The Block 2024: Six creative ways to utilise a mezzanine

Even though this is a sprawling country and the average Aussie house size is considered to be amongst the largest in the world, we are obsessed with not wasting any space.

Enter the mezzanine, an additional floor installed in high-ceilinged rooms to create an open space. Mezzanines are a smart and cost-effective way to increase a property’s attributes. But the issue with mezzanines is that they can be, well, mega-problematic.

They’re tricky because while, in theory, they could make a terrific little reading nook or an overflow area for the kids to watch TV, the issue is that they are essentially an open-plan space. Noise will travel between the mezzanine level and the spaces below: careful planning and insulation are key to ensuring sound is minimised.

There are also rules and regulations that need to be complied with when adding a mezzanine to a property. These include how high they can be, how much weight they can take, and what they can be used for.

But with a creative and strategic approach, these spaces can be a great bonus area that can seriously boost the value of your house. According to Domain data, houses with a mezzanine have a median price of $235,000 higher than houses that don’t.*

For my money, Tom and Sarah-Jane set the gold standard for mezzanines when they added one to their super-glam shed back in 2022 at The Block Gisborne. Numerous skylights made it light and airy, and decent flooring made the room feel permanent and not like a makeshift space.

To make the most of the mezzanine space this season, the contestants would be wise to jump forward a few more weeks and ensure they have reconciled how the space will work with the adjacent bedroom – will the mezzanine complement the nearby bedroom or be distinctly separate?

Most effective ways to use a mezzanine level:

• Office nook These days, you can get some very clever sound-absorbing desks. The good ones absorb sound, so although the space is largely open, anyone working at it should be fairly well insulated.
• Yoga space It’ll be a lot less loud than a full workout area!
• Creativity hub A place where kids can have a ‘crafternoon’ on rainy days. 
• Entertainment zone Set up the Nintendo or have a proper games spot with all the classics.
• Additional storage How about clever and discreet storage space or floor-to-ceiling cupboards that double as linen closets?
• Extra lounge area Consider a daybed or a super comfy lounge to collapse, unwind and curl up with a book.

And if all else fails, shoot for the stars… I once saw a house on the market with a periscope built into an upstairs room – perfect for stargazing or checking the weather without leaving the house! Genius!

*Source: Domain. 12 months to December 2023. Houses only, including metro and regional Australia.