How Can You Carve Out a New Room Without Extending?
When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine can be your best friend, cannily boosting space without the need for permission
Whether you have a growing household, need more space for guests, or are hoping to bump up the price when you sell your property, adding an extra room can be a real bonus for any home. And the answer is often to look upwards.
Using the height of your home to increase space doesn’t have to involve a full loft conversion (nor, indeed, a loft), nor even any structural work to your building at all. Here, three space-expanding experts share their secret tricks for Planning Permission-free routes to maxing the size of your home.
Professional advice from: Pravin Muthiah of Coupdeville; Jamie Falla of Jamie Falla Architecture; Colm Doyle of DMVF Architects
Using the height of your home to increase space doesn’t have to involve a full loft conversion (nor, indeed, a loft), nor even any structural work to your building at all. Here, three space-expanding experts share their secret tricks for Planning Permission-free routes to maxing the size of your home.
Professional advice from: Pravin Muthiah of Coupdeville; Jamie Falla of Jamie Falla Architecture; Colm Doyle of DMVF Architects
Be budget-friendly
Aside from the fact that a mezzanine is typically cheaper than a loft conversion, it’s also potentially an option in buildings that aren’t suitable for extending due to planning restrictions, since the structure is internal. There may be issues with adding some types of window, though probably not simple skylights – check the Government’s online Planning Portal for guidance.
But perhaps your loft has already been converted – as in this Dyer Grimes Architecture design – but your needs have changed or you just need more space? If your ceiling is high enough, you may be able to create a new zone up in the eaves – as here, where a guest room has cleverly been expanded into a four-sleeper thanks to a sleeping platform and ladder.
Do note, however, that any construction will need to meet Building Regulations and, depending on what you’re having done, it could be wise to consult a structural engineer.
See projects by architects and building designers in your area and read reviews from former clients.
Aside from the fact that a mezzanine is typically cheaper than a loft conversion, it’s also potentially an option in buildings that aren’t suitable for extending due to planning restrictions, since the structure is internal. There may be issues with adding some types of window, though probably not simple skylights – check the Government’s online Planning Portal for guidance.
But perhaps your loft has already been converted – as in this Dyer Grimes Architecture design – but your needs have changed or you just need more space? If your ceiling is high enough, you may be able to create a new zone up in the eaves – as here, where a guest room has cleverly been expanded into a four-sleeper thanks to a sleeping platform and ladder.
Do note, however, that any construction will need to meet Building Regulations and, depending on what you’re having done, it could be wise to consult a structural engineer.
See projects by architects and building designers in your area and read reviews from former clients.
Construct a stand-alone structure…
Having a loft space, however, is no prerequisite to building a new, high-up area in your home – there are many ways to look at constructing a mezzanine.
This creative approach to building a new room is the work of Colm Doyle of Irish architecture firm DMVF Architects, and it has effectively turned an uninhabitable former fisherman’s cottage into a fully equipped one-bedroom house.
Previously, the weeny 25 sq m property had no bathroom and just two rooms, but, thanks to the addition of this birch ply box, it now has a bedroom (up the stairs), a dinky but fully-equipped kitchen, a utility room and a shower room, all below the sleeping platform. The rest of the space is now all living area.
Having a loft space, however, is no prerequisite to building a new, high-up area in your home – there are many ways to look at constructing a mezzanine.
This creative approach to building a new room is the work of Colm Doyle of Irish architecture firm DMVF Architects, and it has effectively turned an uninhabitable former fisherman’s cottage into a fully equipped one-bedroom house.
Previously, the weeny 25 sq m property had no bathroom and just two rooms, but, thanks to the addition of this birch ply box, it now has a bedroom (up the stairs), a dinky but fully-equipped kitchen, a utility room and a shower room, all below the sleeping platform. The rest of the space is now all living area.
…especially in protected or listing buildings
Colm explains why he didn’t create a loft conversion in the cottage instead. “It’s a protected structure,” he says. “It was built in the 16th century, so we couldn’t put any windows on the front, nor dormers, nor break the roof line.” Permissible skylights illuminate the bed area, see here.
The beamless structure, though meticulously designed, is far simpler than a loft conversion or even many mezzanines. “There’s no steelwork in there; we designed it with our cabinet-maker as a huge piece of furniture,” Colm says.
Colm explains why he didn’t create a loft conversion in the cottage instead. “It’s a protected structure,” he says. “It was built in the 16th century, so we couldn’t put any windows on the front, nor dormers, nor break the roof line.” Permissible skylights illuminate the bed area, see here.
The beamless structure, though meticulously designed, is far simpler than a loft conversion or even many mezzanines. “There’s no steelwork in there; we designed it with our cabinet-maker as a huge piece of furniture,” Colm says.
Consider adding living rather than sleep space on high
This building is an old barn and the vast space inside such structures can feel imposing when they become homes. “You don’t want all double-height space,” says Jamie Falla of Jamie Falla Architecture in the Channel Islands. “It’s almost too grand, and you’re trying to create cosiness within a large space.
“The use of glass is not the cheapest,” he continues, “but it’s about creating a visual connection.” It also allows you to ‘borrow’ more light from the lower space.
This building is an old barn and the vast space inside such structures can feel imposing when they become homes. “You don’t want all double-height space,” says Jamie Falla of Jamie Falla Architecture in the Channel Islands. “It’s almost too grand, and you’re trying to create cosiness within a large space.
“The use of glass is not the cheapest,” he continues, “but it’s about creating a visual connection.” It also allows you to ‘borrow’ more light from the lower space.
Build over what’s already there
This bijou French library and micro living room is another example of how a new floor area can be constructed to sit over existing rooms. Here, Canadian company MSD Interior Design reduced the height of the bathroom ceiling in order to create space above it for a mini mezzanine.
Part of the motivation, as well as to add living space, was to create architectural interest in a previously plain interior. The construction alone does that – especially with the monochrome paintwork to accentuate the lines – but additional details, such as the wall niches for display, and a new window, add yet more dimension. And no space has been wasted, as the barrier doubles as a bookcase.
The stairs are particularly clever: half of each tread has been designed to ‘float’, so as not to block the sightline.
This bijou French library and micro living room is another example of how a new floor area can be constructed to sit over existing rooms. Here, Canadian company MSD Interior Design reduced the height of the bathroom ceiling in order to create space above it for a mini mezzanine.
Part of the motivation, as well as to add living space, was to create architectural interest in a previously plain interior. The construction alone does that – especially with the monochrome paintwork to accentuate the lines – but additional details, such as the wall niches for display, and a new window, add yet more dimension. And no space has been wasted, as the barrier doubles as a bookcase.
The stairs are particularly clever: half of each tread has been designed to ‘float’, so as not to block the sightline.
Measure your ceiling height
Headspace, naturally, is a significant consideration. In Pravin’s already-seen flat, which is in a 1960s building, the ceiling is 4.8m high. “I think the minimum overall height you could start with would be 4.4m,” he says, “otherwise you won’t have standing space above.”
Headspace, naturally, is a significant consideration. In Pravin’s already-seen flat, which is in a 1960s building, the ceiling is 4.8m high. “I think the minimum overall height you could start with would be 4.4m,” he says, “otherwise you won’t have standing space above.”
Consider your light source
It’s important to work out how you’re going to illuminate both your elevated room and the newly enclosed space below. In Pravin’s flat in the previous image, floor-to-ceiling windows offer plenty of light for both levels. In this space, however, skylights have been added on both sides of the roof to flood the whole mezzanine with light, while a small window brightens the area underneath.
It’s important to work out how you’re going to illuminate both your elevated room and the newly enclosed space below. In Pravin’s flat in the previous image, floor-to-ceiling windows offer plenty of light for both levels. In this space, however, skylights have been added on both sides of the roof to flood the whole mezzanine with light, while a small window brightens the area underneath.
Add an office
If your house or flat has the height, and you work from home, building into the roof could be the way to get your laptop off the kitchen table and into its own peaceful area. This could also be worth looking at if you don’t think there’s space for a bed or living area to squeeze in up there.
This example by Beacham Architects shows how functional and beautiful it could look. If you don’t have the benefit of full-height glazing like this, see above for inspiration on skylights.
If your house or flat has the height, and you work from home, building into the roof could be the way to get your laptop off the kitchen table and into its own peaceful area. This could also be worth looking at if you don’t think there’s space for a bed or living area to squeeze in up there.
This example by Beacham Architects shows how functional and beautiful it could look. If you don’t have the benefit of full-height glazing like this, see above for inspiration on skylights.
Simply add storage
If height really is an issue, or a mezzanine would involve more building work than you currently want to get involved with, opening into the eaves of a property with a pitched roof is another idea. You can create a lot of new storage with very little disruption or cost, and you don’t even need to have a staircase built, as a (safe) ladder is often enough.
The shoes in this example double as an interesting display, but you could equally pack lots more stuff out of sight into a newly exposed cavity like this.
If height really is an issue, or a mezzanine would involve more building work than you currently want to get involved with, opening into the eaves of a property with a pitched roof is another idea. You can create a lot of new storage with very little disruption or cost, and you don’t even need to have a staircase built, as a (safe) ladder is often enough.
The shoes in this example double as an interesting display, but you could equally pack lots more stuff out of sight into a newly exposed cavity like this.
Provide separation in family open-plan living
“Originally, this was my house,” Jamie says of this raised living area. “You want a big, open-plan, family-friendly space downstairs in these sorts of homes, but it’s also good to have somewhere for parents to retreat to in the evenings, to escape from children and other frenetic chaos and noise downstairs.
“In these open-plan spaces, the aim is still always to engage with people, so while this TV room is separate, you’re not enclosing the space and cutting it off – it’s still part of the family room, but it creates a little privacy.”
The house was originally an old barn and Jamie was keen to work in harmony with the building. His team lowered the ground floor by 600mm rather than interfering with the roof externally to make space for the mezzanine level. They also replaced the roof’s original tie – the horizontal piece of timber that stretches between the sides of the roof to help hold it together – to allow this structure to be raised a little higher to provide more space. For strength, the new tie is steel rather than wood. “This was the biggest structural work we did,” Jamie says, “and it was a flourish rather than a necessity.”
“Originally, this was my house,” Jamie says of this raised living area. “You want a big, open-plan, family-friendly space downstairs in these sorts of homes, but it’s also good to have somewhere for parents to retreat to in the evenings, to escape from children and other frenetic chaos and noise downstairs.
“In these open-plan spaces, the aim is still always to engage with people, so while this TV room is separate, you’re not enclosing the space and cutting it off – it’s still part of the family room, but it creates a little privacy.”
The house was originally an old barn and Jamie was keen to work in harmony with the building. His team lowered the ground floor by 600mm rather than interfering with the roof externally to make space for the mezzanine level. They also replaced the roof’s original tie – the horizontal piece of timber that stretches between the sides of the roof to help hold it together – to allow this structure to be raised a little higher to provide more space. For strength, the new tie is steel rather than wood. “This was the biggest structural work we did,” Jamie says, “and it was a flourish rather than a necessity.”
Enhance privacy
A mezzanine floor doesn’t need to be open to the room below like a balcony if privacy is required. Here, in a project by 2design architecture, an internal window lets in light from the space below. As already outlined, skylights are unlikely to prompt planning issues and can be used to add light if little can be borrowed from the room below. Ventilation is also a consideration.
A mezzanine floor doesn’t need to be open to the room below like a balcony if privacy is required. Here, in a project by 2design architecture, an internal window lets in light from the space below. As already outlined, skylights are unlikely to prompt planning issues and can be used to add light if little can be borrowed from the room below. Ventilation is also a consideration.
Custom-design a bed
This is the simple version of Colm Doyle’s ‘huge piece of furniture’ idea. Essentially, this combination of storage and sleep space is a bespoke bunk bed, but it shows how beautifully this sort of structure can be made, and how it can blend in with existing features.
This super-stylish design, by Russian For Fish, is for a child, but what’s to stop you commissioning a double or king-size version for yourself? The space beneath can be used as a wardrobe or desk space or as a little reading corner.
If you’re in a long-term rental, a version of this could also be the answer if you’re short of bedroom space. In theory, you can always take it with you when you leave.
This is the simple version of Colm Doyle’s ‘huge piece of furniture’ idea. Essentially, this combination of storage and sleep space is a bespoke bunk bed, but it shows how beautifully this sort of structure can be made, and how it can blend in with existing features.
This super-stylish design, by Russian For Fish, is for a child, but what’s to stop you commissioning a double or king-size version for yourself? The space beneath can be used as a wardrobe or desk space or as a little reading corner.
If you’re in a long-term rental, a version of this could also be the answer if you’re short of bedroom space. In theory, you can always take it with you when you leave.
Get creative with stairs
“You’ll probably need to get building control or a structural engineer involved in most mezzanine cases,” Jamie says, “but you can get away without doing a formal staircase. A parrot staircase [like this one by Gregory Phillips Architects], where you step up with opposite feet, or a ladder will benefit floor space.”
“You’ll probably need to get building control or a structural engineer involved in most mezzanine cases,” Jamie says, “but you can get away without doing a formal staircase. A parrot staircase [like this one by Gregory Phillips Architects], where you step up with opposite feet, or a ladder will benefit floor space.”
Build storage into your new stairs…
But if you don’t go for the ladder option, one advantage of having the excuse to build a staircase from scratch to reach your new level is that you can choose to build storage into it, as seen here in a design by Codes Intérieurs.
But if you don’t go for the ladder option, one advantage of having the excuse to build a staircase from scratch to reach your new level is that you can choose to build storage into it, as seen here in a design by Codes Intérieurs.
…and add a wardrobe
This storage staircase by Hiltongrove has drawers accessible from the space in the lower part of the room, as well as a built-in wardrobe. Each storage element cleverly fits within the run of the staircase.
This storage staircase by Hiltongrove has drawers accessible from the space in the lower part of the room, as well as a built-in wardrobe. Each storage element cleverly fits within the run of the staircase.
Consider a storage-packed sleep platform if height is tight
“In a lot of these spaces, people will make the new space for sleeping, and a lot of estate agents would also focus on an extra bedroom,” Jamie says. This can mean it’s worth looking at boxrooms in a new light – could you double the size of yours?
“Anything over 3.5m is a dimension where you can have a half level and then a mezzanine,” Jamie says. He suggests building cupboards and putting a sleep space on top. Here, in a popular Kia Designs project, a similar idea uses the bed’s new platform for drawers. It’s an idea that can also work in many open-plan living areas.
“Psychologically, it will feel bigger, so you get the benefit of more space, but at lower cost,” Jamie says. The area may not be big enough to fit in new levels that allow standing space above and below, but you can still create valuable room. “It’s also a lot less upheaval than a loft conversion.”
Tell us…
Have you added another living, sleeping or clever storage space to your home? We’d love to hear about it or see your photos in the Comments.
“In a lot of these spaces, people will make the new space for sleeping, and a lot of estate agents would also focus on an extra bedroom,” Jamie says. This can mean it’s worth looking at boxrooms in a new light – could you double the size of yours?
“Anything over 3.5m is a dimension where you can have a half level and then a mezzanine,” Jamie says. He suggests building cupboards and putting a sleep space on top. Here, in a popular Kia Designs project, a similar idea uses the bed’s new platform for drawers. It’s an idea that can also work in many open-plan living areas.
“Psychologically, it will feel bigger, so you get the benefit of more space, but at lower cost,” Jamie says. The area may not be big enough to fit in new levels that allow standing space above and below, but you can still create valuable room. “It’s also a lot less upheaval than a loft conversion.”
Tell us…
Have you added another living, sleeping or clever storage space to your home? We’d love to hear about it or see your photos in the Comments.
Sponsored
Building a mezzanine for your bed is a fantastic way to increase the floor space in a compact flat. In this apartment, owned and designed by architect Pravin Muthiah of Coupdeville in London, moving the bedroom to a higher level has allowed the flat’s living area to be made into a larger, open-plan space – the sort of spatial luxury that really makes a difference to a one-bedroom property.
“With most small, modern spaces, normally both the living room and bedroom would be on the same floor,” Pravin says, “but this is a good example of how a small space can feel much more generous by having a mezzanine. It effectively adds another room, as well as increasing resale value.”