Getting rid of loft space for extra high ceilings?

[Minister01]

We're at the very beginning stages of planning our renovations and not consulted an architect/builder yet. Luckily family/friends have offered to give us a hand on our new house.

I've lived in a couple of old and grade 2 listed buildings and one thing i'm struggling in our new house is that the ceilings are quite low (normal height for post 1930s) and I feel a little trapped in.

Downstairs I know we're stuck with average height ceilings but upstairs we could just get rid of our loft space and have an extra 3ft and a bit of character.

I'm guessing there's an actual reason apart from keeping in the heat for why people haven't just got rid of the loft space for extra height? Luckily we have a large garage we can use for storage of xmas decorations. I'm thinking this may be a eureka moment but i'm fully expecting someone to put out my fire... any advice please fire away.

I’d rather have the storage space.

This has been my idea for years. I'm doing it in my next and last house. I'd prefer the airiness. I will add a mezzanine to the smallest room but the other will be nice and airy.

I do not use the loft for storage anyway. Previous house left empty, as always planned to do a loft room and did so. Current house is a flip house so no point using the loft and still decluttering things.

There’s a house that has that mezzanine over a bedroom that I recently saw online. Have a look at photos 6 and 9. I think it could be cool in a more modern house (but feel sorry for the Edwardian one below).

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-90823412.html

Surely if you remove the ceiling joists the roof will splay. I think the structural implications are why most people don’t do this. Your architect or builder will be able to advise you though.

Hi OP,
I am really thinking of doing this in the smallest bedroom and adding a mezzanine (I imagine for the bed). Looking at planning portal, I don't think I will be able to extend like I planned so this bedroom will always be disappointingly small but adding a mezzanine will give it the wow factor in my head.

I think pp is right about roof joists. So it may be harder and more expensive than it first seems. But definitely doable.