Many have encountered the inconvenience of organizing apartment space, this issue especially concerns those who have a small living space. There are many design solutions to give your apartment the desired look: removing a wall, or vice versa, making it in the place you want does not pose any particular difficulties, but before deciding on any drastic changes, it is worth considering all the options for reorganizing the living space.
To create a cozy atmosphere in the house there will not be many problems, the main thing is to approach this issue responsibly. For example, to zone the space, you can make a podium instead of a wall or screen. This option will be able to visually isolate the desired part of the apartment, and at the same time not reduce the size of an already small house or apartment.
What is a podium
The podium is a raised part of the floor, has a height of 20 to 50 cm. Thanks to the podium, you can delimit the room space, zone the kitchen from the living room, and thanks to the raised surface you get a box for storing your things.
How to start construction?
It is important to prepare for the process. One simple option is a frame look, which is complemented by storage boxes. But the bed will be fixed at this elevation. This makes it easy to delimit space. In order not to make a mistake with anything, a drawing is first made, which actually shows all the dimensions. What needs to be measured?
- Height, width and length of the initial structure.
- Sides that will secure the mattress.
- Support logs, namely their number and sizes.
- Parameters of the bed itself.
- How many and what steps will there be?
- Will new components be present (if so, then the severity of their pressure on all supporting structures).
What will you need to have on hand to build such a structure?
- To build the panels and the central crossbar, you should purchase a wooden beam with a cross-section of about 22 millimeters.
- Side panels.
- Boards for creating some structures - backs and headboards.
- Boards to create the top blocks of the bed. They differ from the previous one in thickness.
- To create boxes, sometimes you will also need to purchase boards. Initially, it is worth understanding how much of this material is required and what cross-section.
- Panels for drawers and top block.
- Chipboard for internal organization of space.
- Plywood, so that there is something to make the boxes themselves from.
- Material to make the base. It must be durable.
- Accessories for each element.
All this is not so difficult to acquire; many people have something at home. After everything has become clear with the material, you need to prepare all the tools to begin work.
Podium - its characteristics and types
There are two types of podium: monolithic and frame. A monolithic floor is made of cement screed; as a rule, such a podium is not installed in apartments due to its heavy weight, especially since a useful niche for storing things will not work with a monolithic floor.
A frame floor is the most acceptable option; it is easy to manufacture and is also suitable for storing things.
Materials
Tree
Wood flooring will always look trendy; in addition, it is an environmentally friendly and warm material, which is an undeniable advantage. Parquet or laminate can cover surfaces and smoothly transition from the lower level to the upper level. A covering made of boards, such as bleached or varnished wood, looks interesting; the podium area will stand out against the general background.
Carpet
Carpet creates a cozy atmosphere in the apartment. This finishing option will look good in the interior of a nursery and bedroom. Carpeting goes well with wood trim. A separate advantage for a children's room is increased safety.
Tile
It is more practical to finish monolithic structures with tiles; this option is suitable for the bathroom, kitchen and hallway. The surface is moisture-resistant, durable and easy to clean.
The photo shows a studio apartment. A monolithic elevation with tiled decoration divides the space of the apartment into a living room and a cooking area.
Soft
The entire surface of the podium can have a soft surface, for example upholstery made of foam rubber, padding polyester or similar materials. The surface has a pleasant tactile sensation and looks cozy. By adding several pillows to the podium, you can get a full-fledged place for a home theater or hosting a large group of friends in your apartment.
Weight distribution on the podium
One of the most important issues in making a podium in an apartment is the issue of distributing the load on the podium. Before you start work, indicate exactly what the podium is for; if furniture will be placed on it, you need to count on its weight.
With a maximum load on the podium of approximately 200 to 300 kg per square meter, a beam with a cross-section of 50 to 70 mm should be used for the frame. If the podium is designed only for people, without any furniture, the approximate load on the podium will be 150 kg per square meter, in which case you can use timber for the frame with a cross-section of 40 mm.
What should you pay attention to when making structures?
There are several nuances that need to be taken into account.
- The optimal size of the timber used for the production of the frame is 5 x 5 cm. A smaller one may not withstand the load.
- The timber must be smooth and dry (as already noted).
- Before starting work, wood must be treated with a protective compound against biological damage.
- The optimal distance between the supporting beams is 40...50 cm.
- If the height of the podium exceeds 0.4 m, you should consider installing steps.
Sometimes steps need to be installed
- When producing structures, it is recommended to give preference to natural materials. The use of, for example, chipboards for arranging a sleeping area is undesirable, as they can emit formaldehyde.
Installing a practical and inexpensive design in an apartment provides numerous benefits to residents. Simple finishing techniques help to fit the building into almost any interior style. And the possibilities of decorating the elevation allow you to turn it into a real art object.
The process of creating a podium at home
First of all, you need to dismantle the old flooring, since it also affects the load. You can skip this step if you wish, but it is worth considering that the old flooring will take away precious centimeters, this is especially important if the room has a low ceiling.
Next you need to make the frame of the podium itself. The procedure is not complicated, the boards are installed at right angles to each other and secured with nails. You can make the frame yourself at home, or buy a ready-made one from a craftsman.
The frame is sheathed on top with plywood or OSB board, or you can use other tile material at your discretion. To cover the frame with tiles, you need to drill holes in the tiles and frame and fasten them together with screws.
At the last stage, any covering that you have chosen is laid on the podium. Thus, following clear instructions, you can make a podium yourself, and there should be no difficulties.
Tools
What can't you do without?
- Hacksaw (if possible, a jigsaw is better).
- A screwdriver, but it will take a long time, so a screwdriver is better.
- Construction level and tape measure.
- A hammer, preferably a large one or a small one.
- Pencil.
- Stapler for construction parts.
- Ruler.
All this is quite enough, but on an individual basis it is quite possible to expand this list. Then you need to start the construction process.
DIY podium photo
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Additions.
Due to the fact that the podium is quite spacious, we actively complement it with lighting (very carefully, without fanaticism), built-in sockets, retractable USB portals, wireless chargers, wine racks, headboards, etc. This greatly enhances everyday use and removes many unnecessary unsightly items (sockets on the walls, chargers, wires, lamps).
Price.
A particularly common question. Generally speaking, a good, reliable wooden podium costs about 150-200 thousand, almost regardless of where you decide to order it (Moscow or Sarapul, for example). This is due to the high requirements for materials, wood, structural strength, its manufacturing (such furniture is built into your walls, which are not always level, and it must also be thoroughly stable on your less-than-even floor), etc. If your budget does not allow you to make such a purchase, then you can buy a good factory bed. Believe me, a good bed is much better than a bad podium! Now many can offer podiums made of chipboard, plywood, MDF for less money, but be careful, the money will simply be thrown away. Remember that the podium is one of the largest, most important and unique pieces of furniture in the home. The money invested in it fully pays off in the final interior.
In this chapter we will touch on the stereotype that the podium is a solution for small apartments. This is not always fair. Natural wood podiums can last for decades, which is more suitable for permanent housing than for small studios, which are often temporary housing. But if the budget allows you to build your dream even in a small space, then the podium will certainly become a very useful and pleasant acquisition!
It is worth remembering that podiums in large spaces (halls, bedrooms of country houses, etc.) look even more original and interesting. They fit well and organically into any expensive and spacious interiors of any size.
Video
Learn the podium construction process by watching the video:
In the nursery
Sleeping area
In the bedroom With drawers
With a pull-out bed in the nursery
With secret bed and steps
Bed podium finished with laminate
Arranging a nursery
Multi-stage podium
Living area
Source
Wear and tear of furniture.
On this point, podiums will give a head start to any furniture: subject to a reasonable approach to the choice of materials and design design, such a podium can serve for decades. The surface of the podium today is treated with special parquet and yacht oils, so you don’t have to worry about them for a very long time.
The second side of the question: the fewer doors, hinges, mechanisms, etc. there are in furniture, the more durable it is. It’s worth keeping this in mind when designing your dream podium.
What is it used for?
Despite the decorative purpose of the podium, it also performs a number of more important tasks. With its help, you can divide the space into functional zones.
A podium in a room makes it possible to visually adjust the proportions of the room. A long and narrow room can be visually expanded. And by installing such a structure in one corner, you can slightly round off the square shape of the room.
When making a podium with your own hands, you must first provide for the arrangement of drawers. You can store a fairly large number of things in them. This is especially convenient if the room area is very small. You can also hide a huge amount of communications. This will not only improve the appearance of the room, but also protect engineering systems from mechanical stress.
