Make a Room Feel Bigger by Tearing Down a Half Wall

Want more space in your favorite room? Take down a half wall with these easy steps.

Materials and Tools:

mud tray
reciprocating saw
hammer
old-time nail puller
pry bars
razor knife
scissors
utility knife
towel
putty knife
drill
shop vacuum
drywall knife
safety glasses
gloves
dust mask
drywall mud
drywall tape
drywall screws

Steps:

1. Put on safety glasses and work gloves, and then cut around the seam of the wall where it connects to the side wall. This cuts through the drywall tape, making for a neater repair.
2. Use pry bars to remove the trim.
3. The nails in the top plate will probably be pretty tough. An old-time nail puller is the best way to remove stubborn nails.
4. Next, go to work with the reciprocating saw. Cut through the top plate on either side of a vertical support stud. Remove the chunk of the 2-by-4 top plate and use a pry bar to remove the two sections of the top plate.
5. Cut along the base of the wall, horizontally, with the reciprocating saw. Once done, have a friend help you lift and remove the wall.
6. Pry the base plate from the floor using a crowbar.
7. Vacuum up the mess using the shop vacuum.
8. Smooth the edges of the cutout area on your permanent wall a drywall rasp.
9. Cut and install a patch using a power drill and drywall screws. Cover the joints of the patch with drywall tape.
10. Throw some drywall mud in a mud bucket and cover up the area using a drywall knife.