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Removing walls, especially load-bearing walls, is a great way to update your current or future home. It won’t just be more functional – with the airflow and the sunlight – but opportunities for you to design it for your family and friends with expansive floorplans and better views. 

Here’s the thing: removing walls alone is a challenging and costly project. It requires careful planning, professional help, engineering, and sometimes permits. You also need to consider your home’s structural integrity, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, and heating and cooling systems. Don’t fear; we have a solution. 

Here at Load Bearing Wall Pros,  we’re wall removal experts serving Dallas, Houston, Austin, East Texas, and beyond. We’d be more than happy to lend a hand if you choose not to attempt removing a wall yourself.

Let’s talk through the details and what makes sense for you.

How to Decide Which Walls to Remove:

Before you have anyone begin to remove walls in your home, you need to decide which ones to remove and which to keep. Not all walls are the same, and some may be essential for the stability and safety of your home. That’s where we come in. 

Here are some types of walls that you may encounter in your home:

• Load-bearing walls: These are walls that support the weight of the roof, floors, or other structures above them. They are usually located in the center or near the corners of the house and most times run perpendicular to the floor joists or roof rafters. Removing load-bearing walls can compromise the structure of your home and cause serious damage. Don’t remove load-bearing walls without consulting a professional.
• Non-load-bearing walls: These walls do not support any weight above them. They are usually interior partitions that divide rooms or create closets. Think of any interior walls like the kitchen, living room or any family areas. Removing non-load-bearing walls is generally easier and safer than removing load-bearing walls, but you still need to check for any hidden wires or pipes that may run through them.
• Exterior walls: These are the walls that form the outer boundary of your house. The ones that you see the minute any family or friends step on the property. They are usually load-bearing and contain insulation, siding, windows, doors, and other features. Probably some of the fixtures and accents that you’ve been most proud of as you’ve built your home. Removing exterior walls is only recommended if you are planning a major renovation or an addition to your house. We recommend that you consult the best of the best before removing exterior walls – because sometimes it’s necessary, but sometimes it’s not – thinking through the design that you’re looking for, but also for the safety of those inside the home. 

Alright, you’re already an expert, but here are a few clues to look for:

• The direction of the wall: A wall is likely non-load-bearing if it runs parallel to the floor joists or roof rafters. If it runs perpendicular to them, it is likely load-bearing.
• The location of the wall: If the wall is near the center or corners of the house, no matter what the size, it is likely load-bearing. It is likely non-load-bearing if it is near the edges or between windows or doors.

This is a lot of information…

And that’s why we have professionals in the industry. We’re here around the clock to answer your questions – large and small and can either immediately assist or point you in the right direction.

How to Decorate Your New Open Floor Plan:

Step one, done. Now onto the next fun part. After removing walls in your home, you will have a new open floor plan that offers more space and light for your living areas. You can cook, you can entertain, you can relax, knowing that you’re in a safe and comfortable home. Let’s go:

It’s time to decorate your new open floor plan to create a cohesive and attractive look for your space. 

Here are some initial tips on how to decorate your new open floor plan:

• Choose a color scheme and materials that harmonize your space: Some of our readers and customers may be into Feng Shui. Great. Here’s a wonderful article to check out. Some may into minimizing; here’s a great podcast to check out. One of the opportunities of removing walls is creating a cohesive and attractive look for your space. To do so, choose a color scheme and materials that harmonize your space. 

(We love the experts above, but here are some additional baseline recommendations to make your home your own)

• Use neutral colors, such as white, gray, or beige, as the base for your walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. And use accent colors like blue, green, or yellow to add contrast and interest. Natural materials like wood, stone, and metal add texture and pull the entire look together.

• Use furniture, rugs, or plants to create separate areas: Another challenge of removing walls is making a clear and functional layout for your space. One of the easiest options is using furniture, rugs, or plants to define areas. Some of our biggest success stories have seen runner rugs, larger plants in the entrance to welcome guests and statement furniture pieces that start a conversation as you walk through the home. 
• Use lighting, art, or accessories to add personality and charm: This is huge. And there are so many options on the market these days, rotating on a seasonal basis. Whether it’s a piece that a previous generation passed on, or a whim based on a recent trend, anything that brings a smile to you at the end of the day is a big win. One of the benefits of removing walls is creating a more spacious and bright space. To make the most of it, fill your home with lighting, art, and accessories to personalize your space. 

• Display collections and knick-knacks: Show off your favorite things on shelves, cabinets, or niches. Tell the stories of your family members in whichever way you see fit. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the very good. Just ask.

Choose some of your favorite items and arrange them according to your style. You could also use a free-standing curio cabinet or another large piece of furniture to help define spaces in an open floor plan.Here are some other ideas.

• Hang curtains, blinds, or screens to create privacy or set a mood: The right window covers can change the entire look of your home. You wake up in the morning (or the middle of the night) and you want to be in the best mood to start the day. Choose fabrics, colors, or patterns for your curtains, blinds, or screens that match your decor. Hint: look here. Bonus, you’ll most likely lower your energy bills depending on what you decide on.

Let’s Recap:

Removing walls is a great way to update your home and make it more stylish and functional. By removing walls, you can create a more open and spacious floor plan that allows more light and air to circulate in your space. You will also enjoy better views and access to your outdoor areas. 

However, removing walls is not an easy DIY project. It requires careful planning, professional help, and, often, permits. You must also consider your home’s structural integrity, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, and heating and cooling systems. 

We hope this article has shown you how removing walls can make your home more stylish and functional while showing the challenges of taking it on DIY. If you are ready to start your project, we can help. Load Bearing Wall Pros is a professional and reliable contractor that can help you with all your wall removal needs. Whether you want to remove load-bearing or non-load-bearing walls, Load Bearing Wall Pros can do it for you. 

For help removing walls in Dallas, Houston, and the surrounding areas throughout East Texas visit, https://www.loadbearingwall.com/contact-us