Mezzanine floors have inspired homeowners, property managers and prospective buyers for centuries. They add complex designs between two layers within a structure, and facilitate additional space in a building. Mezzanines are often found in industrial settings (such as distribution centers, warehouses, office spaces, and production floors), and are typically made out of steel, wood, or concrete. They may also be included in residential locations, and may serve as extra sleeping quarters, a walk-in closet, home offices, or as a dining room that sits atop an open-concept kitchen. As mezzanines offer additional space (without the property undergoing tremendous renovations), they can also significantly increase the value of a building, whether one is looking to sell or rent it out. However, while these open-concept layers add dimension and interest into a property, they can feel vacuous if they are not well designed or decorated. If you want to add more flexibility and visual appeal into your sacred space, try incorporating the following designs into your existing mezzanine.

From Basic to Bountiful

When individuals buy a property that houses a mezzanine, they may be tempted to initially allocate this area solely for storage purposes. However, those who have ever felt strapped for space can transform their mezzanine into a multi-purpose den. Mezzanines are equipped with high ceilings and a balcony that overlooks another area within the home, making it a perfect place for intimate conversations. As these quarters tend to be well-lit (with natural lighting), they also make a great place for one to curl up with a good book, nurture an indoor garden, or catch up on paperwork in their sacred sanctuary. In addition, dens often include open shelving units, bookcases, and desks, which provides occupants with the ability to store personal items in easily accessible locations.

Cozy Quarters

Mezzanines provide a great way to add an additional bedroom, without the need for a costly, time-consuming home renovation. If you plan on regularly hosting family and friends in your home, it is only hospitable that you offer them comfortable sleeping quarters. As mezzanines overlook below living spaces, ample attention must be paid to a guest’s privacy, as an open-concept bedroom may not fulfill everyone’s comfort levels. In order to segregate the area, you can incorporate closable shutters (allowing the bedroom to become enclosed), glass windows (granting cascades of light through the room, while maintaining true separation from the remainder of the home), or linen curtains (which can be drawn across over a stainless steel cable rod), into your mezzanine. These solutions are also decorative, and improve a unit’s visual appeal; privacy becomes a win-win situation for both homeowner and guest.

Bunk-Up

When we think of the term ‘bunk beds’, we may recall our childhood days; long nights spent cozying on up in a narrow bed, daydreaming about the future, or socializing at length amongst relatives or friends. While bunk beds are not a ubiquitous household item, they do grant homeowners the ability to sleep multiple individuals, typically within one room. Mezzanine floors, when placed inside of an existing bedroom, have become the modern-day approach to bunk beds. Having a mezzanine floor within a bedroom is especially useful for children (who can share a bedroom, but still have their own bed) and first-time parents (who may not want to be too far away from their child, especially during infancy).

Elevate your Exercising Routine

Let’s face it, we may not always feel motivated to hit the ground running or leave the house to lift heavy weights in a crowded sports club. However, if you still want to maintain an active lifestyle, you can transform your mezzanine into a home gymnasium. There are numerous pieces of training equipment that can be stored in an exercise room (dumbbells, workout mats, resistance bands, kettlebells, skipping ropes, and rowing machines, to name a few), that will allow you to stick to your fitness routine from the comfort of your own home. However, as some workout equipment (like treadmills and ellipticals) can be quite heavy, homeowners must ensure that their platform is well reinforced, before purchasing any hefty appliances.

Jerri Lyons | Contributing Writer