finances in place first, plan what you need to do and really make the effort to do the best possible job.

Don't just jump in; razing walls can be a tricky process, especially if they are load-bearing walls that support the structure of the house.

A serious structural job is not a DIY task and best left to a professional builder (be sure to get an experienced builder with good references). A well finished home is not only a pleasure to live in, but it can be a dream to sell.

Using the space wisely

Rather than having a few big reception rooms, why not go open-plan for the living area but make some smaller rooms to serve a specific function?

A small home office or a utility room can be a godsend in a busy family home and can appeal to like-minded buyers. As you are creating a whole new space in your home - perhaps with partitions, new windows or skylights - an architect can be well worth the money to help make the space work well and look really impressive.

Be brave!

There is a lot to consider when you think about going open-plan in your home; like whether you want to keep the original features of the room or make a modern fresh start, and whether you want to go for functionality or style.

Although open-plan can be the ultimate in flexible and stylish living, there are some compromises required which you should consider before starting work. Losing separate rooms mean you will sacrifice some privacy, they can be harder to heat and noise echoes more.

You must go with what suits your lifestyle and be brave; knocking down walls and radically changing your home is big step, but can be incredibly rewarding when the dust has gone and you're gazing around your new-look home!

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