10 Ways to Get More With Mezzanines
Whether you have just a sliver of space or a whole floor’s worth, you can create an extra living area by looking up
Jo Simmons
19 April 2017
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Floating between the ground and the ceiling, a mezzanine level is a bonus slice of extra space. Although mezzanines can work in any style of home, they are typically found either in very big, open properties — where the mezzanine bisects a lofty roof space — or in very small homes, where every inch counts and building a platform bags vital extra room.
They can be any kind of room – from skinny bedrooms tucked up in the eaves to vast living rooms suspended in front of a wall of glazing – these interesting hovering rooms are often at the cutting edge of clever design. So come with us as we climb up the stairs to a whole new level.
They can be any kind of room – from skinny bedrooms tucked up in the eaves to vast living rooms suspended in front of a wall of glazing – these interesting hovering rooms are often at the cutting edge of clever design. So come with us as we climb up the stairs to a whole new level.
1. Create a bonus bedroom
Built up and away from floor level, mezzanines can conjure room space out of thin air! This compact bedroom in a New York studio is brilliantly designed to make use of every square inch. The steps, for example, are also drawers, providing vital storage and a route up to bed at the same time.
Built up and away from floor level, mezzanines can conjure room space out of thin air! This compact bedroom in a New York studio is brilliantly designed to make use of every square inch. The steps, for example, are also drawers, providing vital storage and a route up to bed at the same time.
2. Fit in a whole floor
The steeply pitched roof of this home has been filled with a mezzanine running down its central, highest part. A bedroom, built-in wardrobes and a bathroom at the far end have been designed and decorated in pure white to tie in with the white ceiling and help the space feel light.
The steeply pitched roof of this home has been filled with a mezzanine running down its central, highest part. A bedroom, built-in wardrobes and a bathroom at the far end have been designed and decorated in pure white to tie in with the white ceiling and help the space feel light.
3. Construct a lovely library
Light, bright and elegant, this skinny slice of space has been made into a contemporary library. Natural light floods in through the enormous window, while the glass floor in the mezzanine allows more light to circulate and give the space a floating feeling.
Light, bright and elegant, this skinny slice of space has been made into a contemporary library. Natural light floods in through the enormous window, while the glass floor in the mezzanine allows more light to circulate and give the space a floating feeling.
4. Exploit a striking space
This modern house has a curved, sculptural roof as its key feature. A ramp leads upstairs and around a whole mezzanine system, containing an office on the side and culminating into a beautiful living space at the front, with fantastic views of the countryside beyond.
This modern house has a curved, sculptural roof as its key feature. A ramp leads upstairs and around a whole mezzanine system, containing an office on the side and culminating into a beautiful living space at the front, with fantastic views of the countryside beyond.
5. Get away from it all
Sometimes it’s nice to retreat to a quiet spot without completely shutting oneself away. The beautiful mezzanine living space in this converted dairy allows just that. It overlooks the open-plan living and kitchen space, but its height offers some privacy. The glazed sides keep the space looking light and unobtrusive and, of course, make it safe, too.
Sometimes it’s nice to retreat to a quiet spot without completely shutting oneself away. The beautiful mezzanine living space in this converted dairy allows just that. It overlooks the open-plan living and kitchen space, but its height offers some privacy. The glazed sides keep the space looking light and unobtrusive and, of course, make it safe, too.
6. Go all-out glamorous
Mezzanines aren’t always built into a lofty space — they can be created when the ceiling in an adjacent room is removed to create a double-height area, which the bordering rooms then overlook. This super glamorous example has a contemporary chandelier hanging above the table, level with the mezzanine, so it can be enjoyed from the side and below.
Mezzanines aren’t always built into a lofty space — they can be created when the ceiling in an adjacent room is removed to create a double-height area, which the bordering rooms then overlook. This super glamorous example has a contemporary chandelier hanging above the table, level with the mezzanine, so it can be enjoyed from the side and below.
7. Make it family-friendly
This colourful open-plan home contains a fun mezzanine for children to play in. This helps the living space stay tidy, as toys and other things can remain out of sight on a height and allows children some privacy within the communal family area. The floor space below was converted into a small kitchen and bathroom. It’s a design that maximises space beautifully.
This colourful open-plan home contains a fun mezzanine for children to play in. This helps the living space stay tidy, as toys and other things can remain out of sight on a height and allows children some privacy within the communal family area. The floor space below was converted into a small kitchen and bathroom. It’s a design that maximises space beautifully.
8. Build up in a barn
The rustic roof of this converted barn is one of its chief features. It is beautiful but also incredibly high, and while building codes might not have permitted a second floor in here, they have allowed the inclusion of a striking mezzanine. The mix of rustic original features and industrial style works brilliantly and brings this once-dilapidated barn up-to-date.
The rustic roof of this converted barn is one of its chief features. It is beautiful but also incredibly high, and while building codes might not have permitted a second floor in here, they have allowed the inclusion of a striking mezzanine. The mix of rustic original features and industrial style works brilliantly and brings this once-dilapidated barn up-to-date.
9. Cook up a cool corridor
Not all mezzanines are rooms in their own right. This one is simply the corridor leading to the upstairs bedrooms, but being able to see it from below creates a sense of connectivity in the house and allows light to flood the space.
Not all mezzanines are rooms in their own right. This one is simply the corridor leading to the upstairs bedrooms, but being able to see it from below creates a sense of connectivity in the house and allows light to flood the space.
10. Stay separate but together
Deep colours and built-in shelves make this office space on the first floor feel more intimate than the large, open-plan space below. The fact that it overlooks the ground floor creates a feeling of connectivity and flow, and the space also benefits from the natural light coming in through the double-height window beyond.
Read more:
8 Guaranteed Space Saving Solutions
Design a Room That Will Grow With Your Child
Tell us:
How have you used the mezzanine area in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
Deep colours and built-in shelves make this office space on the first floor feel more intimate than the large, open-plan space below. The fact that it overlooks the ground floor creates a feeling of connectivity and flow, and the space also benefits from the natural light coming in through the double-height window beyond.
Read more:
8 Guaranteed Space Saving Solutions
Design a Room That Will Grow With Your Child
Tell us:
How have you used the mezzanine area in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
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Great visuals. I particularly love the bonus bedroom concept.
I people who are scared of heights would use that library with the glass floor as often as they would like.