Sometimes the only way to accommodate all functional areas in a small studio is to arrange a second tier under the ceiling. This is a stylish solution that has recently become very popular among owners of small apartments. But how to properly arrange the second floor? When repairing, you need to take into account several important nuances.
Functionality
When trying to arrange an additional tier in a room, you will first have to take into account the height of the ceilings. We are talking not just about a mezzanine for storage, but about a full-fledged living space. Therefore, in an apartment with high ceilings (it would be simply impossible to create a second floor otherwise - there won’t be enough space) you need at least four meters of height. And better - more.
On the second floor, in a room with high ceilings, you can create an isolated bedroom, if the dimensions of the room allow it. A person in a sitting position occupies about one meter. For comfort, at least 15-20 centimeters should remain above the head at both levels, the same amount will be required for the tier design. Ventilation and lighting can lower the ceiling.
Selection of materials
The second floor in high rooms must have a safety margin to withstand the weight of the furniture located on it and the people who will spend time there. The modern market offers opportunities to furnish a dream apartment for almost any budget. The base of the structure can be made of wood, chipboard, metal, reinforced glass or polycarbonate. A full second tier cannot be made without soundproofing the floor: you will need mineral wool or balsa wood.
Staircase design
The second floor in a high room should be not only functional, but also safe, so it is very important to choose the right staircase. Small spaces require compact solutions, which are unlikely to be the safest, but there are smart options. The height of the step should be approximately 16 cm, the depth of the tread should be 26 cm.
In a small room, ladders or ladders or goose-step structures will help save space. Under the latter you can equip a bookcase or a small storage space. Extension ladders take up very little space, but such options are contraindicated for families with small children and those who doubt their dexterity.
Arrangement of the upper tier
Particularly relevant in small studio apartments is the organization of a sleeping area on the second tier. This solution can withstand both asymmetry and the slope of the ceiling, because it is located under the roof itself. If space allows, a good option would be to be on the second floor with a bedroom adjacent to the bathroom. This reduces daily traffic and creates an environment for getting ready for bed in the evening and waking up efficiently in the morning.
The sleeping place can also be placed differently at some elevation in relation to the main space - by equipping a podium. Such a second floor in a room with high ceilings (about 3 meters) will allow you to organize spacious storage systems. On the podium you can additionally place a compact workplace or a coffee table and a shelving unit for a comfortable pastime before going to bed.
A more expensive option is a corner or U-shaped arrangement of functional areas on the upper tier. This will require more space on the lower level and significant costs to implement. But the result will be several segments for arranging a library, a living room, a gaming area, a place for comfortable reading, playing on a console or watching TV. Expanding the space significantly increases the possibilities of spending time.
Rational arrangement of square meters - organizing the second floor in a room with high ceilings for an office. Quite a bit of space will be needed to set up a desk and arrange bookshelves. If the space allows, then for convenience you can add a small sofa, several comfortable armchairs and a shelving unit.
Arranging the space below
The space under the stairs and the second tier can be used in different ways. Depending on the footage, you can make a wardrobe, a bookcase, a niche for a small office, or organize a passage to the bathroom. If space allows, then good options for a studio apartment are a kitchen or a full-fledged wardrobe. It is important to consider that the second floor in a room with high ceilings limits the space below and may prevent sunlight from entering there.
Important little things
High ceilings and a second floor go well together in modern small studio apartments. But in an ordinary city apartment it is difficult to organize a structure at the top, which will be equal in area to the lower tier. Rather, the top floor will resemble an insulated or open interior balcony. In this context, it may not be clear why a separate HVAC system is needed, but if you ignore the question, you may encounter unpleasant surprises during the operation phase.
Warm air rises, so the second tier is guaranteed to be hotter and stuffier than the first. It is better to entrust the air conditioning system to a professional who will competently organize ventilation for a specific project. A good solution for the second floor is transom windows for ventilation.
Even if there is a strong light source in the main room, the second tier will need additional lighting. Lighting depends on the needs and the specific project: if you plan to equip an office, you will need an overhead light, and if we are talking about a sleeping place or a rest room, then you can get by with LED lamps or battery-powered lamps based on them, which are attached to the ceiling or wall, and can be easily dismantled if necessary.
Bureaucratic nuances
The second floor in a room with high ceilings most likely will not be officially approved by the BTI. Legalization of redevelopment (especially something as unusual as the arrangement of the upper tier in a city apartment) is a very complex and time-consuming process, but a competent lawyer will help you find a solution. Even the organization of a mezzanine is considered to increase the area of the room. Each region of the Russian Federation has its own characteristics in this issue, so everything needs to be decided individually.
Price issue
In a room with high ceilings, the second floor (photos of different arrangement options are in the article) can be equipped to suit any budget. The least expensive options are purchasing a loft bed (this solves the issue of the structure, stairs, organization of space on the second tier and below) or a structure made of chipboard. Solutions made from reinforced glass look very stylish, but it will cost a lot of money. A significant expense item is the ladder.
If we are talking about a loft bed, for example, then you can spend 30 thousand rubles. Typically, such solutions are offered for children's and teenagers' rooms, but a suitable option can be found for a studio. There are beds with a comfortable work area underneath or ample storage space.
Of course, there is no way to make a multi-level redevelopment in a standard Soviet-built apartment. But if, for example, you are planning to build a new house, then, given current land prices, such an option will give you the opportunity to significantly increase your living space. This kind of reconstruction is also good in “old buildings”, in houses with high ceilings. It will not only expand the space, but also use one room for different purposes.
The second tier of the apartment can become a true decoration of your home, and will also help solve emerging planning problems. You can easily place a bedroom, library, work area or winter garden on it.
Created by designers Jose Maria Saez and Daniel Moreno Flores, this option is made of natural wood and is located above the kitchen-dining room. Neat, quite original, with natural light through a panoramic window, in our climate zone it is quite suitable for a summer home or as a second floor in a cafe.
In the house proposed by architect Carter-Williams, the bedroom located on the second level creates the visual feeling of a studio apartment.
This small (only 29 square meters) Polish apartment by the design firm 3XA on the second floor has a bedroom with a huge bed located directly above the bathroom and hallway.
In the renovation project of the Oriental Warehouse Loft, a historic building in San Francisco, specialists from the Italian House Studio by Studioata completely converted the attic, which was completely unnecessary in the apartment, into a living area. Architects Edmonds and Lee introduced a bedroom, bath and library on the second level. Here the space is increased due to glass railings and transparent walls in the bathroom. Which, of course, deprives the owner of such an apartment of privacy, but at the same time gives a feeling of freedom. The combination of heavy timber beams and exposed old brick with sleek, light modern finishes, clear glass panels and a weightless steel staircase makes the house a little strange, but absolutely unique and inimitable.
Dark walls, a white ceiling, the contrast of wood and metal, a sharp division between the main space and the additional level are presented in this apartment in the Unité d’Habitation, a famous house in Marseille built by the architect Le Corbusier.
Here is another option for two-level housing, presented by the Italian company Studioata. Clearly separated from the rest of the space by a contrasting wooden shelf and accented by a floating staircase, this home office adds personality to an otherwise ordinary studio apartment.
This unusual bathroom was created by the Dutch architects Leijh, Kappelhof, Seckel, van den Dobbelsteen. In this work, the upper floor is again converted from the attic of an old house.
The project of Maxim Zhukov is also interesting. It has a rough combination of gray stone, wood and metal. A floating staircase, a simple platform that seems to hang freely above the bed and the correct orientation to the windows make the home office very unique.
This apartment was created in the attic of a former convent located in Val-d’Ois north of Paris. The cozy seating area here is located above the kitchen and spacious dining area.
Such an apartment in Toronto is offered by the design firm Buildall Construction. The upper level is represented by a bedroom above a spacious dressing room.
The balance between dark floors, white walls, glass railings and a floating oak staircase is all in the design of the famous American architect Paul Rudolph.
A creative bathtub above a luxurious bed is presented by the English company Wells Mackereth. At the same time, the bed, located under the upper tier, is located as if in a niche, which undoubtedly adds intimacy to this free and bright room.
An elegant office with clear lines is ideal for people working at home. Thin railings provide more light, as if expanding the boundaries of space and filling the entire room with light and air.
Soft lines, glass railings and, again, a classic combination of white and black make this penthouse, presented by London design firm Foster & Partners, look like a space station from a science-fiction film.
Another very nice option, in which the kitchen-living room is located downstairs, the bedroom is upstairs, and huge windows are an ideal solution for a small space. White walls, giving more light, suit any interior, but they look especially elegant here, in a room with a small footage.
Another bedroom option, romantic, the second level of which is presented in the form of a terrace. Glass railings do not interfere with the beautiful view from the window.
Transparent fencing is simply the perfect option for any small space. Here the upper tier is represented by a living area located above the kitchen and dining room.
Combining the warmth of wood and the vigor of greenery, the second tier can stand in stark contrast to the rest of the room. For such a spectacular decor, you can use both live and artificial plants.
And this is an excellent room option for a teenager. In such a room, the second level allows you to create a spacious sleeping area, leaving space below for bookshelves and a seating area.
And another option on the topic of how to fit a comfortable free bed in a modest area.
Here's another version of a duplex apartment with glass railings, created by Spanish designer Luis Puerta. A great way to expand your home while separating different rooms.
With a dining room and kitchen downstairs and a sitting area upstairs, this house was converted from a Wiltshire chapel.
“Nothing superfluous” is the motto of Japanese designer Naoko Horib. The second level here is delimited by two internal balconies.
The dining room is downstairs, the library is on the second level and the bedroom is on the third. Such an excellent solution is feasible, however, only in a room with really very high ceilings.
A spacious bed connected to the main room by an almost airy spiral staircase. Bright spots against a background of white and steel. All this gives the small apartment a modern, stylish and completely individual look.
This distinctive apartment with a library under the stairs, designed by Marc Koehler Architects, is converted from a former port pub in Holland. Very atmospheric!
White space, light kitchen furniture, a bedroom above a snow-white bathroom - this is another option for increasing the space from the Airside design bureau.
An example of an apartment in Gothenburg demonstrates how a second level and good design can significantly increase your apartment size. In this project, you can note large windows and white walls, which, as we said above, visually expand any space.
The contrast of black and white, a small second level for a relaxation area (or maybe a small boudoir?), floating white stairs growing straight out of thin air make this bedroom elegant and romantic.
A chic, contemporary design based on the standard combination of white, wood and metal. A wonderful bedroom under a sloping roof. Broken lines and gorgeous accessories. This masterpiece was created in Stockholm.
Thus, having seen so many wonderful, unique and completely different options for two-level apartments, we can conclude that multi-level rooms, white color, glass and a lot of natural light are an excellent way to expand the space if necessary.
To arrange the second level in the apartment you need to have high ceilings. This solution will allow you to significantly diversify the layout of the interior of the apartment. What rooms can be placed on the second level? There could be a study with a view of the room below, a home library with a staircase from the living room, a play corner in the children's room. Everything needs to be done correctly in order to get the desired result and not disturb the harmony of the room space.
The second level in the apartment is also called the mezzanine.
Dimensions of the room for the second level device
The main size that is taken into account when constructing a mezzanine will be the height of the room. It depends on the height which rooms will be located under and above the mezzanine. The minimum height of the room for a second-level device should be 3.2 m. In this case, you can arrange a storage room under the mezzanine, and a sleeping place on top. To install two full floors, you need a room height of 4.60 m.
As I said above, the functional purpose of the spaces under and above the mezzanine will depend on the height of the room. In order for there to be a comfortable and functional space under the mezzanine, the height from floor to ceiling of the mezzanine should be 2.2 m. The height above the mezzanine should be the same if there is a workplace there and you plan to spend a lot of time.
If you plan to place a wardrobe or storage room under the mezzanine, then a height of 1.8 m will be quite enough.
A sleeping place requires a height of 1.2 m. Why is this so? The average height of a sitting person is 1 m. Add to it the height of the mattress and blankets, and this is another 0.2 m. The sleeping place should be made shallow. Let's do the math. The width of a single mattress is 0.9-1.0 m, a double mattress is 1.4-2.0 m. To this width you need to add another 0.3-0.4 m to make room for a cup, book or other things. But, unfortunately, a bedroom in which it is impossible to stand up to your full height will be uncomfortable. Also at the top there is somewhat difficult air exchange, which has a bad effect on health. The way out of this situation would be to create a two-level mezzanine, that is, with a step. On the lower level you can change clothes, for example, put on pajamas. The space under such a mezzanine can be organized as a workspace with a closet or pantry.
Selecting the height of the mezzanine
When installing the second level, do not forget to take into account the thickness of the mezzanine structure itself. On average, the thickness of the beams with the floor will be exactly 0.2 m.
Stairs to the second level
To install a staircase you need a lot of free space. A staircase with a step height of 170 mm and a tread depth of 280 mm is considered comfortable. To climb to the second level we need 14 steps, which is 3.64 m of the length of the staircase in plan. In addition, for comfortable movement along the stairs you need a landing platform.
What to do if there is very little free space? In such cases, you can use the option with an attic-type staircase, which will be less convenient. Climbing up such stairs is more or less convenient, but descending is not, since you have to go down facing the steps.
The mezzanine consists of supports and beams on which the floor is laid. Beams and supports can be made of wood or metal. Metal elements require welding or fastening with bolts, and, therefore, such a mezzanine will be difficult to construct. But its appearance will be more elegant, due to the fact that the metal structures are more durable and their thickness is less. Wood will make everything look more massive.
The floor can be made of wooden planks, chipboard, polycarbonate or reinforced glass. To soundproof the mezzanine floor, you can use mineral wool, then the floor will not act as a drum. The room under the mezzanine can be covered with plasterboard, decorated and painted.
For a modern interior, a combination of materials such as glass block and stainless steel will be interesting. Wood is used for the classic mezzanine.
A mandatory element of the mezzanine is a balustrade or fence. The height of the fence should be higher than the person’s center of gravity, which is 1.1 m. For a small mezzanine, such a fence will seem too large, so it can be reduced to 0.9 m. The material of the balustrade must necessarily match the character of the interior. It is possible to use forged or wooden balusters, stainless steel pipes and others. Practice shows that wooden fencing is more pleasant to the touch.
Mezzanine ventilation
Perhaps this place will be the most stuffy in the entire house or apartment. We all know that warm air moves upward, which means that sleeping conditions will not be entirely comfortable. Therefore, it is worth thinking about forced ventilation or making some additional structures that increase air circulation.
It’s good if there is a ventilation duct where the mezzanine is built, then the ventilation problem can be solved very quickly. If the second level is located in the attic or in a one-story house, then the exhaust duct can be run through the roof.
As an alternative solution, you can use a ventilation duct to combine the mezzanine room with any other room with the installation of flexible steel pipes and an additional fan. Still, it is better to consult a specialist in this matter.
There can be two lighting options: daylight or artificial light. It all depends on the functional purpose. If only the sleeping area is located on the second level, then there is no need for daylight. But for a study or library you need to provide good natural lighting. This may require making changes to the wall structure, breaking through a window opening, or installing a light tunnel.
Artificial light must be on the mezzanine. This can be solved by conducting electricity and selecting lamps that match the interior.
The second floor in a city apartment, be it a full room or a compact bedroom, is a trend that is increasingly found in interior design. Take a closer look at yours: maybe an additional floor wouldn’t hurt you? True, in order to build it, you will have to take into account a number of subtleties.
Step #1: Assess the room's capabilities
The first and main requirement that you will have to take into account when trying to build an additional tier is the original height of the ceilings. If we are talking about a room, and not just a mezzanine for storage, the ceiling should be at least four meters (or better, higher, and in this matter there are no limits to perfection). For you to feel comfortable, there should be 15-20 centimeters of space above your head at both levels, and the same amount will go into the thickness of the tier structure. Please note that as a result of ventilation systems in the apartment, the ceiling may lower.
However, if you dream of a bed under the ceiling, these requirements can be smoothed out a little. Calculate the optimal ceiling height on the second tier, based on the fact that a person in a sitting position takes up about a meter of vertical space, the above 15-20 centimeters are needed for comfort, and the design of the bed and mattress also have their own thickness.
Step #2: decide on the material
Regardless of what functionality you decide to provide to the second floor area, the tier must be strong enough to withstand the weight of the structure located on it and the people who will spend time there. Modern technologies offer options for any budget: the supports and base of the second floor can be built from wood, metal, chipboard, polycarbonate or reinforced glass. If you are planning a full second floor, consider soundproofing the floor: it can be done using balsa wood or mineral wool.
Step #3: think about the ventilation system
Your second floor is unlikely to be equal in area to the first - such a structure is too difficult to build in a city apartment. Rather, it will resemble an internal balcony - isolated or open, at your discretion. In this context, many at the start of work do not understand why the second level needs a separate ventilation or air conditioning system - and therefore they are faced with unpleasant surprises at the start of operation.
The fact is that warm air always accumulates at the top - remember the school physics course. So the second floor is guaranteed to be more stuffy and hot than the first floor, even if you haven't completely insulated the space above. It is logical to entrust the installation of air conditioning systems to a professional who will connect flexible pipes to a remote ventilation duct or build ventilation for a specific project. Transom windows will serve as a good help for the second floor box.
Step #4: Light up the second floor
Even if the room has a strong source of central lighting, the second tier will most likely need individual lighting. The degree of illumination depends on your individual needs: if we are talking about an office, most likely you will have to use the ceiling space and organize overhead lighting.
If we are talking about a bedroom or lounge area, you can get by with “little money” - and lamps based on them or battery-powered spots that are attached to the ceiling or wall and can be easily dismantled if necessary. The last option will especially appeal to perfectionists who are annoyed by extra wires.
Step #5: Choose your stairs wisely
In order not to risk your health by equipping the upper tier, it is important to choose the right staircase. Small spaces, of course, will require a compact solution (which, however, is unlikely to be the safest). An extension ladder takes up the least space, but it is contraindicated for families with small children, as well as for anyone who doubts their dexterity. However, there are other compact and much more reasonable solutions.
When choosing a staircase, proceed from the fact that the height of the step should be approximately 16 centimeters, and the depth of the tread should be 26 centimeters. The higher you need to climb, the longer the staircase will be - and in this case, goose-step stairs or structures on rails will help save space: under the former you can arrange a bookcase or storage systems, while the latter take up little space due to the fact that they can be bend. Another idea is a spiral staircase. True, with all its charm, such a design can hardly be called the most convenient.
Many owners of apartments and rooms with high and low ceilings have been faced with the problem of compacting their homes in order to optimize their living space through a more rational use of housing volume.
The design of the second tier in the room is individual, since each planning solution is individual. Thus, each tier we make is exclusive.
Very often, old housing stock has high ceilings and small usable room area. The owner of a room in an old communal apartment has to solve the difficult problem of combining a bedroom, a work area, a storage area and a recreation area in his space.
For those who have children, the rational use of an apartment also becomes relevant in the absence of the possibility of expanding living conditions.
The solution in such a situation is the second tier in the room. The second tier helps solve various problems. On the second tier of the room you can place a sleeping place. The bed on the second tier will essentially consist of a comfortable double or single mattress. On the second tier you can organize storage of seasonal items that are not often used. The second tier in the room can become a work area where you can concentrate on business and study.
You can make a second tier in a room quite quickly and not very expensive. The reliability of the second tier design will depend on the materials used and the contractor. To manufacture the second tier in apartments and rooms, we use a variety of solutions based on the technical specifications and the required budget. Calculations are made by specialists with engineering and technical education, and execution is carried out by qualified specialists.
The second floor in a small room significantly transforms the living space.
In the photo: Wardrobe-bed “Attic-1250” in a small apartment.
The second floor in the children's room helps solve the problem of combining sleeping rest with a play and work area for children of kindergarten and school age.
A second-tier adult bed allows parents to visually seclude themselves from other people present in the room.
Making a second floor in a room is possible using various materials. The choice of material depends on the estimated budget.
The most popular option for the second floor in terms of cost is the use of dry planed boards 40 mm thick.
The estimated cost of work on the manufacture of the second tier (floor) in rooms and apartments ranges from 2900-3500 rubles. / m2.
The turnaround time for work is usually 1-5 days.
The photo shows options for making the second tier in the room.