Do I have to knock it down or is there another option?
Before knocking down a wall, do remember that there will be legal, structural and designing elements to think of beforehand. If all is in place, you can think of adding in smart design elements that will make the area appear spacious and airy or alternatively, you can go in for a partial wall knock down (if you find that to be a suitable alternative). Complete wall knock down is a great option, provided safety guidelines are in place. For more, do check this blog post - https://www.hipcouch.com/magazine/10-questions-before-knocking-down-a-wall