LATERAL THINKING

Moving house to gain more space is not always an ideal solution. Changing the way you think about your existing house might be simpler, more cost-effective and certainly less disruptive than moving. Jo shows us how…

Find new space A different approach and some clever design could allow you to maximise the potential of your current home. Start by looking around for ‘dead space’ then think about ways to create new rooms or areas. Consider landings, airing cupboards, walk-in wardrobes, the loft or cellar – these are prime examples of areas that can be repurposed.

Check your walls There are two main types of walls in your house: load-bearing and partition. Partition walls are made from a structure of timbers clad in plasterboard and are built entirely to divide up a room. You can test if your walls are partition by knocking them – if they sound hollow they are. If you’re unsure, check with a builder. If you’re confident, you can remove these walls yourself with a sledgehammer (it’s very satisfying!), but remember there will be some remedial work required afterwards.

Open up Load-bearing walls are solid walls that support the weight of the floors above. Removing them is a major job and requires a professional. A builder and structural surveyor will assess the requirements of the load and install appropriate supports to bear this once the wall has been removed. Acrow props – tubular steel supports – are often used. Then putting in an RSJ (rolled steel joist) takes the load from the floor above. Although this is significant structural work, it’s quite common and will make a huge difference to the space, literally opening up areas to give you more scope. It may seem expensive but you will have a home that meets all your requirements and needs as a family – and it’s a lot less costly than moving…