Don't be afraid to knock down kitchen walls ★★★★★

Published on: 28/10/2010

In your quest to create the perfect kitchen, don't be afraid to knock down a wall or two to achieve the right look.

This is the advice of Real Homes magazine, which said in its December issue that removing walls can help you create a stunning open-plan kitchen and dining area, or even a kitchen and living area.

The publication pointed out that unless you live in a listed building, you won't need planning permission to make such structural changes.

Furthermore, it claimed: "Almost any wall can be removed without compromising the stability of the rest of the property."

However, it did stress the need to consult a specialist structural engineer before embarking on any projects to make sure this will be the case.

If you're getting your ideas from TV home improvement shows though, you might want to do a little research to find out exactly how much knocking down walls is likely to cost and how much work will be involved.

Kitchen contractor Eddie DeRhodes told the Charlotte Observer recently that DIY shows can be misleading, as they don't give an accurate picture of costs and labour.