Maximise space with a mezzanine

Need extra floor space for a study or guest bedroom? Want to add a little wow factor to your home? The only way is up.

What is a mezzanine?

A raised floor or split-level within a room. Don't fret, they're not just the preserve of swish restaurants or Italian villas. Grand though they sound, in their humblest form mezzanines can cost just a few thousand pounds - picture a small kid's bedroom reached by a ladder.

Why choose a mezzanine?

Outgrown your home? Forced to work from your bedroom? A split-level makes savvy use of space and natural light. Architect Gregory Phillips introduced a mezzanine in this slick modern apartment (right) to hold a bedroom and bathroom. ‘It allows the bedroom to benefit from the light and view from the sloping glazing and creates a dynamic double height space for the living room below,' he explains. Conran & Partners have used similar planning prowess at Niki Club East in Japan. By introducing a bedroom split-level to the double volume pavillion (below) they have ensured optimum flow of light and space.

Where are they suitable?

Rooms with high or A-frame ceilings. The mezzanine height from floor to ceiling should be 2.1 metres minimum. If you don't fancy scaling a ladder to reach it, you'll need to factor in space for a staircase.

What can the space be used for?

Anything from a simple walkway or living area to a bedroom or study. Interiors expert Phil Kind (of Sheerhome.co.uk) uses the mezzanine in his London apartment for a dining area. ‘The split-level is what makes it,' he says. 'It opens up what could otherwise be quite a pokey space and connects the two floors in a sociable way; I can be cooking dinner in the kitchen and carry on a conversation with everyone upstairs.' Make sure the space is planned to hide unsightly cables or clutter.

What materials should you choose?

‘It is best to opt for materials that are lightweight and easily absorbed into the current room design, which in practice often means timber and steel,' says architect Eva Jiricna. This ensures the mezzanine doesn't dominate the space. To prevent obstruction to light flow and to create a super slick look, use glass panes as balustrades.

Are there any pitfalls?

‘A mezzanine works when aural privacy between spaces can be ignored,' says Gregory Phillips. Keep shrill voices and heavy footsteps to a minimum with sound-absorbing soft furnishings and carpets. Got young children? Make sure levels and stairs are properly enclosed with balustrades. And consider structural implications. To avoid disaster, the fabric of the building must be strong enough to bear the load of the mezzanine. Always employ a qualified professional. Read mydeco's guide to finding the perfect architect.

Images:
1) Duplex apartment designed by Gregory Phillips. © Paul Smoothly
2) Pavillion at Niki Club East. © Conran & Partners

11 December 09