A mezzanine is an ideal interior design solution when you want to maximize the height of a home or when you need to create more space. It’s very popular because it doesn’t require invasive construction work, but it allows you to increase the size of your property.
Intended use: habitable mezzanine or non-habitable mezzanine?
When discussing mezzanines, it’s important to keep in mind that they can be habitable or not, depending on the height above and below the structure. Indeed, regulations require specific height parameters, as well as those regarding light and ventilation, to be taken into account. These parameters are established by regional laws and municipal regulations: for a habitable mezzanine, it must have a height of at least 430-440 cm, including the floor of the structure, so as to provide a space of at least 210 cm both above and below the structure, which can be used as a proper extra room. If the height is insufficient, it is considered uninhabitable. In this case, it cannot be used for functions that allow for prolonged occupancy, but it can be used for storage, a closet, or a laundry room.
Another element to take into consideration when deciding on a mezzanine is the size it must have, in fact, it cannot exceed 1/3 of that of the room in which it is located.
How to build a mezzanine
Having established the regulations governing the construction of a mezzanine, it’s time to focus on the different types of mezzanines. The structure can be built in different ways, depending on the style of your home and your personal taste. We can identify three construction techniques: metal, wood, and concrete.
The metal mezzanine has a structure anchored to the walls, but, depending on the type of wall, it may require support posts. The walking surface is made of wood or sheet metal and is then covered with any type of flooring, again depending on your personal taste.
Finally, the masonry solution: the mezzanine is built using the traditional technique of reinforced concrete beams, brick tiles, and plasterboard infill. The advantage of this is that it is free from the effects of vibrations, but the disadvantage is that it requires the typical construction time of traditional construction.
When designing a mezzanine, it’s important to consider the dramatic staircase and railing. When choosing a staircase, you can opt for a linear or spiral one. If you choose a linear staircase, it’s best to position it to the side of the room to take up as little space as possible. A linear staircase doesn’t necessarily have to be made of metal or wood and empty; it can serve as a decorative element and storage space. In fact, many staircases designed to reach a mezzanine are designed with storage steps or as the top base for a bookcase or cabinet. The spiral staircase, on the other hand, is designed to maximize the space above and below the mezzanine.
Ideas and solutions for the mezzanine
As mentioned previously, there are many possible uses.
Assuming the mezzanine is habitable, and therefore 210 cm high, depending on the size, it can be used as a guest bedroom, a living room, or a study. For example, if you have a mezzanine of about 30 square meters, it would be ideal to create an additional room with the necessary amenities: a bathroom and a walk-in closet. It’s always a good idea to pay attention to heights, especially when dealing with a pitched roof: in this case, the living space will be limited, but it will be possible to exploit the lower heights with custom-made furniture, wardrobes, or storage units.
A 15 square meter mezzanine is ideal for a suspended living room, perhaps positioned above the kitchen, separating the food preparation and eating area from the conversation and relaxation area.
Finally, a 10 square meter mezzanine is ideal for a small study, a reading nook, or a respectable walk-in closet.
An alternative to the traditional mezzanine is a raised platform. This is designed to free up space even when the height doesn’t allow for a full-fledged mezzanine. For example, by designing a platform in a bedroom, the sleeping area could be raised by about 120 cm and the space underneath used as a closet or chest of drawers. This way, current height regulations do not need to be met, since the upper section only contains the sleeping area.
A mezzanine is therefore an optimal solution for freeing up space in a high-ceilinged home. It will provide additional living space to meet all the needs of the home’s residents. An in-depth analysis by Inside Project, an architecture firm in Verona and online architect.