Why Fall in Love With Cantilevered Design
Whether you want unobstructed views or just a little more legroom at breakfast, cantilevered design extends your options
A cantilever is a protruding beam that’s supported on only one side. Rooted in physics and structural design, a cantilever can be a stunning architectural element or just a clever way to add a little more light to a room. Discover how designers are incorporating cantilevers in home design, in both major and minor ways.
Architectural carports
A longer cantilever like this one is an expensive feature since it takes substantial engineering and proper load calculations, but the effect is truly dramatic. A cantilevered second floor of this scale also creates a functional carport, allowing visitors to park under it or providing a dry space to unload groceries.
A longer cantilever like this one is an expensive feature since it takes substantial engineering and proper load calculations, but the effect is truly dramatic. A cantilevered second floor of this scale also creates a functional carport, allowing visitors to park under it or providing a dry space to unload groceries.
A room with a view
This glass-encased room was cantilevered to open up a view that would have been obstructed otherwise. On this waterfront property where wind and snow are concerns, extra care was taken to select specially engineered double-paned windows designed to withstand gusts.
This glass-encased room was cantilevered to open up a view that would have been obstructed otherwise. On this waterfront property where wind and snow are concerns, extra care was taken to select specially engineered double-paned windows designed to withstand gusts.
Nature’s glow
A cantilever’s rigidity is a product of both material selection and length of the beams. Shorter beams tend to be more rigid because they’re closer to the anchoring point. That’s why this bump-out, which is technically a cantilever, seems so much less precarious. But even this little bump-out allows for windows to be added to three sides of it, creating a cosy window nook awash in natural light.
A cantilever’s rigidity is a product of both material selection and length of the beams. Shorter beams tend to be more rigid because they’re closer to the anchoring point. That’s why this bump-out, which is technically a cantilever, seems so much less precarious. But even this little bump-out allows for windows to be added to three sides of it, creating a cosy window nook awash in natural light.
Interior Insights
So far we’ve scoped out several exterior views of major cantilevered undertakings. Let’s turn our attention now to the interior of the home. Cantilevered kitchen bench tops, bathtubs and furniture are growing in popularity as homeowners continue looking for ways to personalise a space and push the design envelope.
Island hopping
This dramatic kitchen island features a mahogany wood top with a long steel support underneath that is wedged a few feet into the concrete island. It can be used for a number of purposes, including dining, food preparation, reading or kids’ homework. It’s also a good example of accessible design since a wheelchair can glide right up with no obstacles.
So far we’ve scoped out several exterior views of major cantilevered undertakings. Let’s turn our attention now to the interior of the home. Cantilevered kitchen bench tops, bathtubs and furniture are growing in popularity as homeowners continue looking for ways to personalise a space and push the design envelope.
Island hopping
This dramatic kitchen island features a mahogany wood top with a long steel support underneath that is wedged a few feet into the concrete island. It can be used for a number of purposes, including dining, food preparation, reading or kids’ homework. It’s also a good example of accessible design since a wheelchair can glide right up with no obstacles.
Sensational staircase
Cantilevered stairs provide a sense of mystery with their structural support system hidden inside the wall. Floating stairs like these usually are easiest to incorporate into a new build rather than a renovation, because significant work needs to be done to create a strong framework within the wall that will accept the hidden half of the planks. Stairs can be hazardous enough in the best of cases, so ensuring that floating stairs are structurally rigid is essential.
Cantilevered stairs provide a sense of mystery with their structural support system hidden inside the wall. Floating stairs like these usually are easiest to incorporate into a new build rather than a renovation, because significant work needs to be done to create a strong framework within the wall that will accept the hidden half of the planks. Stairs can be hazardous enough in the best of cases, so ensuring that floating stairs are structurally rigid is essential.
Stylish space-saver
This cantilevered table and bench next to a meadow is a modernist take on a cosy cottage breakfast nook. With no need for support legs, a cantilevered table and bench is a great space-saver that provides more leg room than a standard table and bench.
This cantilevered table and bench next to a meadow is a modernist take on a cosy cottage breakfast nook. With no need for support legs, a cantilevered table and bench is a great space-saver that provides more leg room than a standard table and bench.
Bathtub bliss
A bathtub is heavy enough, but when you clad it in Caesarstone and cantilever it from the shower stall, you better have a talented engineer to make sure it will hold its weight. Designer Jeffrey Douglas calls his decision to add a cantilevered tub to this Canadian bathroom “a fun and functional solution for a bathroom with limited space.”
A bathtub is heavy enough, but when you clad it in Caesarstone and cantilever it from the shower stall, you better have a talented engineer to make sure it will hold its weight. Designer Jeffrey Douglas calls his decision to add a cantilevered tub to this Canadian bathroom “a fun and functional solution for a bathroom with limited space.”
Kid approved
Bunk beds can be bulky, so instead of taking up the entire wall with a standard furniture-store model, Bates Masi Architects designed clean-lined minimal sleeping quarters, complete with bookshelves with rungs on the front that can be used as a ladder. There is no wasted space here and no visual clutter, making this room feel serene in its starkness.
Read more:
8 Materials Perfect for Driveways and Home Pavements
Why uPVC Windows Are All The Rage
Tell us:
How do you feel about these daring designs? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Bunk beds can be bulky, so instead of taking up the entire wall with a standard furniture-store model, Bates Masi Architects designed clean-lined minimal sleeping quarters, complete with bookshelves with rungs on the front that can be used as a ladder. There is no wasted space here and no visual clutter, making this room feel serene in its starkness.
Read more:
8 Materials Perfect for Driveways and Home Pavements
Why uPVC Windows Are All The Rage
Tell us:
How do you feel about these daring designs? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Sponsored
Whether they’re protecting you from the elements, creating dramatic views or just adding a little more light, architectural cantilevers provide a bevy of benefits.
Protected walkways
This home’s second floor is offset from the first floor in a way that creates an overhang. Overhangs, of course, offer the benefit of shielding north-facing windows from the glare of midday sun. They also provide a covered walkway to keep you dry on rainy days.