5 things to consider when you plan an open-plan home in London

When you go for rear or a side return extension in London, you can redesign your ground floor to an open-plan living space. Deciding to knock down walls will give you a bright and flexible place to work with. Before you start your project, you have to think through several things, including your budget, options and lifestyle.

1. Walls

It is possible to make almost every home in London open-plan. However, you have to consult with a structural engineer first. You need professional advice before removing a wall that carries load. A steel beam, also called an RSJ, is usually inserted to carry the weight the wall was taking. If you need advice, feel free to contact us as we have an extensive list of industry contacts, including Structural Engineers.

2. Plan ahead

What spaces do you want in your open-plan? We advise you to create a kitchen, living room and dining zones within the open-plan. You have to think about how you want to arrange these zones within the plan. Will the children disturb you if the kitchen sits next to the living area? You have to take into consideration your lifestyle. Our interior design team can help you with the floorplan, as we always consider our clients’ lifestyle.

3. Dividers and half walls

An open-plan floor does not have to be one undivided room. Room dividers and half walls give you privacy without closing the space down. Crittall windows do the same job and suit a period house.

4. Lighting

You have to think about lighting. When you create an open-plan space, some part of the room is floated with light. However, some areas will be darker. Hence, you have to think about how to provide natural light. Roof lights, lanterns and skylights are a good solution for this problem.

5. Heating

When you go for a large open-plan, extended ground-floor room, there are some factors you have to consider. Large rear windows and doors, plus the extra volume, make the room harder to heat. To avoid very high bills, consider getting floor heating. You can choose between electric systems, called dry, and water-based systems, called wet. Electric systems are easier and faster to install, but their running costs are higher. Consider installing an electric system to smaller spaces such as bathrooms. When it comes to an open-plan living, wet systems are more suitable. A wet system could potentially reduce your heating bills as it uses the existing boiler system.

There are many other things to consider before you start knocking down your walls. For example, if you live in a terrace or a flat, some alterations to your home could affect your neighbours’ property as well. This means you may need a Party Wall Agreement. Redesigning your home is a project that involves a lot of responsibilities. Always consult with a professional before you get into a home renovation.

NU Projects offers design and build packages that cover the drawings, the approvals and the construction. We work with structural engineers, quantity surveyors, mechanical and electrical engineers and party wall surveyors. If your project needs a specialist we do not hold in-house, we appoint one on your behalf. Tell us about your open-plan project, or price the work with the cost calculator.