What is a mezzanine
What is a mezzanine? In itself, it is a shelf for things, separated from the common space by doors, located under the ceiling. This is an excellent solution for the corridor, because this is where most rarely used things are most often stored.
In this case, the mezzanine will help preserve free space, while itself taking up space under the ceiling above the door or in a narrow passage. In the past, such a design did not look very good, to put it bluntly, but today it can be properly decorated and will not even attract attention.
Mezzanine under the ceiling Source dizainexpert.ru
Features of a cabinet with mezzanines
Thanks to this addition, the design becomes even more spacious. The mezzanine can be located as follows - above the cabinet as a separate element or have a common structure. At the same time, it is closed by a complete door leaf. Most often, this structural element is used to store things such as suitcases, out-of-season clothing and other items that are not often used. For greater convenience, you can install baskets on the mezzanine or divide their internal space into shelves or compartments.
Rules for placing a mezzanine
You need to take into account several rules so that your mezzanine does not stand out from the interior:
- The facades and lower part of the structure must match the color of the walls and other furniture in the room.
- The finished mezzanine should not, by sticking out, block the light source, and should not be too large.
- Under the lower shelf of the mezzanine, if it is located in the aisle, a person of even tall stature should calmly pass.
- Do not overdo it with the number of upper shelves in a small room, otherwise you will visually reduce it even more.
The combination of the mezzanine with the surrounding interior Source stroy-m78.ru
What types of mezzanines exist
Having firmly decided that a mezzanine is your choice, let’s decide which one you need?
Such shelves under the ceiling are divided:
- into closed and open;
- with one or two doors;
- double-sided and one-sided;
- separate or furnished mezzanines.
Let's consider each option in more detail.
Modern mezzanine Source yandex.net
Closed and open
Closed mezzanines may have one or more doors. Moreover, the doors can be very different: folding, sliding, hinged - as you wish. A mezzanine in the hallway under the ceiling, the design of which fits into the surrounding space, will become a convenient and stylish addition to other elements of furniture.
Closed mezzanine combined with wallpaper Source sdelay-mebel.ru
With doors, this interior element will more fully match the surrounding style. In addition, this way its internal space will be hidden from prying eyes, which is more aesthetically pleasing and attractive.
Aesthetic version of the mezzanine Source masterpotolok.com
Open options are not common, because such shelves under the ceiling filled with things can look untidy. Moreover, they will quickly become a place for dust to accumulate.
Open mezzanine made of plasterboard Source homeli.ru
Open mezzanine with boxes Source yandex.net
There are also options with curtains made of various materials: fabrics, wood or glass beads and others.
With one or two doors
When thinking about a high mezzanine in the hallway under the ceiling, it is worth considering the parameters of the future design. Select the number of doors and the opening mechanism. Doors should not cling to lighting fixtures or other objects. Hinged doors are convenient, but you should think about a locking mechanism.
There can be any number of doors, the main thing is that their dimensions when opening correspond to the surrounding environment.
Mezzanine design with two doors Source po-po.ru
Double-sided and single-sided
Whether your mezzanine is double-sided or single-sided depends mainly on its location. If the space allows you to conveniently use the structure on both sides, then you can make it with two doors. This way, you will have access to all the things inside and won’t have to reach for them.
But the one-sided option is more common. In this case, access is provided only from one side, from the front.
One-sided option Source designer-info.ru
Separate and furniture
What is a mezzanine in furniture? This is a cabinet structure located on the cabinet itself. In this case, its size and shape will correspond to the cabinet.
Furniture mezzanine Source links-stroy.ru
See also: Catalog of American-style house projects with an area of up to 100 sq.m.
If this option does not suit you, then take a closer look at separate shelves installed without other furniture. This hanging structure will save space below.
Separate mezzanine above the ceiling Source dizainexpert.ru
What nuances need to be taken into account when constructing a mezzanine shelf in a sliding wardrobe
It is best if the mezzanine shelf occupies the entire upper space - from wall to wall. This makes it more convenient to install a solid panel that will serve as the bottom of the mezzanine.
Depending on the shape of the cabinet, the shape of the mezzanine shelf is also selected. If the wardrobe is U-shaped, then the shelf will be rectangular. If the cabinet is L-shaped, then it is better to install two shelves that will take up space in both compartments.
Is it worth dividing the mezzanine shelf into separate compartments? Practice shows that it is not worth it. In a space not divided by partitions, it is more convenient to store objects of various sizes. Especially if you need to push a large item onto the mezzanine. In this case, it is difficult to predict the dimensions of the individual compartments.
But if you wish, you can also install side racks that will divide your mezzanine into compartments. Then it will be more convenient to plan the placement of things, designating each of the compartments for a separate category of things.
Another important nuance is the weight of the shelf with all its contents. The larger the closet, the larger the mezzanine will be. This means the more things will fit into storage. In this case, it is important that the bottom of the shelf does not bend. Of course, the mezzanine shelf will not fall from gravity. Under the weight, the bottom will bend and rest against the bar to which the door guides are attached. Distortion of the line of guides will lead to the fact that the sliding doors of the wardrobe will simply stop closing.
You can order a wardrobe with a mezzanine, which will be equipped with separate doors. But this will increase the cost of the entire cabinet, since you will also have to pay for the installation of individual doors. It is more profitable to order a wardrobe in which the mezzanine shelf will be located behind a common door.
What material is the mezzanine better from?
Let's look at several common materials for installing mezzanines.
| Material | pros | Minuses | |
| Chipboard | Variety of sizes and thicknesses. You can finish the mezzanine both outside and inside. Low price. It can be covered with a varnished film, which makes the finished product look more aesthetically pleasing. Wide selection of colors, you can choose the one that suits you. | Contains resins that may emit an unpleasant odor the first time after purchase. Not moisture resistant. It has voids in the structure and crumbles when reused. It is easy to damage the surface when cutting it yourself, as chips are possible. | |
| MDF | Large selection of colors. Environmentally friendly material. Durable and damage resistant. Lasts a long time. | High price relative to chipboard. Heavy material. You can buy sawn cuts at a factory; the material is difficult to cut without special equipment. | |
| Drywall | Low price. Easy. Easy to install. Insensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. | Fragile, requires care when handling. It cannot be the basis for a structure, as it will not withstand the load. Requires additional support in the form of logs. | |
| Array | Natural material. Easy to process. Long service time. | High price. It reacts poorly to increased humidity and can crack and deform. Does not tolerate temperature fluctuations. | |
How to choose a place for a mezzanine
When you have decided on the materials, you need to understand where exactly the future furniture will be located. Most often, such shelves are placed above the door to the kitchen or above the front door. If you do not have a wide corridor, you can place the structure in it, and even make it double-sided.
Also, consider the depth of the cabinet. It will be inconvenient to climb into something that is too deep to get what you need. Here the solution would also be a double-sided mezzanine.
It is advisable to immediately create a drawing of the future product. Design it so that there is no gap between the cabinet and the ceiling. Dust will only accumulate in such a non-functional space.
The mezzanine occupies the entire space Source dizainexpert.ru
If you want a plasterboard product, and this material is too fragile for the loads that such structures experience, then you can simply sheathe a ready-made durable frame with it. For this you will need additional aluminum profiles. The mezzanine can be sheathed with fiberboard or even plastic panels. However, you should calculate how much additional material you will need for decoration.
You may need an edge to decorate your design. The laminated one can be glued using a regular iron, and the PVC edge can be glued with glue, so the product will take on a finished look.
Edges for decoration Source belsimplit.by
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in decorative forms and finishing materials
The walls that will bear the load from the filled cabinet must be strong enough for this. Also, the base of the product must be strong; no one wants the danger to households that such a design can create.
Be careful when drilling holes for the mezzanine. You must clearly understand where the wiring goes so as not to accidentally get into it.
Installation instructions for a stationary mezzanine
Step No. 1 - make markings and attach the support
Before you begin work on marking and installing the mezzanine between the walls, you should determine the location where the electrical wiring runs. Without doing this, there is a high probability of unpleasant consequences if you touch the cable during installation.
If it is not possible to visually locate the cable passage, use special devices, for example, an indicator screwdriver. Or better yet, use a special finder, which can be purchased at a hardware store. It will probably come in handy in the future if you decide to renovate your apartment.
First you need to make the correct markings and use them to attach the support to the place where the mezzanine is mounted
After you mark the location of the electrical wire, you can safely begin the main work. Using a tape measure and a building level, we draw a line on the wall, focusing on which we will mount the main fasteners to support the drawer.
As fastenings, you can use a wooden beam or a metal corner of the required length. Drill holes for self-tapping screws in the fastening element in increments of 15-20 cm. Attach the part to the line marked on the wall and mark the places for fastenings in the wall through the drilled holes.
We fasten the support
Drill holes in the wall using a drill, insert dowels and attach the guides to the wall with self-tapping screws. The same manipulations must be performed symmetrically on the opposite wall and above the doorway.
If you plan to cover the mezzanine with plasterboard, then you will need additional logs made of aluminum profiles. The finished frame can be sheathed underneath with plasterboard or any other lightweight material, such as plywood, fiberboard or even plastic panels. Inside there should be a solid base that can support the weight of all the things you plan to load the shelf with.
Step No. 2 - install the base of the superstructure
Using a jigsaw, you need to cut out the bottom of the future superstructure from a sheet of the material you have chosen. Today, construction hypermarkets offer the buyer a large selection of ready-made slabs of different sizes. If you have chosen chipboard, then you have the opportunity to choose a product not only by size, but also by color and immediately finished with an edge, which makes it easier for you to decorate the sawn edge. If the product still needs to be filed, make sure to purchase edge tape in advance.
We fix the bottom
Place the bottom in place and secure it to the corners or wooden slats (if you used them) using self-tapping screws. Provided that you still have the edge of the product sawed off, without an edge, then when attaching the bottom to the guides, move it forward, literally a few millimeters, to make it easier to decorate the edge. And use glue to glue the edge plastic tape, thereby covering the unsightly end.
Edge Tape Options
Step No. 3 - assembling the door frame
The next step is to make the side posts and the top of the box, on which the doors will subsequently be hung. Measure the required height from the bottom rails to the intended top of the mezzanine, or to the ceiling. By analogy with the bottom slats, attach the side posts to the walls, but use wooden beams as the material. And the last step in making the box will be the top bar, which can be attached using corners to the side posts.
Next we attach the side racks and the upper part of the mezzanine
Step No. 4 - hanging the door leaves
When the base and box of our mezzanine are ready, we just have to solve the issue with the doors. Let's look at what door options you can come up with. There may be several of them:
- swing;
- sliding;
- with lifting mechanism.
You can purchase the door leaf itself at a furniture manufacturer, or buy it at a construction hypermarket, fortunately there is a large selection. If the proposed dimensions of the finished products do not suit you, you can cut a sheet of chipboard to your dimensions and cover it with edge tape made of PVC or laminated film.
Door designs can be completely different: lifting, hinged and even sliding
The PVC edge, as mentioned above, can be glued using glue. If you take a laminated edge, you can connect it to the plate using a regular iron. The fact is that hot-melt adhesive is applied on the back side of the edge tape. All you need to do is heat a regular household iron to 180 degrees, apply the edge evenly and iron.
When the doors are ready, we will decide on which hinges we will hang them. There is a wide range of door hinges. But for the mezzanine, card ones are quite suitable for us. They do not require additional cuts, unlike overhead cuts.
We fasten the doors
Although, if you have the skill and tool to cut a niche for a hinge bowl, then this type of fittings will also be an excellent option. Attaching the facade to the card hinges is quite simple: we fasten it with self-tapping screws to the side posts using a screwdriver.
Prices for popular models of screwdrivers
Screwdrivers
Finished mezzanine with hinged doors
If you decide to make a door that opens upward, then mezzanine hinges would be the ideal option. They, like card ones, are fastened with self-tapping screws, but thanks to the spring included in their design, they allow you to fix the door in the open position.
Another good option is a folding one - for convenient opening of the door upwards and installation of a gas elevator - a system thanks to which the doors will open and close smoothly and be securely locked in the open position.
Installation of such a mechanism is not difficult, since it always comes with instructions that describe the installation diagram for fasteners. All you have to do is, after checking the diagram, fasten the fasteners to the frame posts and the inside of the sash at the required distance according to the instructions. And after installing and securing the facade, install gas lifts.
Hinged doors are also equipped with specific fittings
Another possible way to open the doors would be a sliding version. But it is not the most convenient, since access to the contents of the locker will be limited to one of the doors. For such an opening mechanism, you will need to install special rails and attach the rollers to the door leaf.
The installation of a double-sided mezzanine will be similar. The only difference is that the opening above the kitchen door is not blocked with bricks or false panels during renovation, but remains open. Subsequently, when installing the superstructure in the corridor, doors will be hung on it from the kitchen side, which will make the mezzanine end-to-end on both sides.
Option for designing a through mezzanine in the corridor
Curtains are also an idea
If you don’t want to bother installing the doors, but the open version of the shelves doesn’t suit you, then the best option, as well as the most economical, would be curtains, of course, provided that they fit into the overall design of the room.
To hang a curtain, you need to choose a suitable piece of fabric, with a margin of width so that it hangs in beautiful folds. Also take the length with a reserve, since the bottom of the curtain will have to be hemmed, and the top folded and stitched, or sewn on curtain tape.
The mezzanine can be hung with an ordinary curtain that matches the style of the interior
Next, you can hang the curtain on a fishing line, threading it through the fold and securing it with self-tapping screws to the side posts of our design, or you can hang a rail and hook it onto the curtain tape with hooks, creating cute folds. The advantage of curtains over doors is that they are easy to replace with new ones if you are tired of the old ones.
How to choose a mezzanine
If you decide to buy a ready-made mezzanine, then consider the following:
- Room dimensions. Measure the height, length and width of the room so that the future mezzanine fits your size.
- If you have a small hallway, then the best option would be a corner mezzanine. It will not take up much space, but will accommodate a lot of things and will be as functional as possible.
- Do not forget about the types of mezzanines in the interior. A closed model will best protect things from dirt and dust.
- The mezzanine should fit into the overall interior. Choose an option that, in terms of its external characteristics, will match other furniture in the hallway.
- Decide on the place where the structure will be placed, whether it will be one cabinet or several.
The mezzanine in appearance matches the interior Source stalnie-dveri-spb.ru
Photo of mezzanines in the hallway
Read here Hallway decor - carefully considered design techniques for decorating (80 photos)
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How to make a mezzanine with your own hands
If you don't find a suitable model in the store, you can always make it yourself. To do this, follow this algorithm:
- Determine for yourself where your mezzanine will be, measure the place so as not to make any further mistakes.
- Decide what material the future product and its frame will be made of. Wood or metal is often used for this. The aluminum profile is also good, it is lightweight and easy to install.
- Decide on the height. It is better to leave 2 meters of empty space below to be sure that none of the guests will bend down when entering the room.
- Next, we take up the hammer drill. The task is to drill out the wall and install dowels.
- Screw the corners to the wooden partitions using self-tapping screws.
Frame for mezzanine Source pro-remont.org
Making a mezzanine yourself.
I once already wrote about the mezzanine, but then we simply redid it, and now we will make a completely new one.
For production we will need not a lot of material and a large arsenal of tools: Material: Laminated chipboard.
Bottom.
- 840×450×16 mm – 1 pc.
- 840×450×10 mm – 1 pc.
Facade.
- 840×80×16 mm – 2 pcs.
- 310×80×16 mm – 2 pcs.
MDF door.
- 350×700×16 mm – 1 pc.
Wood slats (pine) for the frame. 2000×30×45 mm – 6 pcs. Accessories:
- Gas lifts, elevators (60N) – 2 pcs.
- External furniture hinges – 2 pcs.
- Furniture handle - 1 pc.
- The screws are different and confirmed.
What to use to close the mezzanine
An open-type design in the corridor can collect a lot of dust and it is not entirely convenient that all things are in plain sight. In this case, you need to close the mezzanine. To do this, the easiest way is to use kitchen doors removed, for example, from an old set. So the room will be transformed, become more aesthetically pleasing, and things will be protected from dirt and dust.
Mezzanine doors from a kitchen unit Source po-po.ru
If the door opens upward, make sure that it does not hit the ceiling or touch anything.
Door with folding mechanism Source www.a-dveri.spb.ru
The door opens upward Source uroven38.ru
You can also use a fabric curtain as a door. However, it has a significant drawback - it does not fit tightly to the shelf, which makes it impossible to protect things from dust.
Peculiarities
Compared to standard furniture structures, the mezzanine is often used as additional storage space for various accessories. Rarely are these items used as the main components of the interior, but the exception in this case is the corridor.
The mezzanines in this room are used to store out-of-season shoes and clothes. Often, hanging structures are used for other purposes. For example, mezzanines can be used as a storage room and placed directly under the ceiling. This option can be found especially often in small apartments where there is no additional space for storing items.
Often such spacious and at the same time compact cabinets are used in the bathroom and even on the balcony. But still, in the corridors these structures look more harmonious. They complement the interior favorably and at the same time provide additional storage space for clothes or other items.
Modern manufacturers produce several main types of this furniture, trying to focus on the characteristics of different rooms. For example, a mezzanine can be either one-sided or two-sided. In addition, models are open and closed. A good option for a small corridor would be a corner mezzanine.
The standard and most common type is the mounted model , located under the ceiling. Such cabinet models always fit favorably into the interior of the corridor. The advantage of wall cabinets is that they do not take up free space on the floor.
In addition, in modern hallway interiors one often encounters the opening model . Their peculiarity is the absence of doors. In appearance, these mezzanines resemble a furniture shelf.
As for closed models, there is a more extensive range. These structures can be double, located on both sides of the door. If there is no free space, you should pay attention to sliding models with blind-type doors.
Modular options are especially popular among modern buyers . If desired, these mezzanines can be installed on a cabinet. At the same time, the additional design will look harmonious with such large furniture.
Options for finished interiors
A mezzanine can be used in many interesting ways in design. There are many types of such furniture.
For example, you can make a shelter house for children's games from the mezzanine. To do this, you need to equip the structure with a ladder. However, it must be at a safe height.
Mezzanine for children's games Source capanna.ru
If you want to leave the mezzanine open, you can make a beautiful shelf out of it. Several spotlights will illuminate the space between the ceiling and the shelf. All that remains is to arrange your favorite decorations on the shelf.
Mezzanine in the form of a shelf Source espace-meteo.com
If space allows, you can place a real library in the mezzanine. This option will be appreciated by fans of collecting paper publications. You can cover the books from dust with a curtain that will complement the interior, or decorate them with lighting. It can be turned on on cozy evenings without using the main light source, making the atmosphere calmer due to dim light.
Mezzanine as a shelf for books Source primacdn.cz
If you place lockers along the perimeter of the corridor, it will be convenient to store in them those things that are not used during the season.
Laconic design Source design-homes.ru
Mezzanine in the interior of the corridor Source roomester.ru
Mezzanine shelf in a wardrobe: benefits of location
So the designers propose moving the mezzanine shelf into the wardrobe. Firstly, such a shelf is always hidden from view.
Secondly, in a spacious closet that stretches all the way to the ceiling, the space at the top is still empty. Previously, it was simply decorated with panels. So it is very beneficial to use all the space of this storage. There will be a spacious mezzanine.
Thirdly, it will be convenient to store the most bulky things here, from suitcases to an old TV or bags of seasonal items.
Fourthly, the mezzanine in the wardrobe will be covered with doors, which means that all things will gather less dust.
