Knock Down Walls for an Open Concept Kitchen-Living Room Makeover

Do you dream of a spacious, airy home with connected living spaces? Removing the wall between your kitchen and living room can help make that dream a reality. Transforming these two separate rooms into one open concept area provides many exciting benefits. An open floorplan not only looks modern and stylish, but it also improves natural lighting, creates better flow for entertaining, and makes small spaces appear larger. However, before you knock down walls, it’s key to understand the details of the process, including determining if your wall is load bearing and the costs involved.

We’ll cover how to assess if your wall is structural, the method for removing both load bearing and non-load bearing walls, design ideas for finalizing your open concept space, and the pros and cons to weigh. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to determine if a kitchen-living room wall removal is the right option to achieve your open concept dreams.

Determining if Your Wall is Load Bearing

The first step is figuring out whether the wall dividing your kitchen and living room is a load bearing or non-load bearing wall. This will significantly impact the scope of work and projected costs.

What are load bearing walls

Load bearing walls support the weight and structure of your home. They transfer weight from the roof and upper floors to the foundation. Load bearing walls typically run vertically through the interior of a house and are parallel to the roof trusses or floor joists above.

Because load bearing walls are integral to structural integrity, they cannot simply be knocked down without implementing other reinforcements. Some common indicators that your wall is likely load bearing include:

• The wall has thick wooden pillars, posts, or steel columns
• The wall runs the entire length of the house
• There is a beam running perpendicular across the top of the wall
• Cracks appear in the ceiling or the ceiling begins to sag when temporarily removing the wall

Hiring professionals to evaluate

Due to the complexity involved, it's highly recommended to have a structural engineer, architect, or experienced general contractor assess whether your kitchen-living room wall is load bearing. Trying to remove a load bearing wall without the proper reinforcements risks severely compromising your home's structure.

The right professionals will also be able to design and execute the needed structural changes to remove a load bearing wall safely. This may involve installing an adequately sized horizontal beam, adding vertical columns or posts, or reinforcing the ceiling joists.

Non-Load Bearing Wall Removal

Overview of process

If your wall is confirmed to be non-load bearing, the removal process is less complex than a load bearing wall. Since the wall does not support structural weight, there is no need for added reinforcements.

However, completely removing a wall still involves careful preparation and execution. You'll need to disconnect and reroute any electrical, plumbing or HVAC running through the wall. Then the demolition, debris removal, and finishing work to blend the new open space must be handled with care.

How to remove non-load bearing walls

Here are the basics steps for DIY removal of a non-load bearing wall:

1. Inspect electrical - Label all wiring and outlets, then disconnect and cap wires.
2. Turn off water lines - Shut off valves and disconnect any plumbing in the wall.
3. Prep work space - Protect floors, cover vents, move furniture.
4. Demolish carefully - Knock down drywall using sledgehammer and pry bar.
5. Remove debris - Clear all drywall chunks, insulation, wood pieces from space.
6. Install new elements - Add any needed framing, drywall, trim work.
7. Paint and finish - Blend joint between rooms with fresh paint.

A key step is carefully demolishing the wall in controlled sections to keep debris localized and avoid damaging existing walls or finishes.

Cost to remove non-load bearing wall

For standard drywall partition walls, homeowners report costs ranging from $1,500-$3,000. This assumes you are DIYing most of the work or only hiring help for demolition. The non-load bearing wall connecting your kitchen and living room likely falls into this range if wiring and plumbing modifications are minimal.

Load Bearing Wall Removal

Structural changes required

When removing a wall identified as load-bearing, structural reinforcements become mandatory. This commonly involves installing a horizontal steel or laminated beam that spans the length of the former wall.

For multi-story homes, new vertical columns may also be needed under major beams for added support. The ceiling or roof above the load bearing wall will also need some reinforcement with additional framing and ties to rafters or trusses.

Step-by-step process

A typical process for removing a load bearing wall includes:

1. Disconnect electrical and plumbing lines
2. Install temporary supports for the ceiling above
3. Remove drywall to expose inner wall structure
4. Install new horizontal beam and vertical posts
5. Add framing reinforcements in ceiling/attic above
6. Complete demolition once supports in place
7. Patch floors, ceilings, and finishes
8. Paint and install trim

This complex project has more considerations and requires greater precision. Most homeowners opt to hire contractors to remove load bearing walls safely.

Associated costs

The cost to remove a load bearing wall ranges from $4,000 on the low end up to $25,000 for a complex project. The exact price depends on factors like:

• How much of the wall must be removed
• Number of floors in your home
• Need for special engineering design
• Access challenges to install reinforcements

A structural engineer costs $200-$500 to assess the project. Their plans then help contractors provide accurate quotes for the full removal costs.

Finalizing Your Open Concept Space

Design and layout considerations

• Place furniture to delineate spaces while maintaining an open feel.
• Create functional kitchen zones for prep, cooking, and cleanup.
• Incorporate a breakfast bar for casual dining and conversation.
• Allow adequate walking space between furniture.

Decor tips

Decor can help the kitchen and living spaces feel cohesive. Some ideas:

• Choose one wall color to paint both rooms.
• Use the same flooring materials and patterns.
• Add architectural details like columns or arched openings.
• Repeat colors and textures with accessories.

Improving lighting and acoustics

To address common open concept drawbacks, strategic lighting and furnishings can help. Ideas to try:

• Add recessed and pendant lighting for task and ambient needs.
• Layer rugs and textiles to absorb sounds.
• Install thick drapes to soften noise transmission.

The Pros and Cons of an Open Concept

Weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks will help determine if an open concept aligns with your lifestyle and needs:

Benefits

• Spacious, airy aesthetic - Removing walls creates continuous space flooded with light.
• Natural light - Sunshine can enter from multiple rooms’ windows.
• Entertaining ease - Guests can flow freely between living and kitchen areas.

Potential drawbacks

• Less privacy - Conversations and noises transmit more without barriers.
• Sound transfer - Appliances, kids playing, and TVs echo through open areas.
• Lost wall space - Wall cabinets and shelving no longer available.

Decide if an open floorplan aligns with your lifestyle by weighing factors like:

• Your current layout, furniture footprint, and flow.
• How you entertain and use kitchen vs. living spaces.
• Your budget for potential structural changes.
• Whether resale value outweighs compromises.

An open concept achieved by removing walls between the kitchen and living room can help create a light-filled, free-flowing home. But understanding the costs, structural considerations, design impacts, and trade-offs is essential. Use this guide to make informed decisions about your wall removal project.