How to make a podium. Do-it-yourself podium with a pull-out bed: stages and installation rules. Ideas for a small or narrow room

When organizing space in an apartment, many people think about building a podium with their own hands. This technique allows you to save space and give a stylish look to the interior. A large space involves placing things there.

The podium is a modified part of the floor, slightly raised (20 or 50 cm above floor level), reminiscent of a stage. Depending on their purpose, podiums are divided into decorative and residential.

What is the podium for?

• Various communications, unsightly in appearance, are hidden under a beautiful and unusual design. These are pipes, wires, air ducts.
• The space is divided into certain zones. Raising part of the room is a style decision that focuses all attention on some areas of the room. Tall objects always attract the eye more strongly. An excellent solution is to build a podium to create a cozy place where you can relax and unwind. The work area is arranged in the same way.
• It is very easy to correct deficiencies in the layout by making a podium with your own hands. If there are unnecessary and inconvenient protrusions, they are masked with the help of a stylish interior element.

What does the arrangement of the podium depend on?

After deciding to build a podium in your apartment with your own hands, you should decide what level of rise it will have. The purpose of the structure and the height of the ceilings play a significant role.

You should clearly think about where this structure will be located, otherwise it will create inconvenience when moving around the house. If there is a bulky structure in the center of the room, you will need to go around it.

Equipped niches, alcoves, various partitions, columns - determine the factors for arranging the second level in the apartment. Various protrusions in the home themselves dictate the conditions for placing a new interior element.

In rooms that perform many functions (one-room apartments), the use of podiums will be relevant. Different floor levels will emphasize the autonomy of different zones.

If the room is long and narrow, dividing it with a podium will visually make it wider, and in “square” shaped rooms, preference should be given to corner elevations with a rounded edge, as a result the excessive angularity of the room is hidden.

The sleeping area should be arranged where the most suitable place for installing the bed is. Typically, the function of a bed is performed by a mattress laid on the surface; it should be high to soften the rigidity of the structure. Steps with a large width are adapted under the “sofa”.

In a studio apartment, the podium structure fits perfectly into the surrounding environment; it is brought out onto the plane separately. As a result, you can become the owner of a well-equipped workspace with bookshelves and a table for working on a computer.

Rooms for children are equipped in the same way. Even in a compact area, it is possible to separate the play area from the corner where the child will study. The depths of the vast niche contain things and a pull-out sleeping area.

Whatever style your home is furnished in, the podium will fit perfectly into the decor. The ultra-modern interior, replete with many chrome surfaces, glass parts, allows for two levels. The oriental style is also ideal for such a design, and the podium can act as the main furnishings of the room, and the use of sofas and armchairs can be eliminated.

If the apartment has a combined bathroom, dividing the space into different zones using a podium is an excellent solution. Communications are masked in a similar way.

What are the different designs?

Thinking about how to make a podium in your own apartment with your own hands, every master is interested in what types of structures there are in general. The designs are different. Monolithic podiums are made using a cement-sand screed. Concrete also acts as the main material. The basis for the frame structure is a frame made of metal or wood, which is subsequently sheathed with boards.

The monolithic type creates too much load on the floors. The space underneath is non-functional. But it has undeniable advantages: it is rigid, moisture-resistant, and extremely durable.

The frame podium is more functional; convenient drawers are arranged in a niche.

And yet, how to make a podium yourself? It is easier to build a frame elevation with your own hands.

Material requirements

Materials must be selected in accordance with certain requirements.

• First of all, it is lightness so that the ceilings are not overly loaded.
• Reliability is important, because furniture will be placed on top, people will move, and the base must withstand such a load.
• Silence is one of the conditions. There should be no creaking or knocking.

Which materials should you prefer?

• A wooden or metal frame covered with plywood is one of the assembly options.
• They also make structures on logs with their own hands. Brick columns are laid out, which will subsequently serve as a support. There is a beam (10×10 cm) on them. The construction is completed by laying plywood. To get rid of the loud noise when moving, mineral wool is placed in the voids or construction foam is used.
• Foam block is one of the acceptable options. It is strong, but an order of magnitude lighter than concrete. The material is large enough in size, so installation is quick. Such a disadvantage as hygroscopicity makes one think about significant waterproofing.

What to cover with?

• Laminate has suitable properties for covering a podium built in an apartment.
• Wood has always been attractive as an excellent building material.
• Ceramic tiles - a finish that is appropriate in bathrooms, kitchens.
• Linoleum and carpet are easy to install. The materials are good and the variety of colors is also good.
• Load-bearing capacity of the supporting structure, interior style - conditions taken into account when choosing cladding.

Wooden frame: how to design?

In an apartment, you should give preference to a podium based on wood, the lightness of which is an ideal condition for such purposes. If necessary, the frame is easy to disassemble.

The geometrically correct shape is ensured by precise marking using a laser level. The height is marked on the walls.

What is needed for the frame?

First you need to take care of purchasing timber (3x4 and 5x5cm). Plywood (1 cm and 2 cm) is also necessary for constructing an elevation with your own hands. Fasteners require various modifications.

Self-tapping screws and anchors are used for fastening; It’s a good idea to stock up on dowel nails. Corners for fastening (5 cm) should be purchased both regular and reinforced.

A beam is vertically attached to the wall of the room with anchors to construct a supporting wall. The following fact is taken into account: the step between the supports should be minimal, which allows the structure to become the most durable. The best gap is 40cm.

Then the beams are laid horizontally and connected by fastening them with self-tapping screws or nails. In this way the upper part is formed. The frame gains greater strength through the use of metal corners.

How to finish the top and sides?

The base is sheathed with plywood or fiberboards. The sheets are attached to the beams using nails. Self-tapping screws are also used. It is imperative to provide gaps between all sheets (2, even 3 mm): exposure to moisture or high heat will affect the expansion of the material. If you plan to use a niche to arrange a retractable bed or drawers, the frame is also covered from the inside.

It is undesirable to tightly close the podium: the space in the apartment will be used irrationally.

Flooring – finishing. It is done very carefully, because it is what is visible to the eye and is part of the interior. To give a special atmosphere, the podium is equipped with lighting.

Having figured out how to make podiums with your own hands, you can start doing the work. The installation of the podium is not difficult to implement. A minimum of knowledge and skills, a great desire to turn your home into a piece of paradise, some tools, a minimum amount of materials - everything that a master needs for his work. And the result is comfort in the home and gratitude from loved ones.

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.

Negative sides of the podium

There are negative aspects of the catwalk that you need to be aware of. Firstly, the podium will reduce the space from floor to ceiling; in a room with low ceilings it is better to abandon the podium. Secondly, the podium should stand out visually, since if it is made invisible, even with a small height, you can constantly get bruises.

Podium - its characteristics and types

There are two types of podium: monolithic and frame. A monolithic floor is made of a cement screed, as a rule, such a podium is not installed in apartments due to the large weight, especially since a useful niche for storing things with a monolithic floor will not work.

The frame floor is the most acceptable option, it is easy to manufacture and also suitable for storing things.

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.

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.

DIY podium photo

Today we will tell you in detail how to make a podium bed with your own hands, without turning to professionals. Anyone who knows how to use an electric jigsaw, knows how to maintain dimensions and is not afraid to pick up something sharper than a fork can cope with this task. If you follow this algorithm, you will save both money and time. The article describes the tools that are used to create a bed, the methods used, and gives practical recommendations on how to avoid mistakes in work.

The set of accessories is selected depending on the number of boxes, their fastening and the method of extension.

Practical advice!Pay special attention to the dryness of boards and timber. Before use, impregnate them with an agent that prevents the appearance of mold and dampness.To make the cut even, exactly at a right angle, use a building corner.

Assembling the frame

The evenness of the podium bed, firstly, affects the strength of the structure, and then some furniture and interior elements will be located here. Therefore, before starting construction, carry out work to level the floor under it. Goes great with these beds inexpensive mattresses, which are offered in Yekaterinburg by the Sleeping Kit company.

Then draw a straight line on the wall corresponding to its height and dimensions. This can be done with a regular level (it is desirable to use, of course, a laser one - it is more accurate). If the structure itself is adjacent to the wall, then it is necessary to dismantle the plinth along the entire length of the connection.

The podium bed frame itself is assembled from timber. Depending on the functions assigned to it and the estimated dimensions, you can use a beam of different sections from 27 to 50 mm., But it is better to take the average - 40 mm.

Support bars, depending on the size of the niche and the elevation itself, can be attached to the walls or the floor. We fasten them with self-tapping screws along the previously marked line. If the dimensions of the building are not large, then it is enough to fix them vertically with an anchor to the walls.

Practical advice!Calculation of the length of the vertical beam: the calculated height minus the section of the beam itself.

Accordingly, the smaller the distance between the nearest racks, the more durable the structure will be. But you shouldn’t split it – the recommended distance is 40 cm – it won’t sag too much under the weight of a lying person. Cross bars are laid on the racks. This is the top part of the frame. Secure the beams running along the wall with dowels or self-tapping screws - we will give the structure additional rigidity. They must be placed strictly perpendicular to each other, connecting with screws or nails and strengthening the connection with a metal corner. If the platform is large, then add several additional vertical bars inside to add rigidity.

Practical advice! To avoid cracks and chips in the wood, before screwing in the screw, drill a hole in the place where you plan to screw it. Take a drill with a smaller diameter than a self-tapping screw.

If you plan to make the end with a bend, then the skeleton itself must be made this way. To do this: draw out the shape of the bend on the floor, attach vertical bars along the line in increments of approximately 20-30 cm. They must be placed in those places where the line changes direction. If the size of the room allows, then add several drawers for bedding and linen to the podium. There are several ways to install drawers: with furniture wheels or side guides. When calculating the step between the bars, do not forget to take this distance into account.

Sheathing the frame

Let's start covering the resulting frame. A sheet of plywood, MDF, or strand board (OSB) is the best choice here. You should not use slabs that are afraid of moisture (for example, fiberboard), because they can become deformed and cause the entire structure to collapse. What to use is up to you - plywood has irregularities, chips and voids, but it is more economical. And, accordingly, the total cost of construction will be reduced. OSB and MDF boards do not have such defects, but they will cost more. For the structure itself, the cladding material does not play a special role, the only question is finances.

Practical advice!To prevent possible deformations of the working surface, when attaching sheets, leave a distance of approximately 2 mm between them.

If the frame is planned to be “deaf”, i.e. If you don’t want to place boxes or a pull-out bed in it, then we’ll also upholster the façade.

Now let's take care of sound insulation, i.e. adapting your podium for use in urban environments. To do this, lay the inner surface (leave space for boxes and niches) with any soundproofing material, such as foam or mineral wool. This will reduce the level of booming sound from the empty space of the platform when walking on it, and so it will play the role of thermal insulation.

Final Touches

With all the accuracy of the work, it is impossible to do without minor irregularities and defects. To hide flaws, use wood putty. After drying, sand the surface with fine sandpaper.

The finishing is entirely in your hands and your imagination. Anything will do: carpet or laminate, linoleum or even ceramic tiles - at your discretion. But focus on the design of your premises and your finances.

Practical advice!The podium is, first of all, an elevation, and it is the first thing that catches your eye when you enter the room. Therefore, don’t get carried away, leave everything as it is - natural and aesthetically pleasing.

Particular attention should be paid to the finishing of its front part. If part of the front is flat, then it is simply sheathed in the same way as the entire podium. If you give it an unusual shape, such as a wave-like one, then you need to use materials that can easily take on different shapes. Plywood, various profiles (aluminum or brass), plastic corner, etc. are suitable. The end is a good place to place LED strip lights or neon lamps on it. Engineering communications can also be removed inside the podium, but do not forget to provide free access to them without dismantling the entire pedestal.

Construction of the podium bed is completed.

Now carefully inspect the surface, the joints with the wall and floor, to see if there is any sagging of the boards, take a few steps along the flooring, listen to see if there is a booming sound or a creaking sound. Now that everything is back to normal, pick up some furniture and decorative items and settle into your new “elevated” corner.

And finally, advice for those who want to build a platform without involving professionals:

• Cover the edges of the cross boards with felt and the podium will never creak.
• Leave space between the platform and the heating radiators. Do not interfere with natural air circulation.
• If possible, it is better to make the lid from a solid slab.
• It is necessary to provide some distance from the wall in advance. Place decorative elements or plant plants here.
• For a children's room or bathroom, steps should be made with an anti-slip coating.
• To access engineering and other communications in the podium, make a hatch. When designing, avoid sharp corners.

The appearance of such an elevation, made on your own, will give the old, already boring interior new colors. It will add functionality, visually expand the scale of the room, and hide communications.

You can do these works yourself - there is nothing tricky about it - save a lot on calling a specialist and earn great respect from your wife. Of course, you will spend money on building materials and waste your free time, but it’s worth it - the podium bed will change the usual interior.

DIY podium bed

45 photos of DIY podium bed ideas:

The peculiarity of the podium is that it multifunctional. Moreover, specific functions can be chosen by the home owner himself, based on his needs and interests. Modern building materials make it possible to make a podium in a relatively short time. In addition, simple (“basic”) models can be made even by a person who does not have the appropriate education. The podium is one of the best ways to change the interior design and increase usable space without demolishing walls or other methods.

Characteristic features of the podium in the apartment

The standard design is recognizable: its height does not exceed 25 centimeters. If you need to make a larger podium, then it is “broken” into several levels. In addition to this rule, there are several features of the location of this element, which depend on its functional purpose.

Space zoning

Designers love to use podiums because they make it quick and easy to highlight. A small elevation draws an invisible boundary between the kitchen and dining, work and play, and sleeping areas. The thing is that objects that are higher than others attract people's attention. If you want to place the accents correctly, then place on the podium what you would like to show.

Increase in usable area

This parameter is especially important for owners of small apartments. Podium assumes free space at the base, where seasonal items or items that are not constantly needed can be hidden.

Changing room parameters

It is also worth abandoning the construction of such a structure solely for decorative purposes. In a small apartment, every square meter should be used. That is why inside the podium there can be both boxes for things and a pull-out bed.

Also, designers recommend paying attention to the arrangement of the upper part of this important element. In a limited space, the role of even the smallest podium will be dominant. All attention will be paid to those objects that are on a hill. So we advise you to think in advance which zone to place in this area.

Advice. Try to avoid massive objects on the podium. They will look even larger and heavier, which can cause disharmony in the interior.

DIY podium in the apartment

There are various ways to build a podium, but the most popular is considered frame. The result is a lightweight and durable podium. In addition, it is quickly assembled and does not require special skills from the master. First, you will need to decide on the position, size and shape of the podium itself, as well as take measurements of the room. After this, the craftsmen recommend making a drawing, from which you can calculate the exact amount of materials.

You will need:

• mounting angles,
• anchors,
• dowel-nails,
• screws,
• laser level,
• plywood 20 mm,
• cork backing,
• plywood 10 mm,
• polyethylene film,
• timber 50x50 and 30x40 mm.

Using a level, highlight all the contours and mark them with a pencil on the walls. After this, check the diagonals; the error for the curvature of the walls is 5 mm. If it exceeds this value, then the depth of the podium needs to be slightly adjusted.

Polyethylene is then laid on the floor to ensure waterproofing of the structure. A backing is placed on it. After this, 10 mm plywood is laid on the floor. If several sheets are used, then a small gap of 3 millimeters should be left at the joint. This layer is nailed to the floor with dowel nails.

A 50x50 beam needs to be cut into pieces according to your drawing. The resulting logs are laid on supports on top of a layer of plywood.

Advice. Underlay the supports with cork to insulate the wood beams. This way you can get rid of the squeak.

Secure the structure using anchor bolts and angles. After this, plywood with a thickness of 20 millimeters can be laid on it. Do not forget about small technological gaps at the junction of sheets. Screw the plywood to the base with self-tapping screws. This completes the installation of the podium.

Boxes can be made of any shape and type. The simplest option is to fasten two bars with a piece of thin plywood.

If you want to make a podium in your apartment, then think about the topcoat for this interesting design element. It can be laminate or carpet, tiles or parquet. If you want clearly demarcate the room, then use a floor covering that is different from the one that will be in the room. Otherwise, it is better to use similar material.

How to make podiums with your own hands

To make your own podiums, you will need simple building materials, two or three days of hard work and that's it. Anticipating growing interest and a lot of additional questions related to installation, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the options for manufacturing this structure.

Small room and podium bed - interior secrets

A stylish podium with a built-in bed is today the unsurpassed leader among furniture designs for small spaces. This is explained by the acceptable dimensions of such structures, their strict geometric shapes and the possibility of using them as an additional zone.

There are several models of such structures:

In any variation, such structures allow the entire living space of the apartment to be used with maximum efficiency. But before you make a podium in order to save square meters of the room, check out some of the designers' recommendations.

Expert advice

Most consumers have the opinion that such designs can be made even in small spaces. However, experts deny this. For example, a podium in a room can only be built if there is a large space, since the dimensions of the future frame will somewhat reduce its volume.

Also, if you install the podium in a children’s room that is not large in size, the frame will “steal” the last useful meters, and the child will simply have nowhere to play. Even if the new building will be very attractive.

You can make a podium bed in a medium-sized bedroom, decorating the room beautifully. But in this context, it should be equipped with additional drawers in order to save free space that could be occupied by a bedside cabinet.

The role of podiums in the interior of premises

The design of beds on podiums is made as a step protruding 25–30 cm from the floor. If you need to make a higher frame, then a multi-tiered model with a wide upper platform is built.

As an additional element of the interior, podiums with a bed are built for several purposes:

• Zoning of space.
• Decorating the room.
• Correction of room proportions.
• Expansion of usable area.
• Hiding communications.

Space zoning

By making such a structure, designers raise part of the room, focusing attention on a certain area of ​​the interior.

According to the laws of human perception, everything that is located above attracts attention first. On a podium with a bed, if it is done in recreation rooms, you can organize any functional area - a children's room or a bedroom. In other rooms this could be the dining room or even the kitchen.

Decorating the room

Recently, the use of podiums with a built-in bed has become especially popular to create visual effects in the room.

For example, it is very convenient to make a studio apartment by highlighting a certain area using such a design.

Adjusting proportions

Interior design for a narrow bedroom

Podiums with or without a bed allow you to adjust the visual perception of space, giving it the correct shape.

A narrow room can be expanded with a rounded structure, and the angularity of a room with square proportions can be hidden with a triangular podium.

Expansion of usable area

If you place the bed on a podium, you can use the interior space of the latter to store various things.

In the opposite case, when the sleeping place is located inside, the upper part acts as a working area.

Hiding communications

Before making a podium in an apartment, you can think in advance about the location of the necessary communications in its interior. They can be telephone wires and more, audio and video equipment wiring, as well as other communication systems.

And, of course, we should not forget about the most popular use of such structures - making podiums with a bed or using them as a small sofa. Multi-level structures are often built. In this case, the berth can be located at the top or pulled out from the internal space.

We construct a podium - selection and calculation of materials

When selecting and calculating the amount of material for a bed with a podium, it is necessary to start from the functional purpose and decorative component of the design. Regardless of the chosen type, the frame must be made only from timber with a cross-section of at least 30 by 30 mm.

The width of the bed frame under the podium or on it directly depends on the size of the room. The height should be 5-10 cm higher than the mattress that will lie on the bed. Otherwise, it will look unnatural.

Setting up a simple bed

The simplest podium beds are structures with mattresses attached on top. At the first stage of manufacturing, the space is marked out and the location of the structure is determined. The installation process is similar in principle to installing a wooden floor on joists. The only difference is in the constructive focus of the work.

One of the simple and affordable options for making podiums with a bed is covering a pre-made frame with chipboard sheets. After this, the prepared mattress is attached to the top. The design is simple and easy to implement.

In this case, the length along which the timber is cut and mounted to the floor is first measured. Then transverse posts are installed, on top of which an upper beam of similar size is attached. The entire structure is stitched together in several places with crossbars for reliability and covered with chipboard sheets. The podium for the bed is ready!

Simple, boring and primitive. Having seen the finished invention, you, of course, will not be delighted, you will not feel all the charm and monumental exaltation. Therefore, a podium in a bedroom with internal drawers will look more natural.

Design with drawers

Podiums with a bed, in the inner cavity of which retractable structures are installed, are also mounted in a simple way. This means the preliminary fastening of timber along a pre-marked perimeter with subsequent laying of boards. It is important to take into account the parameters of the room and adhere to the dimensions recommended above.

For podiums with a bed, a 22 mm thick board is used. It will be needed to assemble the outer panels and the central part. The internal parts of the structure are made only from chipboard. The support frame for installing the mattress is assembled from the inside. First, load-bearing bars with dimensions of 40×30 mm are attached, which are placed in a horizontal position, and then the supporting ones.

The support bars will take on the entire load, so they need to be positioned evenly. They are fastened with screws. One bar is installed in the center of the structure and two along the edges.

Bed with drawers

To make the walls of retractable structures for beds on podiums, you will need a board at least 16 mm thick. The details of the boxes are prepared in advance and assembled into finished structures. The bottom is made of plywood, and the internal dimensions must first be compared with the size of the under-bed space. Boxes are made to measure.

The block parts are coated with glue and assembled. It is better to secure the boxes with clamps until they are completely dry. After this, they are inserted into the grooves, adjusted to size if necessary. This podium is a little more difficult to make, but the idea is worth it. You will perfectly complement the interior, saving workplace space.

If you are planning to make a podium in the bedroom with a retractable structure, then this will require the installation of additional guide roller fittings.

Conclusion

Making a podium means updating the interior, giving more functionality and originality to the decoration of any premises that are not limited in space. All work on the design and installation of elevations can be done independently, saving on the services of specialists. Of course, you will have to spend money on purchasing additional tools and be patient, but the result is worth it.

Publications on the topic

We make a podium with our own hands from available materials

Installing a podium in an apartment has not yet become a craze, but many people are already using it in an effort to decorate their home. make it more convenient and functional.

This idea came from Japan, where since ancient times a special elevation, built above the floor surface, was used for sleeping. It was made so that the internal space of the structure could be used for storing clothes and dishes.

At a later time, the volume under the surface of the podium was equipped with drawers mounted on rollers or guides.

Podium in the realities of the Russian apartment

Our apartments, which are not large in size, have always been a “battlefield” for home craftsmen for the rational use of space.

First of all, they began to use the interior space of the podium not for arranging storage areas, but for installing sleeping places, which are a pull-out bed. In a small apartment, this allows you to place in one area both a bedroom, which functions at night, and the upper surface of the podium for creating a functional area such as an office or a place for children's games.

If the podium is located in the living room, then you can equip it with an excellent relaxation area, which will be visually separated from the rest of the room.

There are many ideas for using this site, you just need to use your imagination.

Since it is impossible to find a ready-made podium for sale suitable for any apartment, this design will have to be developed and installed independently or made to order.

What to consider when planning a podium

The height of the podium varies from 15 to 50 cm, depending on its purpose and your requirements for it. When equipping a sleeping place, a greater height will be required than when arranging a place

storage of things.

Types of podiums

By design, all podiums are divided into:

Monolithic podiums made of concrete. They are mainly used as a platform for installing a bath or shower. This option is more suitable for a private house, where the concrete foundation transfers the load directly to the ground.

For apartment buildings, even with concrete floors, this option is extremely undesirable, since it creates an unacceptable load on the floor.

It is clear that the only “filling” of such a design can only be the communications inherent in the bathroom. And even then it is not recommended to wall them up in concrete.

Frame podium assembled from wooden frame bars and sheathed with chipboard, plywood, OSB or rough board, which is then subjected to external finishing. All sheet materials are laid in 2 layers in order to increase the load-bearing capacity of the site.

To construct the frame, you can also use metal structures, which are subsequently also sheathed with sheet material.

Such designs allow you to safely experiment with both the exterior decoration of the podium and its “filling”.

Installation of the podium

First you need to dismantle the old flooring in the place where the podium will be located. This is not a prerequisite, but if you want to put on the site

heavy furniture, then dismantling the old floor will somewhat reduce the load on the floor.

It should be borne in mind that the total load on the floor is usually 400 - 800 kgkv. m. Therefore, you need to at least approximately determine the weight of the podium and all the objects that will be placed on it (and under it). The power of the structure frame depends on this calculation:

• If the load does not exceed 150 kg sq. m, then a log section of 50*50 mm is sufficient.
• If the load exceeds 300 kg sq. m, it is better to use timber with a cross section of 70*70 mm.

The simple design of the podium allows you to design and install it yourself. But we must remember that its arrangement is a redevelopment and requires approval.

Podium in the kitchen

Podium in the living room

Podium in the living room

Podium in the living room

Podium in the nursery

Podium in the nursery

Podium in the nursery

Podium in the nursery

Podium in the bathroom

Podium in the bathroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

Podium in the bedroom

How to make a podium in an apartment?

This unusual design solution is often found in apartments with a small area. The peculiarity of the podium is that it multifunctional. Moreover, specific functions can be chosen by the home owner himself, based on his needs and interests. Modern building materials make it possible to make a podium in a relatively short time. In addition, simple (“basic”) models can be made even by a person who does not have the appropriate education. The podium is one of the best ways to change the interior design and increase usable space without demolishing walls or other redevelopment methods.

Characteristic features of the podium in the apartment

The standard design is recognizable: its height does not exceed 25 centimeters. If you need to make a larger podium, then it is “broken” into several levels. In addition to this rule, there are several features of the location of this element, which depend on its functional purpose.

Space zoning

Designers love to use podiums because they make it quick and easy to highlight a specific area. A small elevation draws an invisible boundary between the kitchen and dining, work and play, and sleeping areas. The thing is that objects that are higher than others attract people's attention. If you want to place the accents correctly, then place on the podium what you would like to show.

Increase in usable area

This parameter is especially important for owners of small apartments. Podium assumes free space at the base, where seasonal items or items that are not constantly needed can be hidden.

Changing room parameters

A podium can visually expand the space of a narrow room. To do this, designers use rounded and curving lines. If you need to give the correct shape to a square room, then it is best to use corner podium. which will “soften” the original parameters of the room.

Masking communications

Most often, podiums are used for this purpose in bathrooms and kitchens. If you need to hide pipes and taps, then this design technique will easily transform the room.

Replacing furniture

The podium itself can turn into a sofa or even a bed, if you just put a mattress on it. You can upholster the structure with a soft, dense substrate, and cover it with fabric on top to get a full-fledged sofa. Also a very interesting solution is a built-in bed. which hides in the podium during the daytime.

Podium in a one-room apartment

For rooms with a small area, a podium is one of the best interior design options. But such a cunning technique should be used with caution. First, you should decide where the podium will be located. It is not recommended to place it along a long wall, or in the center of the room. In the first case, you will give the room an irregular shape, visually making it very narrow. But the second one - deprive it of functionality and convenience, since the elevation will prevent residents from moving around the apartment.

​

It is also worth abandoning the construction of such a structure solely for decorative purposes. In a small apartment, every square meter should be used. That is why inside the podium there can be both boxes for things and a pull-out bed.

Also, designers recommend paying attention to the arrangement of the upper part of this important element. In a limited space, the role of even the smallest podium will be dominant. All attention will be paid to those objects that are on a hill. So we advise you to think in advance which zone to place in this area.

Advice. Try to avoid massive objects on the podium. They will look even larger and heavier, which can cause disharmony in the interior.

DIY podium in the apartment

There are various ways to build a podium, but the most popular is considered frame. The result is a lightweight and durable podium. In addition, it is quickly assembled and does not require special skills from the master. First, you will need to decide on the position, size and shape of the podium itself, as well as take measurements of the room. After this, the craftsmen recommend making a drawing, from which you can calculate the exact amount of materials.

• mounting angles,
• anchors,
• dowel-nails,
• screws,
• laser level,
• plywood 20 mm,
• cork backing,
• plywood 10 mm,
• polyethylene film,
• timber 50x50 and 30x40 mm.

Using a level, highlight all the contours and mark them with a pencil on the walls. After this, check the diagonals; the error for the curvature of the walls is 5 mm. If it exceeds this value, then the depth of the podium needs to be slightly adjusted.

Polyethylene is then laid on the floor to ensure waterproofing of the structure. A backing is placed on it. After this, 10 mm plywood is laid on the floor. If several sheets are used, then a small gap of 3 millimeters should be left at the joint. This layer is nailed to the floor with dowel nails.

A 50x50 beam needs to be cut into pieces according to your drawing. The resulting logs are laid on supports on top of a layer of plywood.

Advice. Underlay the supports with cork to insulate the wood beams. This way you can get rid of the squeak.

Secure the structure using anchor bolts and angles. After this, plywood with a thickness of 20 millimeters can be laid on it. Do not forget about small technological gaps at the junction of sheets. Screw the plywood to the base with self-tapping screws. This completes the installation of the podium.

Boxes can be made of any shape and type. The simplest option is to fasten two bars with a piece of thin plywood.

If you want to make a podium in your apartment, then think about the topcoat for this interesting design element. It can be laminate or carpet, tiles or parquet. If you want clearly demarcate the room. then use a floor covering that is different from the one that will be in the room. Otherwise, it is better to use similar material.

Podium in the apartment: photo