Knock down walls 'to create extra space'

Anyone considering creating extra space could remove one of their home's walls, it has been claimed.

Representatives of the South West Homebuilding and Renovating Show have suggested that adding or removing walls are great ways of manipulating the space in your property.

"Start by producing accurate scale floor plans so that you can see how space is currently used and identify potential," they advised.

Pretty much any wall can be removed but a non-load bearing one is "easier and cheaper to alter".

Taking down a wall between two small rooms can create one single room of a decent size.

Furthermore, knocking down a dividing wall between a north-facing room and a south-facing area can bring extra light into the home and create one large south-facing space, intersites.co.uk has suggested.

Homeowners can also recycle space by subdividing existing rooms or converting areas that are not currently being used, such as the loft, garage or cellar, the show's organisers said.