To organize storage, it is not necessary to install cabinets that take up precious space. You can make a mezzanine under the ceiling! To do this, you will need plywood, MDF or drywall.
Catastrophically short of storage space? There is a simple solution: mezzanine! This is a special shelf located under the ceiling. It can be installed in a kitchen as a kitchen furniture, hallway or other room. However, you need to understand that such a design significantly reduces the height of the ceiling, so you need to think carefully, in part of the apartment you can make a mezzanine with your own hands.
From the article you will find out in which cases additional storage is needed, what types of mezzanines are, where to place, what materials to choose and how to make a mezzanine with your own hands.
Table of Contents
- When you need a mezzanine?
- Where to place mezzanine in the apartment?
- What materials to choose for making a mezzanine
- Step-by-step instructions for installing the mezzanine
- How to arrange a mezzanine
When you need a mezzanine?
There is never a lot of storage space, especially in small apartments. Therefore, a mezzanine is a great alternative to a closet for storing out-of-season clothes and shoes, children’s toys, tools and other things that you don’t use every day.
If you do not have enough space in the kitchen, this problem can also be easily solved with a mezzanine. Install additional storage boxes above your kitchen unit or refrigerator. There you can put blanks for the winter, groceries, groceries or kitchen utensils. Just don’t use the mezzanine for storing heavy items. Firstly, the bottom may not withstand the weight, and secondly, it will be inconvenient for you to reach heavy things.
Where to place mezzanine in the apartment?
Technically speaking, you can make a mezzanine in the hallway, bathroom, kitchen, living room or bedroom. This is not a redevelopment, so it does not need to be approved. An exception may be cases when the mezzanine occupies more than 40% of the total area of the room. This is already considered a mezzanine floor, and not just a shelf for storage. You can put a double bed, bedside tables and a chest of drawers there.
To choose places for the future mezzanine, answer a few questions:
- What are you going to store. If these are children’s toys, clothes and shoes, the best option is to install an additional cabinet under the ceiling in the corridor. Set aside a place in the kitchen under the mezzanine for groceries, kitchen utensils and workpieces. A bedroom is suitable for storing bed linen, pillows and other bedding.
- In which part of the apartment it will not interfere. The height of the mezzanine varies from 40 to 60 cm. This is how much the ceiling will drop in the place where the additional shelf will be installed.
- What size mezzanine is needed. To find the best place, you need to decide on the size of the structure.
- Which room has a niche to secure the structure. In order for the mezzanine to withstand the weight of things, you need to fix it to the wall from 2-3 sides. Not every room meets this requirement.
Having answered these questions, you can easily determine the place for installing the mezzanine.
What materials to choose for making a mezzanine
Before proceeding with the installation, you need to understand which mezzanine is capable of withstanding the mass of things that will be stored there. The type of material used depends on the severity of things. Consider the common materials from which you can make different versions of the mezzanine with your own hands.
Chipboard
- An inexpensive material that can be used for both interior and exterior decoration of the mezzanine. Depending on what you plan to store, you can choose the thickness of the chipboard plywood. The stores also offer a large selection of sizes.
- In order for the chipboard to look aesthetically pleasing, choose a material covered with a laminated film. Thanks to the huge variety of shades, you can easily find a solution that matches the color of your interior.
- The material has a number of disadvantages: the presence of resins with an unpleasant odor in the composition, but over time it evaporates; Chipboard is afraid of moisture (if water gets on the stove, it will swell); the slab may begin to crumble upon repeated use. When you cut the chipboard yourself, chips form on the surface.
MDF
This material has a higher price in comparison with chipboard. It can be used for interior and exterior decoration.
Advantages of Chipboard & MDF Material for making a mezzanine
- Moisture resistance. Thanks to this, the mezzanine can even be installed in the bathroom. Under the influence of steam, MDF will not lose its performance and aesthetic appeal.
- Huge selection of colors. MDF is painted or laminated with foil. Thanks to the wide palette of RAL and VCP, you can choose almost any shade.
- 100% environmentally friendly. MDF does not contain resins harmful to humans and animals, so the material can be used in homes where children and allergy sufferers live.
- Resistant to damage. The material is highly durable, so it is harder to damage it.
- Long service life. The MDF mezzanine will serve you for more than 10 years.
There are also disadvantages. First of all, the high price in comparison with chipboard and drywall. And MDF is also much heavier. The material is difficult to process on your own, so you will have to order a cut in production or buy ready-made materials according to your size.
Drywall
- The most economical option that will allow you to quickly make a mezzanine in the corridor with your own hands. It is distinguished by its low cost, practically insensitive to humidity and temperature changes. Installation will not cause problems even for an inexperienced builder.
- Drywall is a fragile material, so you need to handle it with care, especially when processing. Suitable only for outdoor decoration, drywall can be used as a base, but only with special logs. But for doors, this material is definitely not suitable.
Wood
- Natural and environmentally friendly material that is suitable for mezzanine installation. It is easy to handle and cut. Subject to favorable temperature conditions, the tree will last more than 10 years.
- Wood can be called a moody material, because too dry or humid air will cause cracks. And changes in temperature will lead to deformation of the material.
When choosing wood for the mezzanine, we recommend taking care of air humidification in the winter season and Prepare Wooden Buildings For Wintering. Humidifiers and air washers do an excellent job with this.
Step-by-step instructions for installing the mezzanine
When you have chosen the right material, you can start editing. We will tell you step by step how to make a mezzanine with your own hands.
Step 1: mark and attach the support
Be sure to check the walls for electrical wires before marking. To do this, use an indicator screwdriver or a special finder. This will save you from serious consequences in the form of electric shock and wiring repair.
If the electrical cable is not in the wall, proceed with the marking. Take a tape measure and a building level to measure exactly where the base of the mezzanine will be. Draw a straight line. An ordinary wooden beam or metal corner is suitable for fastening. Drill holes on the block for self-tapping screws with a pitch of 20 cm. Attach the block to the wall and mark the attachment points.
Now make holes in the wall with a punch or drill. Insert the dowels and install the guides. The support is ready!
Step 2: mounting the base
Take a sheet of plywood or other material and cut out the bottom of the future superstructure. You will need a jigsaw. After that, install the base and fix it on the corners or wooden slats. If you use chipboard, then take care of the aesthetic appearance of the end part in advance. Get an edge tape to cover the ugly cut.
Step 3: mounting the door frame
Any mezzanine option assumes indoor storage. In order to install the doors, you first need to install the box on which they are subsequently hung. Mark the height from the bottom rails to the ceiling or top of the mezzanine. Attach the wooden side posts to the walls in the same way as the base. At the final stage of mounting the box, install the top bar, which can be fixed with corners to the side posts.
Step 4: installing the door leaves
Doors can be of several types: hinged, sliding and with a lifting mechanism. The simplest option is hinged doors. Canvases can be purchased at any furniture production or in a construction hypermarket. If the standard sizes do not fit, you can cut the plywood yourself and glue the door with edging tape.
After you make the doors, decide on the type of hinges on which you will hang them. The easiest way is to use card cards, since they do not require a drink, unlike invoices. To attach the facade on card hinges, you just need to install the hinges on the side posts using self-tapping screws.
If you need a door that will open upwards, you will need special mezzanine hinges for this. They are attached with ordinary self-tapping screws. A spring in the structure fixes the door in the upper position and does not interfere with getting things.
Also Read: how to beautifully hang a garland on a wall?
Another option is hinged doors, which will require the installation of a gas lift. Thanks to the mechanism, the door will open and close smoothly, as well as be fixed in the upper position.
For installation of a gas lift door, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. As a rule, the entire installation process is described in detail there.
How to arrange a mezzanine
- The mezzanine will look beautiful if it will harmoniously fit into the interior of the room. It is desirable that it matches the style and color of the rest of the furniture. This will allow not to violate the uniform design concept. In some cases, the mezzanine may be the same color as the door.
- Another design option for the mezzanine is the use of curtains instead of doors. This technique would be appropriate in boho or provence style. The main thing is to choose a fabric that will be combined with interior elements. For example, sofa cushions or chair upholstery. Instead of regular textiles, you can use roller blinds to match the walls. Thanks to this, the mezzanine will not stand out.
- Sometimes the mezzanine doors are decorated with mirrors. This allows you to visually increase the space, which is especially important for small corridors.
Choose a mezzanine option that will not only suit the interior, but also you will like it.
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