Duplex apartments, with spacious hallways and beautiful staircases, are gaining popularity every day. Such housing is easy and simple to distribute into functional areas and arrange in a certain style, without thinking about saving space. However, when arranging an apartment, which is divided into an upper and lower level, it is important to take into account the layout features, advantages and disadvantages. It is better to entrust the design of this type of dwelling to a professional designer. After all, here you will have to solve many important issues relating to many points, and this will require certain experience and knowledge. But if you want to do it yourself, then you should familiarize yourself with the main points of arranging modern two-level apartments.
Advantages
Living in an apartment consisting of two floors is as comfortable as living in a private house. A lot of available space, usually at least 100 sq.m, allows you to realize the most interesting and bold design ideas. Perhaps you want to decorate each floor in different styles or highlight the functional areas in different shades, it is easy to implement any ideas here. Due to the doubled area, it is possible to clearly distinguish between guest and private space. On the lower tier there is an entrance hall, living room, kitchen, dining room, guest rooms. On the top there is a bedroom, children's rooms for a boy and a girl, an office, a dressing room. In a two-story apartment, the staircase is a remarkable accent object that draws attention. Bunk apartments are always distinguished by luxury and comfort.
disadvantages
As you know, luxury always comes at a cost. Two-story apartments have a large area, so significant amounts will be spent on utility bills. The operation and arrangement of such housing requires large financial costs. Another significant drawback is poor sound insulation. For example, if guests make noise on the first floor, it will be clearly audible on the second. Also in such apartments it is not recommended to do redevelopment. The kitchen and bathroom cannot be moved to another place because their communications must remain where it was intended by the designers. The same applies to the location of the stairs, which cannot be moved for a number of technical reasons.
Stylistic direction
It seems that by creating the design of a two-level apartment, you can give free rein to your imagination and decorate each room in different styles. But this is far from being the case because, moving from one room to another, a strong contrast will be felt, the apartment will seem less comfortable and organized. It is best to erase the boundaries and equip the apartment in a single style. This will result in a more orderly, spectacular and spacious environment. And you can make the interior of each individual room individual if you choose different decor, textiles and other details.
The main styles in modern interiors of two-level apartments:
- minimalism;
- high tech;
- loft;
- avant-garde, art deco;
- Scandinavian.
Minimalism is the most popular trend in the design of two-story housing. This option uses a minimum of furniture and decor, which allows you to create a stylish, elegant interior in which order and comfort reign. A similar design principle has an ultra-modern hi-tech high-tech style, with clear, regular shapes, without drawings, abstractions on the walls. In an industrial loft, brick, concrete surfaces, various beams, and rafters serve as thematic decor. Avant-garde and art deco are distinguished by an extraordinary setting, where many details differ from classical forms and break conventional stereotypes. Scandinavian style or constructivism successfully combines aesthetics and functionality in modern interiors. The best solution would be to stick to one color option in the main design. So the home will be perceived more spacious and orderly.
In bright colors
When predominantly light shades are used in the decoration, this visually expands the space. Any dark detail against such a background will stand out strongly and play an accent role. Thus, you can play on the contrast. For example, in a snow-white interior, a black staircase looks stylish and expensive, as well as pieces of furniture of the same shade. And if you complete the entire interior in a gentle, warm, pastel range, the atmosphere will turn out to be light, elegant, cozy and luxurious.
Mix of colors and textures
In one space, it is desirable to use a minimum number of different colors and textures. This solution will avoid unwanted mistakes and create a harmonious interior.
The most successful combinations of different textures in the interior:
- leather with wood;
- smooth and embossed surfaces;
- wood with natural stone;
- any surface with mirror, glass, metal.
The leather upholstery of the furniture goes well with the wooden surfaces of the floors and panels. If the room has plain walls, then you can highlight the accent area with the help of relief surfaces, three-dimensional drawings, 3D panels, textured plaster. Wooden elements are perfectly combined with brickwork, natural stone or their imitation. The most win-win combination is the combination of smooth, glossy surfaces with embossed, textured, matte ones. Mirrors, glass, metal parts are appropriate in any interior, as well as live indoor plants. If you want to design the room in one shade, then you can highlight the functional areas using different textures. Combining several tones, it is worth choosing one dominant and complementing it with other representatives of the palette. You should first familiarize yourself with the color schemes, which will allow you to choose the most successful combinations that can be applied in practice.
different design
In a two-level dwelling, the basic principle of design is similar to the arrangement of the interior of a studio apartment. Where it is necessary to adhere to a single style throughout the area. The main thing is to make the living room, dining room, hall, flight of stairs in the same style, and in the bedroom, nursery, study, you can display the main direction only in some fragments and details of the decor. It is allowed to use competent eclecticism when several styles are mixed in one room. But you don’t need to use a radically different design for each room, as the home will look unorganized and tasteless.
Design features
Multi-storey apartments have a number of structural systems, which allows you to create an exclusive environment, emphasize individuality. For example, one large window, the size of the entire height of two tiers, will make the space very bright, it will look impressive and luxurious. In an apartment located on the top floor, you can create an attic room, which will serve as an office, library or room for relaxation and privacy. In the case when the upper level is made a mezzanine tier, the height of the lower floor can reach more than four meters. This makes it possible to use various decorative beams, large objects, large paintings, voluminous chandeliers for decorating the ceiling, which will not look bulky and will favorably emphasize the individuality of the design. Any design feature of a two-story apartment can be turned into a unique advantage of planning, if you connect imagination, creative thinking. To find inspiration, you should look at successful design projects of multi-level modern dwellings in order to draw interesting ideas and turn them into reality.
Subtleties of sound insulation
In a two-level apartment, it is quite difficult to solve the problem of sound insulation. The sound propagates along the stairwell from bottom to top or vice versa. This problem is especially relevant in dwellings where living rooms or halls unite two floors. Therefore, in bedrooms, offices, rooms where it is important to achieve comfortable silence, it is necessary to install doors with certain soundproofing parameters. It also does not hurt to improve the sound insulation of walls and floors with the help of specialized building materials. To do this correctly, you can trust the professionals, or look for and study the instructions that you need to follow when eliminating the problem of insufficient sound insulation on your own.
Staircase - accent in the room
It does not matter where the staircase is located, near the wall or in the center of the room, it is the main decoration of a two-story apartment and plays an accent role.
Types of stairs:
- marching;
- screw;
- console;
- on the pains.
The most basic requirement for stairs is safety, especially if small children and the elderly live in the apartment. The simplest and safest are mid-flight structures, which can be made of different materials, most often wood or metal. Spiral staircases allow you to save space and give your home an aesthetic zest. It is important to make the calculations correctly so that too sharp turns do not cause falls and injuries. Console steps are attached to the wall and create the effect of floating in the air. It looks unusually stylish and fantastic, ideal for cutting-edge hi-tech or extraordinary avant-garde. The structures on the rails do not have a frame, the steps are attached directly to the railing, it looks original, light and aesthetically pleasing. The staircase should be designed in accordance with the main style of the interior and be as safe as possible.
A living room with a high ceiling makes the space of a country house more emotional and expressive. What to think about when planning a two-level living room so that there is no extra trouble later? What nuances should be taken into account when organizing lighting, heating and ventilation? And what to do with unwanted acoustic effects?
3 Use your height wisely
Make a gallery or mezzanine. There you can place a corner for secluded relaxation, an office, a library. The gallery can serve as a passage to other areas of the house.
5 Architectural elements
beautiful staircase- leading to the second floor, to the gallery or to the mezzanine. It can become the main decoration of a high light space. Beams and supporting structures of mezzanines can also be beaten in the interior.
In the photo: staircase 02 from the Santo Passaia factory.
4 How to arrange
Stylistic unity. All rooms visible from the living room and adjoining it - including those located on the mezzanine - must be decorated in the same style. Choose colors and materials carefully.
6 How to heat
Sophisticated heating system. It is difficult to heat a large volume: it requires considerable energy costs and all kinds of measures to reduce heat loss.
Plan a window on the mezzanine. Otherwise, due to natural convection, warm air from below will rise upward and it may turn out to be too stuffy on the mezzanines.
7 Windows and curtains
Special mechanisms and automation- will be needed to open and close high windows, as well as control curtains. The most convenient models with a remote control. Most likely, you will have to call a cleaning company to wash windows.
Supply valves- install them so that the windows do not fog up and condensation does not appear on them. Usually one valve is installed on one leaf.
8 Scents
Forced ventilation required. Without it, smells (for example, food or cigarettes) will rise from the bottom up - from the living room and dining room to the second floor, where bedrooms and a nursery can be located.
9 Noises
Acoustics can be unpredictable. A high ceiling often serves as a resonator and amplifies even the quietest sounds. It is recommended to install sound-absorbing doors in the premises of the second floor.
For home theater, call a specialist- so that when installing the equipment, he would adjust the acoustics in a room with a complex volume.
10 Additional daylight source
Skylights. They will come in handy if the two-level living room has a sloping ceiling. The roof structure - beams, ceilings - can be left open.
11 Artificial lighting
You will need more light than in an ordinary living room. Consider the location of the main source of light and backlight. In any case, you can't do without it. Particular attention - niches under the mezzanine and under the stairs. Difficulties can arise when attaching a chandelier to a sloping ceiling and when replacing light bulbs at high altitudes.
Examples of interiors with double-height living rooms
Comment on FB Comment on VK
Also in this section
Width="100%">
Kitchen-living room for a family with a child.
Question from a reader and several options for layouts.
The kitchen combined with the living room is a popular solution today. How to plan the interior of the kitchen-living room when the owners need a lot of work surfaces, but do not need a separate dining area?
What difficulties can be encountered and what should be considered when planning an open space? Experts from the Pobeda Design architectural bureau will tell you about the intricacies of combining a bedroom with a living room.
Is it possible to equip a living room on 10-12 square meters? Certainly! To make the room look spacious, you do not need to use the entire arsenal of design techniques - understand the basic principles.
The immediate proximity of these two zones is convenient for small apartments with one owner, but the degree of autonomy can be different and depends on the preferences of the owner and the life scenario. Consider 8
Duplex apartments are a real dream for most people who prefer space with separate zones. Only in apartments of this type can you find the feeling of your home in the center of a huge metropolis. In this case, it is customary to place a classic bedroom on the second floor, but the guest area, study, kitchen with dining room are on the first floor.
Advantages of duplex apartments
Apartments of this type have a huge number of advantages.
- Firstly, it is the possibility of zoning.
- Secondly, the presence of a staircase, which is not only an indispensable attribute, but also part of the decor.
- Thirdly, a large amount of free, and at the same time open space. At the same time, in recent years, small apartments are also often found, consisting of two levels, but made of apartments of a small area with standard ceilings.
Of course, when choosing the layout of a two-level apartment, you need to understand that there are some structural features. For example, it is especially important that all floors are strong, and when planning rooms located on the second level, you cannot do without an accurate calculation.
It is important to think in advance about the location of ventilation systems for water supply, as well as electricians, so that everything is done in accordance with standards and norms. This will avoid any inconvenience during your stay in the future.
The indisputable advantage of a modern two-story apartment is the ability to simultaneously use several styles in the interior, where the staircase acts as a link. It is she who is the main element of decor in the house and in no case should be left without an interesting designer's decision.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose a straight, cantilever or any other type of stairs. It can also be made due to materials such as glass, wood, metal or any other. In addition, in the past few years, designers have even offered to equip the staircase with an additional slide, which is designed for children to play.
Features of a duplex apartment of a technical nature
A clear layout with a mandatory static character is the main difference between almost any two-story apartment from any other. There are a number of items that are prohibited from being moved to any other place. It turns out that in two-story apartments they must, in any case, remain where they were originally designed.
So, under no circumstances will you definitely be able to change the layout of the front door, bathroom with toilet, stairs, as well as the space intended for the kitchen during the design of a two-story apartment. This is an important point that must be taken into account even before purchasing an apartment.
Layout of a new two-story apartment
The project of this type of apartment is almost always based on the obligatory division of the entire area of the apartment into two spaces: private and public.
The second space is usually understood as: the first floor, which houses the kitchen with a dining room, a guest room, a pantry, a place to work in the form of an office, bedrooms for guests who decide to stay overnight with you.
An important point. The ideal option is when the rooms are grouped by functionality. For example, from the dining room there is direct access to the kitchen, and from the office to the library.
In the case when the area is small enough in the apartment, the ideal option is to use decorative partitions. It is with the help of them that you can easily divide rooms into functional zones.
There are two-level economy class apartments, the peculiarity of which is a small area of about 70 square meters. It is these apartments that usually require a truly ideal layout of two-level apartments, in which it is necessary to take into account the real estate of certain elements and use them most harmoniously.
Which staircase to choose for a two-level apartment
Looking at various photos of duplex apartments, it is impossible not to notice that the main attribute of any construction project is the staircase. In apartments of this type, it is more of a functional necessity, while being a contender for the title of the main part of any interior.
Traditionally, it is located in the center or next to a wall that can serve as a support. The width and height of the steps always comply with building codes, and are also selected depending on the wishes of the residents of the apartment. At the moment, it is always worth paying attention, since the safety of not only the owners of the apartments, but also all guests directly depends on this seemingly very small nuance.
Types of stairs
Marching staircase. This type of staircase is usually made of either wood or stone. Its main advantage is safety. In addition, if you use curly supports made of high quality wood, then in this way you can perfectly complement almost any interior.
It is important to note that this type of ladder has a significant drawback. Usually it occupies at least 20 square meters, so it is not suitable for all apartments. Moreover, if you like styles such as modern, country or art - far away, then this model is ideal.
Cantilever staircase. From the outside, it may seem that such a ladder literally soars on weight. That is why she always looks stylish and very modern.
If desired, the staircase can be built without railings. The only drawback is that it must be fixed near the wall. This significantly affects its operational capabilities.
A spiral staircase is one of the most popular options because it is quite compact. They are presented today in a wide variety of variations in almost any form. Such styles as modern, hi-tech can ideally fit in. The only downside is the inconvenience to use.
Wrought iron staircase. Artistic forging is simply impossible to underestimate. Any of the combinations will look just perfect in modern style. Therefore, if you like exclusive, and also often use metal as a material, then you will certainly appreciate the elegance of this decor element.
Bolts ladder. The peculiarity of such models is that they do not have a frame, and they are fastened with bolts to the railing. Looks perfect in combination with any style of the room. Due to stability, strength, and ergonomics, they are a good enough option for a two-story apartment.
The design always looks easy, and at the same time takes up very little space. When working out the design of this staircase, you can make steps from almost any material, from stone to glass.
Regardless of which design you choose, it is quite easy to make a beautiful interior of a two-level apartment, turning each of the floors of your house into a real work of art in a short time. All that needs to be done is only at the planning stage to invest your whole soul and not be afraid of the embodiment of even the most incredible fantasies.
Photo design duplex apartments
Of course, in a standard Soviet-built apartment, there is no way to make a multi-level redevelopment. But if, for example, you are going to build a new house, then, at current land prices, this option will give you the opportunity to significantly increase your living space. Such a restructuring is good in the "old fund", in houses with high ceilings. It will allow not only to expand the space, but also to use one room for different purposes.
The second tier of the apartment can become a true decoration of your home, and will also help solve problems with the layout. On it you can easily place a bedroom, a library, a work area or a winter garden.
Designed by designers Jose Maria Saez and Daniel Moreno Flores, this option is made of natural wood and is located above the kitchen-dining room. Neat, quite original, with natural light through a panoramic window, in our climate zone it is quite suitable for a summer house or as a second floor in a cafe.
In the house, proposed by the architect Carter-Williams, the bedroom, located on the second level, creates the visual feeling of a studio apartment.
This small (only 29 square meters) Polish second-floor apartment by design firm 3XA features a master bedroom with a king-size bed above the bathroom and hallway.
In the project of restructuring the Oriental Warehouse Loft, a historic building in San Francisco, the specialists of the Italian House Studio by Studioata have completely redesigned the attic, completely unnecessary in the apartment, into a living area. Architects Edmonds and Lee provided a bedroom, bath and library on the second level. Here the space is also increased due to glass railings, transparent walls in the bathroom. Which, of course, deprives the owner of such an apartment of privacy, but at the same time gives a sense of freedom. The combination of heavy hardwood floors and exposed old bricks with sleek, light modern finishes, clear glass panels and a weightless steel staircase make the house a little strange, but completely unique and unrepeatable.
Dark walls, a white ceiling, a contrast of wood and metal, a sharp separation of the main space and the additional level are presented in this apartment in the Unité d'Habitation, a famous house in Marseille, built by the architect Le Corbusier.
Here is another version of two-level housing, presented by the Italian company Studioata. Clearly separated from the rest of the space by a contrasting wooden shelf and adorned with a floating staircase, this home office adds personality to a typical studio apartment.
Such an unusual bathroom was created by Dutch architects Leijh, Kappelhof, Seckel, van den Dobbelsteen. In this work, the top floor is again converted from the attic of an old house.
The project of Maxim Zhukov is also interesting. It roughly combines gray stone, wood and metal. A floating staircase, a simple platform that seems to hang freely above the bed, and the correct orientation to the windows make the home office very distinctive.
And this apartment was created in the attic of a former convent located in Val-d'Ois, north of Paris. A cozy seating area is located above the kitchen and a spacious dining area.
Such an apartment in Toronto is offered by the design firm Buildall Construction. The upper level in it is represented by a bedroom above a voluminous dressing room.
A balance between dark floors, white walls, glass railings and a floating oak staircase - all this is in the project of the famous American architect Paul Rudolph.
A creative bathtub over a chic bed is presented by the English firm Wells Mackereth. At the same time, the bed, located under the upper tier, is as if in a niche, which undoubtedly adds intimacy to this free and bright room.
An elegant, clean-lined cabinet is perfect for people who work from home. Thin railings give more light, as if expanding the boundaries of space and filling the entire room with light and air.
Soft lines, glass railings and once again the classic combination of white and black make this penthouse, designed by London-based design firm Foster & Partners, look like a space station from a sci-fi movie.
Another very nice option, in which the kitchen-living room is located below, the bedroom is upstairs, and huge windows are the perfect solution for a small space. White walls, giving more light, are suitable for any interior, but they look especially elegant here, in a room with a small footage.
Another version of the bedroom, romantic, the second level of which is presented in the form of a terrace. The glass railings do not interfere with the beautiful view from the window.
Transparent railings are simply the perfect option for any small space. Here, the upper tier is represented by a living area located above the kitchen and dining room.
Combining the warmth of wood and the vigor of greenery, the second tier can contrast sharply with the rest of the room. For such a spectacular decor, you can use both live and artificial plants.
And this is an excellent version of the room for a teenager. In such a room, the second level allows you to create a spacious sleeping place, leaving space for bookshelves and a seating area below.
And another option on how to fit a comfortable free bed in a modest area.
Here is another version of the glass railing duplex apartment by Spanish designer Luis Puerta. A great way to expand a home while separating different rooms.
With dining and kitchen downstairs and seating upstairs, this home was rebuilt from a chapel in Wiltshire.
"Nothing more" is the motto of Japanese designer Naoko Horib. The second level here is delimited by two internal balconies.
The dining room is downstairs, the library is on the second level, and the bedroom is on the third. Such an excellent solution is feasible, however, only in a room with really very high ceilings.
A spacious bed connected to the main room by an almost airy spiral staircase. Bright spots on a background of white and steel. All this gives a small apartment a modern, stylish and completely individual look.
This quirky apartment with a library under the stairs, by Marc Koehler Architects, has been converted from a former harbor pub in Holland. Very atmospheric!
White space, bright kitchen furniture, a bedroom above a snow-white bathroom - this is another option for increasing the space from the Airside design bureau.
An example of an apartment in Gothenburg demonstrates how a second level and good design can greatly increase your apartment. In this project, you can note the large windows and white walls, which, as we said above, visually expand any space.
The contrast of black and white, a small second level for a seating area (or maybe a small boudoir?), floating white stairs that grow right out of the air make this bedroom elegant and romantic.
A chic modern design based on the standard combination of white, wood and metal. Beautiful bedroom under a sloping roof. Broken lines and gorgeous accessories. This masterpiece was created in Stockholm.
Thus, having seen so many wonderful, unique and completely different options for two-level apartments, we can conclude that multi-level rooms, white color, glass and a lot of natural light are a great way to expand the space if necessary.
Designed by Loïc Picquet Architecte in Dijon, Burgundy, France, this modern duplex home, Maison L, was designed by Loïc Picquet Architecte. Its exterior and interior are the embodiment of ideal minimalism. The facade is completely wooden, only the outer doors are glass, because they open the house and fill it with a lot of natural light, erasing any boundaries with the surrounding nature.
Another unique feature of this house is its complex relief and how it influenced the design of the house itself, namely the entrance. Since the two-level house is located on a slope, it can be accessed from both the first and second floors. Therefore, the garage terrace that you see in the photos is located next to the entrance of the second floor. Interesting approach, isn't it? As for the interior, it is presented in a minimalist style in white tones.
Among the trees and lush bushes, a completely modern house of geometric shapes is hidden.
The location of this house is as impressive as its wooden facade.
In fact, this garage adjoins the second floor.
Inside, the interior pleases us with its minimal approach and white-hued furniture.
Furniture in the kitchen is also white! Modern minimalist look!
The black countertop creates a contrast in the interior.
This room looks like a bedroom or playroom, and yes, it's white too! Instead of curtains, windows are covered with blinds, and they are located on the back of the window.
A white staircase leads to the second floor. She seems to be hiding in the interior.
In the bathroom, the shower area is decorated with gray tiles.
Gray flooring and wooden doors go well with the white interior of the house.
This area is located on the second floor; it functions as a terrace and a garage at the same time.
The unfinished concrete staircase and landing below gives the house an industrial feel.
Metal stair railings are another unique approach.
Notice how the second floor on the back of the house becomes the first.
The cross section will help you better understand the project of this house.
What do you think about this house? Do you find it interesting? Yes, you can find some experimentation with styles here, but in the end, a very attractive design came out. And all thanks to the Loïc Picquet Architecte studio, which was able to design a modern and cozy home. Well, what can I say, everyone has a dream home, and this family got it!
