Catwalks have become a fashionable feature of modern interiors. If previously they were built for technical purposes - for example, when technological communications were hidden under them - then in recent years interest in a podium in an apartment is increasingly dictated by the need to save space. Also attractive is the freshness and originality of design solutions that play with various options for its structure, which is why sometimes a podium is erected for purely decorative purposes.
However, despite the growing interest in this element of the interior, not many dare to bring such ideas to life. In addition to the fact that a podium in an apartment is unusual, its construction requires certain knowledge and skills.
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).
Batteries.
Often, on the way to interior perfection, people get in the way of batteries that spoil the look of the podium. We advise you not to worry about this; now the design and construction of the podiums are being played out very delicately to avoid this. Also, do not worry about movement and heating of the air - with the correct location of the ventilation ducts, the battery will operate normally.
Where would a podium be especially appropriate?
The decision about the need to build a podium in a house or apartment and the choice of its location, of course, remains yours. However, there are situations in which such a design move would be especially appropriate.
In a studio apartment
If you have a studio apartment with several functional areas within one room, raising one of them to a height will be a great way to delimit the space.
ADVICE. Most often, the structure is used to raise the floor level in the bedroom area or to hide a sleeping area.
Studio apartment with stepped podium
In a one-room apartment
If a single room is assigned several functions at once, the pedestal will also help out in zoning - and with virtually no loss of space volume. This design move will visually help separate one part of the room from another and provide some privacy in the desired area.
ADVICE. On a raised platform there is usually a sleeping place, a mini-office or a bedroom-living room area.
In the living room
Most often, a podium is used in the design of a hall if the room carries an additional functional load. For example, if the living room is combined with a dining room, home library, office, bedroom or play area for children. Also, additional storage can be built into the elevation (this will allow you to avoid cluttering the living room with cabinets and chests of drawers) or a guest sleeping area.
Pedestal in the hall: photo of a stylish modern interior
In the nursery
In a room for the youngest members of the family, the elevation most often serves to place a sleeping place. This allows you to free up additional space during the day for games and educational activities for children. The structure can also act as a stage: ideal for children who are interested in dancing, singing, playing musical instruments or performing arts.
ADVICE. Also, in the nursery, judging by the photos of the interiors, a storage system for seasonal items and sports equipment is often built into the podium.
In the bedroom
In bedroom design, you can often find a raised floor level. And in a variety of variations:
- Instead of a bed base. In this case, the mattress is placed in the bedroom directly on the podium: this move looks laconic, minimalistic. It also helps save on the cost of a bed frame.
- The bed is elevated. This option is especially appropriate if the room has additional areas (dressing room, dressing table, sitting and reading area).
- Built-in sleeping area. In this situation, the bed is pulled out directly from the pedestal - and pushed back if necessary. The design technique is appropriate for small rooms that combine several functions at once (bedroom-living room, bedroom-children's room).
Stylish podium with lighting and storage space
In the bathroom
In bathrooms, podiums are used a little less often. Most often this is a technical necessity that helps hide communications. However, if the area allows, and the bathroom is more like a home SPA salon, then the key task of building a pedestal is zoning. In combined bathrooms, an elevation of one or another zone can also be used in order to mark the boundaries of the functional parts of the room.
ADVICE. Another technique is to attract special attention to a certain area by raising it on a kind of pedestal. In this way, for example, you can visually highlight a designer bath, making it the center of the bathroom interior.
Bathtub with a pedestal in the bathroom interior
In the kitchen
If the kitchen is combined with the dining room, a podium will be a great way to separate one area from the other.
ADVICE. Most often, in the wet area, the floor is finished with moisture-resistant materials (for example, porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles), and in the rest of the room alternative finishing options (laminate, parquet board, cork) can be used.
On the balcony
On small balconies, such a design may be the only possible option to organize both a mini-rest area and additional storage.
Watch the video: Practical podium in the interior. photo of room design with podium
Semicircular podiums are used mainly in bedrooms and living rooms in order to raise a bed or a tea table with armchairs to the desired level. On small-sized elevations you can place both a home theater and a stylish accessory - a tall ceramic vase, an original grandfather clock or a sculptural group. For elements of phytodesign, such a “pedestal” in the shape of a volumetric cone or pyramid is simply a godsend: solitaire plants in wide tubs and an intricate composition of hanging perennials, which are best placed on the steps of the podium, will look great in this way. Look at the podium in the interior photo and choose:
Design of a room with a podium - in bathrooms and loggias, elevations with steps are possible, accentuating a window or arched opening. As a rule, the material of the elevation in this case coincides with the floor covering, imitating wild stone or light marble. Corner podiums with lighting are also deservedly popular, as they allow you to fill the space with additional lighting, and these can be either flat spotlights or two or three lamps on vertical hinges, corresponding to the main style direction of the interior. Podium in the interior photo:
This is interesting: Heated carpet: give your family warmth at a reasonable price (20 photos)
Convenience.
We note that sliding beds are very convenient, because... there is no need to make the bed and they do not take up half the room during the day. We have developed a special Hide-Up system so that the bed can be rolled into the room without unnecessary interfering facades.
Also, conveniently organized drawers, doors, and niches can greatly facilitate the storage of things throughout the house. Without exaggeration, this is a significant amount even for a large family. This is especially felt when storing large items - snowboards, skis, suitcases, strollers. You also need to remember that drawers and shelves are much more convenient than hatches on top - they are inconvenient to open, and it is inconvenient to bend over for things below the floor.
If the podium is high enough, then you need to climb the steps (for example, carrying a tray in your hands), which is unusual for our homes, but this diversifies them; you quickly get used to the steps.
Catwalks are convenient for storing seasonal clothes, but this is not the best option for everyday clothes, because... it will lie horizontally (not on hangers).
It is very comfortable to sleep with a large high headboard (or lean your back and watch TV) - podiums are a very suitable place for this. We make different types of headboards: framed, free, semicircular, with a carriage tie, smooth, even wooden, etc. You can also make all the walls of the podium soft (the headboard on all sides), then sleeping on it will be as comfortable and pleasant as possible, especially if the podium is in a niche (you can even have a curtain!).
Design tips
It is not recommended to place heavy furniture on the podium, otherwise the room will look overloaded.
When equipping an elevation, it is worth considering the load that it will have to withstand:
- The children's corner and winter garden are equipped on a frame platform. Material - bars and thick plywood.
- The furniture podium is made of a durable frame with a distance between the bars of 30-40 cm.
- For a kitchen unit or bathroom, a monolithic concrete platform is installed that the floor will support.
We make a frame
After the preparatory stage, we begin work. It all starts with the basics. And our work begins with constructing a podium, which will become the basis for the bed and drawers.
- We start by placing the podium. To do this, in accordance with the measurements, draw the height of the fixed beams on the walls, and then check the marks using a building level so that the resulting podium is level.
- Then we take the prepared wooden beams and fasten them to the floor and walls with anchors horizontally.
- Then you need to attach the beams to them vertically, additionally attaching them to the wall.
- The distance between the logs should be no more than 40 cm for structural strength. We also attach wooden beams to the vertical beams on top, duplicating the bottom layer.
- It turns out to be a kind of box. This is the frame of the podium.
- Now you need to determine the location of the mattress on it.
- Depending on the location of the mattress, attach three bars to the base of the podium to secure the slats.
- One should pass strictly in the middle of the proposed mattress, the other two along the right and left edges.
- Then stuff the slats onto special beams - this will be our sleeping place.
- It is also necessary to attach several boards to the base around the perimeter of the mattress to secure the mattress.
- Along the edge of the frame we attach a slab of plywood or chipboard (depending on the rest of the material for the bed) to the wall and base, which will form the future headboard.
Now you can proceed to the manufacture and fastening of additional parts.
We add details
- In our case, additional parts are drawers. This is a very practical and easy-to-use option. You can also make drawers with hinged doors or shelves. However, we recommend using drawers.
Having made measurements, you can order the finished product and just insert it into the frame. But we suggest making the boxes yourself.
Moreover, it will not take much time and effort. It should be noted that the width of the box should be 2.5 cm less than the box in which it will be located. In accordance with this, we proceed to the manufacture of boxes. We will need a sheet of plywood for the bottom, 3 chipboards for the side walls. We fasten these parts with glue. We take another particle board and attach a handle to it, after which we attach this board to the rest of the box. The box is ready.
Using the scheme described above, make the remaining drawers, the number of which is provided by the existing niches.
To install the drawers you will need several guides. They consist of two parts: the first (two guides) is attached on both sides of the box, and the second (also 2 guides) is attached to the frame. This is done using screws, which usually come complete with guides and screwdrivers.
Final stage
The last stage involves the assembly of all parts of the structure, its final installation and cladding.
In essence, we only have the frame ready. Now we need to do the finishing. For this purpose it is better to use sheets of plywood. Take sheets of plywood prepared to length or cut according to your measurements. Cover the cut with plastic edging. A heat-activated adhesive is applied to one side.
To secure this edge, you need to heat it and press it tightly to the cut of plywood (this can be done using an old iron).
Now we attach the treated plywood sheets to the frame using screws. So it is necessary to cover the entire podium (for the walls of the bed we have already secured particle boards around the perimeter of the mattress, you can also use plywood for the walls). We cover the junction of the podium with the floor with a plinth.
The top of the frame is covered. We repeat these steps in relation to the sides of the frame. Now all that remains is to place the drawers in the appropriate niches and place the mattress in the designated place.
Decoration
The podium bed is ready. We manufactured the frame and main parts, carried out assembly and finishing. Now there is an opportunity to dream up and decorate the resulting product.
Decor that is not provided for in advance in the plan can be done using fabric, carpet, LED strip, etc. So the podium can be covered with carpet, securing it with baseboards; decorate the headboard of the bed with fabric; We glue an LED strip around the perimeter of the podium or drawers or drape it with fabric. Anyone can use such simple decorating techniques; they vary in all directions and techniques that you know.
You can use paper or thread, paint, varnish and other materials to achieve the desired look of the bed.
Things are different with more complex decor. This could be built-in LED lighting or musical equipment, finishing the podium with figured marble beams, etc. Such innovations require planning. They must be displayed in the design project, as they require additional design modifications.
With careful planning, you can realize any idea that comes to mind.
Functionality
According to their purpose, podiums in the apartment can be divided into:
- technical;
- decorative;
- storage systems;
- niches for a bed or sofa.
Technical podiums hide communications laid underneath them, which spoil the interior of the room. They are usually installed during the construction process. The height is dictated by the peculiarities of laying communications.
A decorative podium effectively zones the space. In this way, you can distinguish a kitchen work area, a dining area, a bedroom area, a play area, and a work area. A decorative podium in an apartment rarely exceeds 10-15 cm.
To zone an apartment, they also use, relatively speaking, functional podiums that serve an additional purpose - a chest of drawers, a “horizontal” closet or a low niche into which a bed or sofa can be rolled up.
If you intend to use the area under the podium for storage systems, drawers are usually provided under it. The height of such an unusual “chest of drawers” is at least 30 cm and up to 1 meter (in this case, it is necessary to provide a staircase leading to the podium). The frame must be durable, as well as the flooring.
Particularly interesting for small-sized apartments is the podium, under which beds are placed, which can be pulled out from under it at night. The height of such a niche is at least 35 cm.
So, the podium in the apartment is built in order to:
- hide communications laid above the floor;
- zone the premises;
- compensate for the lack of living space.
Backlight
One of the lighting options is an LED strip; an even strip of light creates the effect of a floor floating in the air. It will look good in an apartment with a modern interior, in the style of minimalism and hi-tech.
Spotlights act as additional lighting for the room, as well as decorating the end of the podium. The light from the lamps is reflected from the flooring, creating a play of light.
The photo shows a children's room for girls. The end part of the elevation is decorated with spotlights.
Preparatory stage of work
Any job requires preparation. And such a thing as making a podium bed with your own hands requires careful preparation. This stage includes:
- making measurements;
- drawing up a design project;
- selection of material;
- base processing;
- preparation of tools.
First you need to take measurements of the room. The dimensions of the podium are determined by the size of the room. We suggest making a rectangular podium across the entire width of the room. Determine the length yourself as far as the dimensions of the room allow.
You also need to take into account the size of the mattress to determine how much free space will remain.
In accordance with the received measurements, we draw up a design project. It includes all stages of work, from the choice of material to the design of the product.
We choose the material. To make the frame you will need strong wooden beams. Laminated chipboard or several sheets of plywood to cover the podium frame. You will also need several chipboards (chipboards) for the side walls of the bed.
The tools you will need are a tape measure, a pencil, a screwdriver, a drill, a hacksaw, a set of screwdrivers, self-tapping screws, a hammer, a construction stapler, and a construction level.
You need to buy material in accordance with the measurements received. In this case, you will not have extra elements or shortage of material. Initial processing is not required, since wooden beams and chipboards are sold ready-made. Processing will occur during work as the material is cut and fastened.
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.
Required materials and tools
To make a simple podium bed with your own hands you will need:
- A standard set of tools for cutting, preparing and fastening wood materials (hacksaw, screwdriver, drill, tape measure, level).
- Solid timber with a cross section of 50*50 or 50*100 mm, used to assemble the frame.
- Well-dried durable lumber: plywood for the bottoms of boxes 10 mm thick, chipboard or MDF boards from 16 mm, OSB-3, boards with a thickness from 22 mm.
- A set of fasteners and accessories, including anchors for fixing the frame in the walls, wooden dowels, confirmations with a length of up to 70 mm, self-tapping screws with a cross-section of 4.5 mm, metal corners to strengthen the structure, guides for drawers or a pull-out bed, handles, rollers or wheels.
- Wood glue for coating joint areas or reinforcing fasteners.
Materials for finishing or decoration: carpet, foam rubber, textiles, thin floor coverings, laminated wood boards or laminated wood for facades, varnishes, paints, stains, LED strip.
Taking into account its close location to the floor and constant loads, it is recommended that the bed podium be made from materials with high strength.
Deviation from the specified parameters of slab materials to a lesser extent is not allowed. If possible, the sides or base of the bed are cut from sheets with a thickness of 19 mm or assembled from dry boards.
When working with laminated materials or planning to install a backrest with a soft headboard, additionally prepare a construction hair dryer, tapes, and a furniture stapler with staples.
Children.
There are no more devoted fans of the catwalk than children. Changing the architecture, the topography of the room, zoning the space - all this is a great pleasure for the little ones. The safety of young users is an important aspect of furniture design, so measures must be taken to ensure that podiums can be used safely even during outdoor play. To do this, you should not make particularly sharp corners or close approaches to the windows (they can be open in the summer), the steps must be fixed and durable. Regarding the fences (railings) on the podiums - if it is so badly needed for design, then please do so. If this is for safety, then you should not erect them, because at the edge of the podium the child behaves intuitively neatly (as, for example, standing on a chair) only if there are no railings on it. If they exist, then the child trusts them completely and ceases to feel danger, which leads to the expected consequences.
Kinds
Podium beds can be divided according to several criteria. First, let's divide them according to shape: round and rectangular designs are considered the most common. However, here everything depends on your imagination.
You can make the podium triangular, polygonal or even intricate in shape. But for this it is necessary to make an appropriate frame, which adds complexity to the matter.
We can talk about such a criterion as the use of a podium. This refers to the location of the sleeping place. It can be located on top of the podium, and additional useful space is represented by a podium, which can be used as storage boxes. The second option is a pull-out bed.
It is also worth mentioning the type of podium: monolithic and frame. The first is made of gypsum block, sand-cement mixture or foam concrete. More often this type is used for kitchens and bathrooms in private homes, since the design is quite heavy and adds additional weight to the floor. Frame podiums are most often used for beds.
The idea is to construct a metal or wooden profile, which is then covered with plywood.
Classification
- functional;
- technical;
- decorative;
- complementary.
Advantages and functions of elevated beds
Podium beds are functional, practical, they retain heat well in winter and coolness in summer, which makes sleep sound and pleasant. Among the main functions:
- zoning of space;
- correcting the proportions of the room;
- careful storage of things;
- room decoration.
When visually changing the space, podium beds that are not rectangular or square, but round and oval, show themselves perfectly. This piece of furniture does not waste the space of the apartment, but, on the contrary, allows you to restore complete order in a limited private area and subsequently easily maintain it.
