How to choose your mezzanine bed in 5 steps?

Mezzanine beds are THE space-saving beds par excellence. If you have a room with a high ceiling, this is often the preferred solution to overcome the lack of space or storage. You want to fit out a studio, your child's bedroom or even a living room with a mezzanine… How to choose it? Which materials to favor? What are the elements to check or to avoid?
We are here to answer all these questions and share with you our experience on sleeping arrangements space saving.

1 - What materials should you choose for your mezzanine?

You may already have your preference regarding the choice of material for your mezzanine. It is above all a matter of taste! For a more contemporary and warm feel, you will prefer solid wood models. If, on the contrary, you bet everything on a sober and simplistic design, you will undoubtedly opt for metal structures. But let us remind you of the benefits for each of them.

For your future purchase, you will generally have the choice between a wood or metal mezzanine.

Loft wooden beds (in kit) are more accessible on internal t. Available in one or two places, the high beds are mainly available in solid wood. You will more easily find frames in fir, spruce, or solid pine. It does not matter which type of wood you prefer as long as the cross section of the posts is sufficient to guarantee its stability and strength.

+ Unparalleled longevity and reliability
+ Wide choice of finishes and customizable (raw wood, varnished or stained )
+ Robustness
Advice : if the section of the posts is sufficient, your mezzanine will be strong enough not to be fixed to the wall. For comparison, we offer posts of 6.5 cm to 9 cm in section.

- Price proportional to the quality, quantity of wood and its origin.
These criteria are valid for solid wood products. You will also find MDF beds, with lower quality but more affordable in terms of price.

Metal mezzanine beds (in kit) are easily found in stores or on the internet. Available in one or two-seater version, its accessibility is its main asset. An interesting quality / price ratio which nevertheless has some drawbacks:

+ Affordable price.
Advice : take care to have the uprights of good sections for a suitable solidity.

- Wall mounting required.
- Material more sensitive to time (signs of oxidation)
- Personalization limited

2 - Space under the ceiling

Once you have chosen the type of mezzanine you want (wood / metal), the ceiling space you have available will help you define the dimensions of your mezzanine. It's tempting to head for high mezzanines in order to make the most of the space under the floor. However, there are a number of criteria and rules to be taken into account to prioritize your comfort or that of your child, on a daily basis.

- The ceiling height : see the manufacturer's recommendations concerning the minimum ceiling height to have for installation from the mezzanine. For beds of 2 meters high, it is generally recommended to have a ceiling of at least 2m50 (standard height).

- The height of the mattress : see the recommendations of the manufacturer regarding the height of the mattress to be used. Often there is a maximum thickness that should not be exceeded. Firstly, to ensure that the height is respected with the safety guardrail (see part 3 Safety: (4)). And secondly, to guarantee comfort when seated.

- The mattress / ceiling height: it must be adapted according to your needs. The person using the bed should be able to sit comfortably and calmly. For children and adolescents, the height between the top of the mattress and the ceiling should be at least 60 cm.

Once all these dimensions are in hand, you can choose the model that perfectly meets your needs.

3 - Security

We could not write this article without educating you about the safety of this type of bed. This is THE criterion to take into account before making your choice.
In France, beds in height (over 60 cm) are subject to strict regulations. When choosing, you should give preference to beds that meet the safety requirements of current standards. It is not always easy to be sure, especially if you decide to buy your bed on the internet. To help you, we are going to share four things to check before your purchase, detectable at a glance!

1 ) You must be able to explicitly read the words " complies with security requirements " (in written form or as a pictogram). This mention refers to the standards: NF EN 747-1 and NF EN 747-2 or NF D62100-1 and 62100-2.

The standard EN 747- 1 / < a href = "https://www.boutique.afnor.org/norme/nf-en-747-2a1/meubles-lits-superposes-et-lits-sureleves-partie-2-methodes-d-essai/article/ 827191 / fa059740? _Ga = 2.213029012.1271189366.1599633722-1900415853.1599633722 "target =" _ blank "> 2 defines the dimensional and mechanical safety specifications (strength and durability) of raised beds.
Standard D62100- 1 / 2 defines the dimensional and mechanical safety specifications (strength and durability) of loft beds.

2 ) You must be able to explicitly read the statement "high beds are not suitable for children under six span> "(in written form or as a pictogram).

3 ) The upper berth must be fitted with safety barriers (all around the bed, except for opening the access to the bed). lit).

4 ) The height between the safety barriers and the floor must be at least 26 cm. After installing the mattress you must keep a height of at least 16 cm between the top of the mattress and the top of the railing. These dimensions are not systematically entered, but the supplier must be able to provide them to you.

If the high bed is intended for a child, there are additional precautions to consider while using the bed:

- It is recommended to use the bed against a wall to prevent the child from getting trapped.
(The distance between the bed and the wall must not exceed 7.5 cm, and be at least 2.30 cm).
- Do not tie or hang items (ropes, strings, garlands, belts, bags…) on the upper parts of the mezzanine.
- Do not modify or tinker with the bed. The latter is specially designed with rounded angles and corners to prevent any risk of accident.

4 - Layout and space saving

The mezzanine bed offers many possibilities in terms of arrangement.
You can arrange the lower part of your bed in different ways: as a sleeping area, as an office area, as a living area or as a simply relaxation area. To make the best use of your square meters, the main thing is to keep in mind these two words: practicality and creativity !

Access from the bed:
If your room lacks storage, the choice of access is the opportunity to increase it. On the internet you will find stairs or ladders with ca interesting storage packages. You can combine the useful with the pleasant by opting for a staircase with storage cubes. Its design will please you as much as its multiple functions: staircase, bookcase, storage unit ... arrange it your way.

Layout options:
Regarding the organization of layouts, you can take advantage of the posts of your loft bed to install suitable accessories. You will easily find desks on the Internet, shelves, hanging shelves, bedside shelves and many other furniture. These are very functional and can also inspire you for other layout ideas.

With inspiration and a personal touch, you can create a bespoke living space that perfectly meets your needs.

5 - A customizable mezzanine

Once you have chosen the type, dimensions and arrangements of your high bed, it remains to define the finish. This last detail is very important if you want to have a mezzanine that reflects your image and matches the ambiance of your room.

At ABC Meubles , you can customize the color of the different elements of your mezzanine. We manufacture them on demand in our workshop in Normandy. Let your creativity and your desires speak for themselves!

For example, our Sylvia model is available with different accesses: cube staircase, miller's staircase and single inclined ladder. We manufacture it in a one-seater (90x200) and two-seater (120x200 / 140x200 / 160x200) model.
We offer a wide choice of colors. In wood finish, color or even bi-color, you will inevitably find what you are looking for. And if you want to paint or varnish your bed yourself, we also offer the raw finish.

If you have any questions or inquiries, we can be reached by phone at 0233628383 or by email commercial@abc-meubles.com .