High style, extravagance, luxury - such associations cause only one mention of the word "podium". The architectural element, which in ancient times adorned the ancient temples and royal palaces, today moved into private mansions and ordinary, standard apartments. Of course, the modern podium in the interior is much laconic than its predecessors, but its functionality has only increased. He enriches the living space and gives him new, sometimes unexpected opportunities. Structurally, the podium is an elevation of a certain section of the floor or, otherwise, a platform. To create it, foam blocks, wood, expanded clay concrete and other building materials are used. With the right design design, the podium seamlessly fits into the interior of the living room, bedroom, kitchen, modifying and decorating them.

Universal designs are becoming more common. They combine all the advantages and capabilities of their "competitors". But whatever role the podium plays, it inevitably draws its eye to it. It simply obliges him to be beautiful. Thanks to ultra-modern and traditional finishing materials, you can create an elevation in any style: from the intricately-elegant baroque to the rough loft. Details of each type are given below.

       

Zoning

Decorative podiums serve not only to decorate the room, but also for its visual division into functional areas. They are also used to change the proportions of rooms, creating visual effects. For example, help to "move apart" the walls, "lift" the ceilings, visually increasing the entire space or its individual areas. With the help of a decorative platform, focus on an interesting subject, or, on the contrary, divert attention from a problematic place.

The height of the decorative podium can be insignificant - only a few centimeters. This option is suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

Otherwise, there may be a feeling that the ceiling hangs too low, which will lead to discomfort. If the configuration of the room allows, you can build and a half-meter platform, which is able to become the main subject of the interior and at the same time emphasize non-standard high ceilings.

       

To store things

Podiums are a great alternative to wardrobes and mezzanines. Forming a sealed space inside themselves, they are ideal for storing clothes, pastel accessories and other things. The standard location of functional platforms is:

• living rooms;
• bedrooms;
• children's;
• kitchen;
• balconies.

A classic example of functionality is the podium bed. Using it in a small Khrushchev, you get a roomy closet, a comfortable work desk and a spacious sleeping place. A significant part of the apartment remains free, the clutter and clutter effect disappears. The use of the platform as a storage for household items is a noticeable increase in useful space. Another option is to place the main area of ​​the interior on the dais, for example, to install a TV with speakers on top. The internal space is neatly filled with household things, cables are also laid there.

     

A way to hide communications

Creating in the interior decorative and functional podiums, usually guided only by desire. While the arrangement of technical podiums in many cases is the only way to hide objects that spoil the interior.

See also: Decor of a coffee table with your own hands

Under the elevations it is especially convenient to hide various technological elements, including electrical wires and pipes. This is an excellent option for old houses, where communication systems are particularly striking in the general background and are able to spoil even the most stylish interior.

And the creation of the podium will cost much less than a cardinal reconstruction of the premises with the replacement of unsightly water supply and sewerage units. The usual place for installing camouflage platforms are kitchens and bathrooms, through which several pipes pass. The need to hide cables can arise in any room. Therefore, the technical podium, even in spite of its usual purpose, should also be aesthetic. This will allow him to perform in parallel and decorative function: to give the room a modern look and personality.

Ideas for location and use

In the studio apartment

In studio apartments, designers often use multifunctional podiums, which simultaneously serve both for storing things, for masking wires, and for zoning. With the help of podiums separate the sleeping area from working or dining. The kitchen area looks original on a low rise. Welcome smooth surfaces and glossy monophonic colors. The style of techno or minimalism is maintained. If the studio area is not large, a working area with a table and bookshelves rises to the high podium. In the niche of the podium, a sliding bed is placed. Since the podium will turn out high, you will need to equip the ladder. In its steps are placed drawers, which can be stored as bedding, and CDs, documents, first-aid kit. If space is sufficient, 2-3 podiums are arranged, which makes it convenient and beautiful to single out all functional zones.

       

In a one-room apartment

The specificity of a one-room apartment is the need to create conditions for sleeping, working and receiving guests in the same room. The task is solved by a high platform, decorated in an oriental style. It will replace both the sofa for guests and the bed for the hosts. Characteristic features of this design:

• pillows and blankets in variegated covers;
• carpet with fringe;
• drawers;
• decor elements with ornament.

A small, narrow podium will nicely divide a long, narrow room in half. Another option is to set the elevation end-to-end against a narrow wall, but not near the window. The room will become much cozier. For the square rooms are suitable narrow and high podiums, inside of which there are storage places. Comfortable will be a built-in bed, which does not have to be refilled every morning and before the arrival of guests.

In the living room

If there are families with small children in the living room, the guest area rises to the platform, and the play zone - settles on the floor. This solution is convenient for babies and for their parents. A similar option will please and fans to dance. On the catwalk in the living room looks organic:

• pianoforte;
• home theater;
• sofa;
• dinner table.

The upper level with a sofa or table becomes an ideal space for relaxation and quiet communication. If the podium serves as a kind of stand under the plasma panel and speakers, then in its cavities perfectly hide all the wires and adapters. Thanks to this, the technical details will not spoil the impression, and the interior will appear before the guests in all its glory. Creating a podium in the living room, take into account that it is he who will focus on his attention, so think through every detail, including the color of the finish or drapery.

See also: Types of soft corners for the kitchen +75 photo

In the nursery

The design of a room for children is created taking into account their age requirements. The closest attention is paid to security issues. It is desirable that every element of the interior promotes the development of children, and the overall situation was as comfortable as possible. For twins, a podium is arranged, at the top of which there are places for study, and inside - two beds. On a low podium, you can arrange a game corner. The place for toys will be drawers, "hidden" inside. For older children, the podium can act as a large table with bookshelves. An interesting design solution for a boy over 5 years old is a high two-level podium. On the first floor there is a dressing room with clothes, and upstairs there is a bed with side walls. With this design of the children's room, there is a lot of free space for outdoor games.

In the bedroom

Many people still in their childhood formed the image of a bed, worthy of princesses and queens. She always stands on the dais, and to go to bed, you need to climb the steps of the podium. A luxurious canopy, hiding a spacious bed, adds mystery. Thanks to the catwalk, the daily wake-up ceremony takes on an aura of solemnity and importance. On the podium, the make-up table with a mirror looks great. A good idea is to pick up a mirror that repeats the shape of the podium. Of course, the use of such a voluminous and complex structure, like the podium, should not just be a tribute to fashion. It should be dictated by the vital need to improve the living space for themselves and their loved ones.

In the bathroom

The classic design variant is a bath built in the podium with steps. It looks beautiful and solemn, but requires measures to ensure security. Anti-slip coating will help you feel more confident. The technical podium in the bathroom is designed to hide the pipes. To have access to key communication nodes, the podium is equipped with doors. In private houses, the risers can be placed not in the bathroom, but in other rooms. The same bath is often installed in the center, which creates difficulties with drainage. Lifting the bath on the podium helps to clear this problem and ensure proper drainage of water. To the podium in parallel with its technical function, additionally zoned space, use a tile of different shades. In light colors, walls and floors are trimmed, and the podium is laid out with a darker tile. Multi-level lighting will make the interior richer and more comfortable, even more attract attention to such an original subject.

In the kitchen-dining room

It is worth to use the podium in the kitchen-dining room, directly depends on its layout. A large space must be zoned. On the podium is installed a bar with a pair of chairs. Given the serious load, it is advisable to choose a kitchen (and bathroom) monolithic podium. In a medium-sized room, the dining area is elevated, separating it from the working area.

To better indicate the boundaries between functional areas, contrasting colors are used. A bold idea is a kitchen in high-tech style, in black and white.

For its implementation, the floor is laid out with a white tile, and the podium is black. At a considerable height of the ceilings, a storeroom with household utensils is transferred to the raised platform, which does not fit into the existing interior. Inside - drawers for detergents. This solution will help to maintain an impeccable order in the kitchen and emphasize its individuality.

Bed-podium

A modern bed-podium is able to become the design core of the bedroom, around which the entire interior will be built. Even the Japanese opened the convenience of a multi-tiered place to sleep. They first saw in the space under the mattress a suitable place, where you could put together a variety of things: from everyday clothes, to weapons and jewelry. And today, podiums traditionally provide additional storage space. They also transform the room visually and give it new more harmonious proportions and outlines. Planning the acquisition of such an important piece of furniture, with all seriousness come to the process of his choice. Familiarity with the internal arrangement of the podium beds, their advantages and classification will help create pleasant conditions for sleep and rest.

See also: Dressing table in the interior of the bedroom

       

Classification

При всем разнообразии дизайнерских исполнений, кровати-подиумы конструктивно подразделяются на две основных категории: кровати со спальным местом, расположенным на подиуме и выдвижные кровати, расположенные внутри. Classification подиумных кроватей по функциональным признакам во многом похожа на классификацию обычных подиумов. Они также подразделяются на:

• functional;
• technical;
• decorative;
• complementary.

Functional frame structures with a mattress at the top of the podium are complemented by an internal storage system, for example, in the form of drawers. In general, multifunctionality is characteristic for podium beds. The sleeping place can easily be transformed into a place of work or rest with comfortable sitting places and hard surfaces, where you can put a laptop or put a cup of tea. There are also special boxes for wires.

       

Advantages and functions of sleeping places on a hill

Beds-podiums - are functional, practical, they keep warm well in winter and cool in summer, which makes sleep sound and pleasant. Among the main functions:

• zoning space;
• correction of the proportions of the room;
• careful storage of things;
• decoration of the room.

With a visual change of space, the podiums are not perfectly shown to be not rectangular or square, but round and oval in shape. This piece of furniture does not take up the area of ​​the apartment in vain, but on the contrary, allows you to restore complete order in a limited private area and subsequently easily maintain it.

       

With your own hands

You can assemble the bed-podium yourself, even without the experience of such work. Given the height of the ceiling and the area of ​​the room, calculate the optimal height of the podium, its overall dimensions. Weight load on the floor should be in the range of 600 kg per square meter. m. A drawing is created showing all the elements of the structure, including each box. The step-by-step instruction for creating a bed with overall dimensions of 2 m (width), 1.5 m (depth), 0.5 m (height), contains the following steps:

1. Using small bars (50/50) construct the frame, leaving a gap between the lags and the wall of about 2 cm for the installation of sound insulation.
2. Vertical racks (pillars) are being built.
3. Fasten the upper struts and lags.
4. The front and upper parts of the frame are lined with sheets of chipboard with a thickness of 15-18 mm.
5. Install the hinges for the lids of the boxes and the drawers themselves.
6. The final podium trim carpet.
7. Mattress installation.

This is just one option from hundreds of others, more complex for self-assembly. To get the best result, only high-quality materials are selected and all calculations are carried out with maximum accuracy.

Conclusion

Daring to take such a step as installing a podium, you need to foresee what will result from this in the end. If before, when undertaking repairs, you could face a variety of surprises, but today, computer-based 3D modeling programs allow you to see in detail the upcoming result. Thanks to the desire to improve the interior, the most daring and original design ideas come to life. Podiums in the interior of modern apartments - this is not an ordinary tribute to fashion. With their help, the full potential of the available space is used. The standard solutions are replaced by individual solutions, and each person has the opportunity to equip his house for his personal needs.