What is a mezzanine? Check how to build it at home

Do you want a functional and elegant interior for your house or apartment? A mezzanine is a perfect way to make the most of the potential of a high room. If you create a mezzanine, you will gain a completely new room that you can use as you wish, according to your own needs. You can organize a practical bedroom there, or a game room for your children. Consider it: maybe a mezzanine is a perfect idea for you. Add space to your interior and enjoy the spectacular effect of a mezzanine.

What is a mezzanine? Can I use it at home?

The mezzanine is an intermediate level built between two floors of a building, usually on the ground floor. It can consist of one or more rooms. It is mainly used in large industrial buildings, shopping centers and restaurants, although it can also be built in a private home. A mezzanine can serve as a home office, a small closet, or a bedroom. A good design and furnishing of the mezzanine is a guarantee of incredible results.

Entresol in your house - what should you pay attention to?

A mezzanine at home is a very practical and functional solution. Without maintaining certain security measures, it can, however, be dangerous for the people who live in the house. Before designing a mezzanine, you must first pay attention to the entrance. Stairs are important - whether winding or straight, a sturdy railing is a must, to ensure stability and protection against slipping.

If the mezzanine is not used by children, you can install a ladder instead of a ladder. Remember that it has to be stable.

Another important aspect is the railing. You can use traditional or modern glass rails. This way you can create a room that resembles a balcony. Another much safer solution (especially for children) is to enclose the mezzanine with a pony wall.

A mezzanine also needs to be illuminated - it needs a separate light kit. The type of lighting is irrelevant and depends solely on the preference of the owners of the house, as well as the purpose of the mezzanine. A standard pendant light, wall or floor lights can be used.

How tall should a mezzanine be?

A mezzanine at home is a great way to save space, especially if the apartment is small. Keep in mind that a mezzanine only makes sense in houses with high ceilings. It's great in old buildings like tenement houses. If the interior is short, such as apartment blocks, a mezzanine will only overwhelm it.

In order to get a comfortable space both above and below the mezzanine, the height of the apartment should be at least 4.2 meters.

In a room with a low ceiling, you could build a mezzanine bedroom. In this case, the height of the mezzanine could be 1.2 meters. Such a mezzanine can be built in a room about 3.5 meters high. The minimum safety height for a room with a mezzanine is 2.6 meters.

How is a mezzanine built? A step by step guide

You should start building a mezzanine from the design of a good project. Because such construction is specified in the building code, it's a good idea to get professional help. In this way you can be sure that your project is consistent with the law. To design the mezzanine, take the appropriate measurements in the room in which it is to be built.

When you do a project, you have to take electricity into account. Be sure to include a plug and good lighting on the mezzanine.

Another step is to buy all the necessary materials. A crawl space is typically made of wood, so you could, for example, visit a sawmill. Show your project to employees, and they'll know exactly what you expect.

The most important part of the construction of a mezzanine is the drilling of holes and the installation of the beams that support the entire construction. You can do it yourself, based on the construction guides. If you want to be absolutely sure that the mezzanine is 100% safe and well built, have a specialist do it for you. A professional will prepare and fix the studs to the wall, as well as secure the entire construction. The beams must be finished and then plastered.

The last step is to secure the floor to the joists and attach a ladder or step ladder.

Remember to leave small gaps between the floor panels. The humidity in the room is constantly changing, causing the wood to expand or shrink in volume. The spaces help proper ventilation.

Room with a mezzanine - design ideas

A mezzanine can be used in many ways. It is a very universal room type, so it can be easily adapted to your own needs. Thus, it can be a bedroom, a home library or a relaxation area.

The arrangement of a mezzanine depends above all on the size and height of the interior. In some cases, the options may be limited. But even a small interior can be turned into a practical space if an interesting idea is used for its design. Experts use different solutions that you wouldn't even think of.

Are you interested in some examples of interior designs with a mezzanine? We have prepared some ideas that you will surely like: check them out.

Mezzanine in a living room - a relaxing place after a long day

The most popular combination is definitely a mezzanine in a living room. It increases the functionality of the room and makes high-ceilinged interiors more welcoming. A mezzanine in a one-bedroom apartment is a good way to separate a bedroom from the living room. Thus, you can have two interiors in one room: a large modern living room and a small cozy bedroom.

Mezzanine in a bedroom - make your room more functional

A mezzanine doesn't have to be just a bedroom, it could be built into the bedroom! This solution gives you additional space, which could be used in many ways. One of the ideas that can be especially appreciated by the ladies is to create a dressing room on a mezzanine. It is a perfect solution if you have a lot of clothes that do not fit in small closets.

If a dressing room is not such a tempting solution, you can create a small study room on a mezzanine, to work, study or develop your hobbies.

Mezzanine in a nursery - a secret base for your child

A mezzanine in the children's room or teenage bedroom is becoming an increasingly popular solution, which is a perfect idea. Parents decide to build a mezzanine to save a lot of space, which is important especially if the room is occupied by more than one child.

There are several uses for a mezzanine in a child's room. If it is a place to sleep, the room has more space for a study desk. What's more, a mezzanine, similar to a bunk bed, is something really special for a child. It is a perfect place to play, where little adventurers can let their imagination run wild.

Disadvantages of a mezzanine

Although a mezzanine looks interesting in a house, it is also quite a demanding solution. Many homeowners who decide to build a mezzanine ignore important issues and potential problems that need to be taken into account.

One of the biggest problems is heating a house with a mezzanine. Hot air flows upwards, causing the need to turn up the heat. Only in this way will the temperature on the lower level, where one spends much more time, be optimal. Furthermore, since heat does not accumulate on the roof, but rather under it, using the mezzanine in winter could be problematic, as the air above could simply be too hot and dry.

Maintaining the same temperature level in the room and on the mezzanine is practically impossible. For this reason, one of the interiors will always be too cold or too hot.

Another problem could be caused by the unusual construction of a mezzanine. Being an open space, it is not completely closed, therefore it does not isolate the sounds. Music, TV sound or conversations can be heard around the house, which could disturb peace and privacy.

Despite several drawbacks, a mezzanine is a very good solution that can make your house much more functional.

What is a mezzanine?

A mezzanine, also known as a mezzanine, is a special floor level built into a room. It can consist of one or several interiors. It is typically used in private homes and also in industrial buildings and shopping malls.

How is a mezzanine built?

The construction of a mezzanine is a long process, but quite simple. You can build it yourself or have a professional build it for you. Remember that a mezzanine construction must follow the rules specified by the building code, so make sure that it is absolutely safe.