Design with a podium - not only beautiful, but also multifunctional

Podiums in the interiors have existed for a long time, as well as multi-level floors. But in our homes, until recently, were not common. There were a number of reasons, for example, the presence of insufficiently high ceilings, and also for the construction of a reliable podium, the materials were not of high quality. Here in public organizations and institutions podiums were used quite often. And this fashion has come to living quarters relatively recently, along with fashion for original design solutions, as well as for thematic interiors, for example, japanese style. Today, catwalks in the interior have become a very popular and common element in the field of design.

Several types of podiums are distinguished, depending on their purpose:

1. technical - a simple example - for equipment in a bathroom shower;
2. functional - those that are used for zoning the space or for storing things;
3. design - bearing a purely decorative function

For the construction of the podium, it was always believed that it was necessary to have a spacious large room. However, according to designers, the catwalks are advisable either in very spacious rooms, or in small, but with high ceilings, because in this case, the podium saves space.
Among other things, the catwalk is one of their methods for zoning space.

At the same time, the zone located on the podium is dominant in the interior of the room, primarily attracting attention. This should always be considered when dividing the space into zones. By raising the floor, a border is created.

Also, podiums are very often used to store things. This is very convenient, especially if the room is small and you need to save space. Very relevant for minimalist style. With the help of a frame podium, one of the interior zones is placed on it, and a closet is equipped directly in the podium where you can store any things: linen, clothes, books, toys, etc.
Another way to use the podium is to use it as a couch. It is usually used in bedrooms, very often in oriental style, and replaces the bed. With this option, the frame is used as a podium. Often it is covered with a foam pad and a very nice touch so that it is completely soft. The shape can be oval, round or streamlined. By the way, such a couch is also suitable for the interior of a living room or office, or the attic. And if this is a bedroom, then with the help of a mattress and a podium, you can organize a real wonderful sleeping place.

Very often there is a need to create floor lighting. For this, a podium is being built in which the fixtures are mounted. Usually, such a design technique creates a romantic atmosphere in the room, and sometimes it is also necessary for exposure lighting - this is when you need to highlight a mini-exhibition or some separate interior thing.
Very often, the podium is used in the TV zone, first of all, to highlight it, and secondly, as a mask for numerous cables and wires.

In addition to the decorative functions, the catwalks in the bathroom carry out many other roles. For example, when you need to move the bath away from the sewer riser or equip a shower that will be at a distance, you need to install drain pipes that will create the room, frankly, the picture is not very. A catwalk is used to mask them. Usually a bathtub and a stationary shower cabin rise. Sometimes it’s easier to drown the bath in the podium, which is tiled.By the way, we should not forget about the creation of hidden hatches for access to utilities.

In general, in the bathroom, only technical podiums are mainly used, the purpose of which is to hide communications.

Using podiums in the interior of different rooms, some details should be considered. For example, the fact that they contribute to a change in the geometry of the room, and also hide the flaws of the layout. If you use podiums of a semicircular or other complex shape in spacious large rooms, this will create a very interesting visual effect. Such a room is visually perceived as with a non-standard dynamic layout.
If the ceilings are low, then the construction of the podium is possible, only it should not occupy a large area of ​​the room, even half of it. Otherwise, it will create a visual effect of an even lower and uncomfortable room.

In the children's room of a child under the age of three, the organization of the podium is generally undesirable in order to avoid injuries. It is also not recommended to organize podiums in walk-through areas for the simple reason that each time crossing the step boundary will cause discomfort in the best case, and the same injury in the worst case.
You should also pay attention to the decoration of the podium, especially the step and the joint, which is most often damaged. Finishing materials must be safe and not slippery.