Taking down walls can compromise your home’s structural stability. Consequently, altering your interior, erecting walls, or removing partitions to change a room’s size or use all require a building permit.
Creating an open floor plan can make your home seem more spacious. It’s also far less private. Children have more room to romp, it’s true – and to bump into furniture or get underfoot when you’re cooking. Those grating kitchen noises and odours may be even more irritating without any separation.
Furnishing and lighting open spaces also takes more thought. Will you place seating in the far corner, near the windows overlooking the garden, or is that where you bring in groceries, the dog, and kids? Where will you put your office or reading nook?
In contrast, dividing walls give rooms definition, and help keep stuff organized. Besides, you’ll need some way to hold up the roof. Hiring an architect, interior designer, or experienced home contractor can ensure you plan a redesign that makes it past town bylaw and inspection requirements.