Make the second floor with your own hands. How to make the second floor in an apartment Study, library or small workshop

Apartments with high ceilings, but a small living space, are often found in old houses that are in many cities and were built in the middle of the last century. Therefore, their owners, cramped by living conditions, often consider options on how to make a second floor in a room with high ceilings in order to accommodate a sleeping place, a home office, storage systems, or allocate a recreation area. With a good location and equipment with everything you need, including furniture, lighting, and, if possible, ventilation, you can get a completely functional area or another, albeit small, but living room.

The secret to the popularity of bunk apartments

The reasons why the arrangement of multi-level housing is so in demand are different, but the main ones are:

  • two-level layout of apartments of modern construction, which allows you to place various functional areas;
  • redevelopment, when a former industrial building with high walls and large windows is converted into a residential one;
  • construction of a private house in a metropolis, then due to expensive land, homeowners try to use the height of the building with maximum benefit;
  • arrangement of apartments in old houses, which are small in size, but very high ceilings, which makes it possible to make the upper level in them.

If earlier the device on the second tier was considered as the main use case sleeping place, now for those who want to expand the useful space with their own hands, many exclusive projects are offered. For example: living room, study, library, playroom.

The device under the ceiling of the berth

A modern studio apartment or the first floor of a private house is increasingly a spacious room in which it is necessary to arrange a living room, kitchen, dining room, but there is no space for arranging a separate room or bedroom. If the height of the ceiling allows, it would be a mistake not to try to make the upper level and place a sleeping place there. Since most of the time will pass in a horizontal position, low ceilings, a large slope, a distance from windows are not a significant obstacle.

If there is free space near or at the bottom of the bedroom, it is quite logical to place wardrobes or other spacious storage systems, to equip the play area. For this reason, the equipment of the children's room is very attractive, then the child will have a personal corner where you can go about your business away from the rest of the household.

Even if the space is very small, and it has an asymmetric shape, it is enough to set up a bed or put a high mattress. And then, despite the low walls and ceiling, a child who is sitting or lying down will be quite comfortable.

Study, library or small workshop

Equipping them on the upper tier and rationally using free square meters is a logical decision, especially if all segments of the room already have their own functionality. The top floor acquires exceptional importance when an apartment or house has a very modest area and every free meter counts. In this case, several tasks can be simultaneously assigned to him at once - to serve as an office, a resting place, a library, a workshop, an area for receiving visitors.

For installation book shelves, a desk, a station for doing creative work, very little space is required. If there is free space on the second level, then you can add a couple of comfortable chairs, a small sofa or another table. But a room that is too small is not suitable for such purposes, since its area may not be enough to accommodate the necessary furniture and the location of the steps.

Fence selection

The most widespread are the railings made of glass. They are quite durable and reliable, but at the same time they completely freely let in sunlight, which is important condition for upper tiers located away from window openings.

More compact designs made of metal in the form of thin tubes, rods, with the addition of forged products. The form can be completely original, it all depends on the direction of the style in which the room is sustained, and the desire to highlight the enclosing element or make it unobtrusive in the general space of the room.

The base and fastening of glass screens are metal, wooden frames or handrails. But some models consist exclusively of glass, therefore, they seem to dissolve the fence and, expanding the space, give the room a light, weightless image.

The staircase is an important element of the interior

The multi-stage structure is an integral participant in the arrangement of the second floor. In addition to its main function, it should harmoniously complement the existing interior and not contradict the general design concept.

One of the simple ones, practical ways access to the upper level is considered a ladder made of wood, metal. But due to the absence of railings and the presence of narrow steps, it has the lowest degree of safety. In addition, older people and young children may have difficulty lifting.

The best option is one-flight wooden ladder... Since one side of the march rests against the wall, and the railing is attached on the other, it is considered completely safe. V modern interiors glass panels are installed as a fence for the stairs and the second tier, which look easy and visually expand the internal space, but provide reliable protection... This solution is perfect for modern trends room decoration or classic style.

A staircase made of a metal profile, small diameter tubes, forged elements, with wooden grades looks solid, thorough, but at the same time light and stylish. Moreover, such structures freely let sunlight into the lower and upper zones.

What to look for when arranging the second tier

Before making the second floor in a room with high ceilings, it is necessary to draw a row preparatory activities... Think over to the smallest detail how it will look, decide on its functionality, draw up a sketch. If possible, consult with a specialist in terms of the choice of material, design and how to properly carry out the work.

The size of the room and the height of the ceiling play an important role. The acceptable minimum value is 3.2 meters, but the higher the better. The choice of the design of the second tier, its purpose and the possibility of installing furniture depend on this. To go upstairs, you need a ladder. Given the availability of free space, this is either a full-fledged flight of stairs, or a retractable system, which is quite convenient and takes up less space.

Since the add-ons, so that they do not interfere with the entry into the room sunlight, are located away from windows, then additional lighting is needed. For this reason, light colors are preferable for decorating living space, which visually remove the feeling of "low ceilings".

Considering that it is always warmer upstairs, special attention should be paid to ventilation, for which you can provide for the installation of a fan or correctly distribute the direction of air flows from the air conditioner.

The most convenient material for processing at home is wood. When choosing it for arranging the second floor, it is necessary to do the following operations:

  • assemble a solid frame from the beams (directly on the floor, or immediately fixing it to the walls using brackets);
  • lay beams on it;
  • cover the floors (fit wooden planks, Chipboard);
  • make a fence about one meter high (from any material, but inserts from special glass look very respectable);
  • install a ladder (its size, shape and placement depend on the characteristics of the room).

Instead of wood, they often use metallic profile and rental. Since they are thinner, the design looks neater and more modern. All work by preparing necessary tool and material, you can do it yourself.

Making a two-story room out of an ordinary room is not the dream of almost every person?

Making a two-story room out of an ordinary room is not the dream of almost every person? This is especially true in small apartments.

How to make a second floor in a room

A full-fledged second floor can only be built if the ceiling height in the room is at least 4 meters. Majority modern apartments cannot boast of such values, and therefore it is possible to organize an inferior second floor-mezzanine.

For example, if you remove a sleeping place there, then a significant amount of space will be freed up in the room.

How to do this and where to start?

How to calculate the parameters for the second floor in a room

As mentioned above, for the equipment of a full-fledged second floor, the ceiling height should not be less than 4 meters. And how much space is needed to equip a berth on the second tier?

It's easy to calculate. In a sitting position, a person occupies a height of about 1 meter, we add to this value the height of the bed, the width of the mattress and blanket, and another 20 centimeters. It turns out that the second tier must be at least 1.2 meters to the ceiling.

The resulting space under the mezzanine on the lower tier must be at least 2 meters. However, this value can fluctuate in different directions, depending on how this space is supposed to be equipped.

How to make the second tier in the room

The second tier is created with:

  • supports;
  • beams;
  • stairs;
  • floor;
  • balustrades (fences).

In most cases mezzanine is made of wood.

Ladder plays an important role in achieving a harmonious combination of the first and second tiers. Ideal is one with a step height of at least 15 cm and a depth of at least 26 cm. However, such a staircase will take up a lot of space and can simply load the space a lot.

Small spiral staircases or attic staircases are sometimes used. It should be borne in mind that the latter are not very safe, especially if there are children in the house.

A special role in the equipment of the second tier in the room should be assigned balustrade... It must be reliable and prevent a possible fall if a person, for example, stumbled. Fencing should be well thought out if there are small children at home.

How to make a second floor in a room. Ventilation and light

These parameters are very important if it is planned to equip a sleeping or workplace... As you know, warm air always accumulates under the ceiling (especially during the heating season). If you do not think over the ventilation, then sleeping in the stuffy atmosphere will be simply unbearable.

Ideally, if the second tier will be equipped near the ventilation grill. If this is not possible, then you need to contact professionals who will combine the second tier with ventilation system by using flexible pipes and a fan.

High ceilings not only create the impression of spaciousness in an apartment or house, but also provide an opportunity to arrange a second floor in order to expand the functionality of the room.

This is especially true for houses of Stalinist construction, where the ceiling height can exceed 4 meters. In a small apartment, built mezzanines will provide you with additional space, and in a large house - they will make your interior interesting and unique. This solution will help to increase the usable space in the room up to 2 times.

So where to start realizing your dream?

First of all, you should correlate your desires with your capabilities. Therefore, first you need to accurately measure the height of the ceilings and if the ceiling is too low, it may be better to abandon this idea. Before building a second floor in a room with your own hands or with the assistance of specialists, you need to determine the following parameters:

Location

Residential mezzanines can be built above the entrance, above the bathroom, or against the far wall. When choosing a place to create additional square meters under the ceiling, it is imperative to take into account the location of the window, since the structure should not interfere with the penetration of natural light.

Square

The size of the mezzanine depends both on the total area of ​​the room and on the characteristics of its use. For example, a single bed will be smaller than a full bedroom with an oversized bed.

Appointment

Most often, mezzanines serve as the basis for a berth, but in some cases they also equip a seating area with a sofa and a light wardrobe. Also on the second floor you can equip a library or a small office.

Ladder

In order to save the useful space of the room, the stairs are most often made single-march with a rather steep rise. Some build steps, others limit themselves to rungs.

Arrangement of the second floor

For creating reliable design, which will fit well into the general atmosphere of the room, it is necessary to develop a sketch. At this stage, the advice of a competent specialist will help you: a knowledgeable master will design a structure and select materials, advise how to make a comfortable second floor.

Basically, the construction of mezzanines includes the following stages:

  1. creating a solid frame from beams;
  2. filling the frame with beams;
  3. fixing the structure to the walls and floor using brackets;
  4. finishing works - flooring;
  5. installation of a fence (about 1 m high);
  6. installation of stairs.

Beams can be wood or metal. In the first case, it will be easier for you to complete the installation, and in the second, the structure will turn out to be thinner and stronger. Metal beams are usually welded together.

Ventilation and lighting

As warm air accumulates under the ceiling, a prerequisite comfortable being on the second floor becomes efficient system ventilation. Therefore, even at the planning stage, you should pay attention to the remoteness of the mezzanine from the ventilation shaft or consider the possibility of ventilation using flexible pipes and an electric fan.

The required level of lighting is determined based on the purpose of the mezzanines.

  • If there will be a bedroom or living room, small lamps may be enough.
  • If you plan to work or read in the under-ceiling space, then you need to create an imitation of natural light: for this purpose you will need more powerful lighting devices - chandeliers and table lamps.

The second floor will give you extra space for spending time in a room with high ceilings and, if properly designed, will look very fresh and original. The main thing is to realistically assess your capabilities and, if you do not have experience in creating such structures, turn to professionals.


As it was written in the previous article, when buying an apartment with a ceiling height of 4.5 m, I immediately knew what it would be. The second level is sometimes called a mezzanine or ramp.

On the second tier, you can arrange a bedroom, an office, I even thought about making a large bathroom. But being married and a harsh man I decided that on the second level there would be a bedroom and a dressing room, in a 50/50 ratio.

Here I will not talk about the convenience, practicality or design of duplex apartments. An article about the choice of material, calculation of the load, height and cost of work on the installation of metal structures in an apartment.

When I put things in order in the apartment, two or three "masters of their craft" came and offered their services. The funniest thing was to make a mezzanine out of wood. To my question "How to fasten to the walls?" he, with full understanding of the matter, answered with "Self-tapping screws for wood" ... Into a 7 cm thick aerated block partition ... Straight genius of engineering

For reference, there is a special fastener for the gas block. I hope that this grief master did not overlap anyone in our house. Money is not a pity, the main thing is that the structure does not collapse.

Material selection: If there was a large corner bath on the second floor, it would be a channel. But after analyzing the maximum load, having weighed himself and his wife, the choice fell on a profile pipe 3x40x80. This is also due to the struggle for every centimeter.

Profile tube load

Please note that this table shows the maximum load taking into account the span length. Even if the excess weight is at least 1 kg, then this will lead to deformation. shaped pipe. The safety factor should exceed the design load by 2-3 times.

Height calculation: We will spend most of the time in the kitchen (1st floor), again, when guests come, they will also be located in the kitchen, and not in the bedroom. It was unanimous to make the first floor 225 cm, and the second 190 cm (height to the rails).

Features of installation of metal structures:


Cost of work: The approximate cost of this metal structure in Rostov-on-Don, together with the material for today 50,000 rubles... It includes consumables, fasteners, delivery services and movers.

The apartment with high ceilings a priori has big amount advantages, even if the second floor has not yet been built in the room - it looks lighter, more spacious, its very atmosphere becomes favorable for the residents. But if you decide to start a renovation, then the issue of wall decoration and lighting equipment arises. Everything becomes important, even such trifles as the length of the curtains. Accordingly, much more materials will be required for finishing than for repairs. an ordinary apartment... Therefore, it is worth seriously thinking about creating a second floor, because the height allows such work to be carried out, due to which the usable area will immediately increase by 20-50%.

A suitable ceiling height for arranging the second tier in an apartment is about 4 m (in a usual low typical apartment- 2.4m). The upper floor can be made not too high, because it is usually used for sleeping or passive relaxation.

Technical requirements

To organize the second tier, high ceilings alone are not enough: this also requires a very strong bottom ceiling that can support the weight of your superstructure. The commission of the architectural department and the housing inspection will help to find out whether your apartment is suitable for this kind of redevelopment, without their permission it is in no way possible to carry out work, this may entail fines and the need to return the housing to its original form. If the commission approved the possibility of redevelopment and the creation of a second floor, then the next step is to draw up a construction plan. What you need:

  • Room area on the second floor;
  • Number of supports;
  • The location of the supports in the apartment;
  • Estimated level of floor loading.

The load is calculated based on what exactly you want to turn the second tier into. If it is small, then it makes sense to place only a bed there, and if there is a lot of space, then on the second tier it is quite possible to arrange dressing room or even equip a library or study.

By design, the second tier can be different: sometimes it is placed along the walls of the apartment, along the perimeter of the room, sometimes it is made in the form of a balcony along one wall - everything here is limited only by your imagination.

Design and interior in the apartment

Thinking over how to beat the second tier and the interior in it, do not forget that it should fit into the general room, and the resulting two-story room should not look overloaded and cluttered. The design and interior of the room will help to cope with this. You can contact specialists who will prepare a 3D model of the house and a suitable interior for you, or try to create your own unique design. Below are several options for the successful placement of the second tier and furniture in the room:

  • On the 2nd floor it is possible to arrange a podium bed, and under it, on the lower tier, to make a relaxation area with a sofa, table and TV, and the latter can be placed on the wall so that it can be clearly seen both from below and from above;
  • Make an office or sleeping area upstairs, and under it place the dining and living room. Nice lamps with soft light will help to add coziness to the interior;
  • In the space of the second floor, arrange a bedroom and a relaxation area, and equip a kitchen, shower and a bathroom below, so that the sounds of communications do not interfere with a comfortable rest upstairs. Here, on the balcony, it makes sense to equip an office for the appropriate interior, where you can focus on work;
  • If you have a studio, make a spacious kitchen-living room on the ground floor, and move the bed and other personal things upstairs, and then the guests who come to the house will not embarrass you;
  • If you are confused about supports and their number, converting them into a bar counter will help save space and add a stylish touch to your interior design.

In general, the presence of a second tier gives a lot of room for creating a unique design, almost any interior you come up with will look stylish and modern, if, of course, you choose the right furniture and Decoration Materials... V modern design interiors of premises of this kind are very often used eco-style, which is inherent in natural materials and natural colors. Make a construction from natural wood, because it has solid advantages: strength, durability, expensive and presentable appearance, and finally, just a pleasant smell. Returning to your city ​​apartment in the center of the metropolis, you will feel as if you are in a cozy house in the forest.

Since the space of the second floor usually turns out to be lower than the first, which must necessarily make it possible to move along it in full growth, furniture for the second tier will also require appropriate:

  • For the interior design of the bedroom, it is better to choose a podium bed, bedside tables or dressers without legs, you can expand the room with the help of mirrors, and wallpaper or other decoration with vertical stripes will help to visually increase the height. If you have chosen an eco-style for your home, then even vertically installed wooden beams will come off;
  • If at the top you will have an office, then it will also be appropriate here. wooden interior, because all the details of such a room are usually made of wood - a table, bookcases, shelves, etc. If the cabinet does not occupy the entire area of ​​the second tier, but only a part of it, then it is better to isolate it using the same bookcases so that there is at least some privacy in the office;
  • Most likely, much less natural light will fall on the second tier, so this part of the room needs additional lighting... Upward-facing sconces and floor lamps will help to visually increase the height of the room, but bulky, larger chandeliers in the room, on the contrary, will hide the space and add the feeling that the ceiling is "pressing" on the head;
  • For wall decoration, you can use light wallpaper with a floral pattern, such a design will both decorate the room, and at the same time not look intrusive, not catching the eye and not distracting attention. The same applies to curtains - it is better to choose light curtains to the full height of the walls - so they will visually stretch the room. When decorating walls and windows, try to avoid horizontal lines, it is better to prefer diagonals or vertical stripes.

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