A mezzanine is a raised floor or platform that creates extra space within a room while keeping part of the lower level open. In Planner 5D, you can use mezzanines to create loft bedrooms, home offices, or additional living areas.
We've created a short video for you, but if you prefer written instructions, you can find those below as well:
In this guide, we'll cover five methods, from creating a simple raised platform to building a customized second floor with an open area overlooking the room below.
Before You Start
Open your project in Planner 5D.
Switch to 2D mode to create or adjust your room layout.
Make sure your room has enough height to accommodate the mezzanine and the space beneath it.
Decide where you want to position the stairs and which part of the room will remain open.
For example, you can start with a room measuring 500 × 650 cm and create a mezzanine approximately 270 cm above the ground floor.
Method 1: Create a Mezzanine Using Magic Cubes
This method is ideal for creating a simple raised platform within a single room.
Step 1: Add the Stairs
Open Construction → Stairs.
Choose a straight or turning staircase.
Place it along one of the room's walls.
Rotate the staircase so its upper end faces the intended mezzanine.
Adjust its dimensions and height to reach the planned platform level.
Make sure there's enough space at the bottom of the staircase and at its upper landing.
Step 2: Build the Raised Platform
Open Build or Construction → Forms and select Magic Cube.
Add a Magic Cube to your room.
Unlock its proportions to adjust its dimensions independently.
Resize it into a thin, horizontal platform.
Adjust its elevation to position it above the ground floor.
For example, you can use:
Width: 500 cm
Depth: 100 cm or more, depending on your layout
Height (thickness): 10 cm
Elevation: 260 cm
With these settings, the top of the platform will be at approximately 270 cm.
To create a larger mezzanine, duplicate the Magic Cube, resize the copy, and position it next to the original platform.
Make sure both pieces have the same elevation and thickness so they form a continuous surface.
Step 3: Connect the Stairs to the Platform
Switch to 3D mode and check whether the staircase reaches the platform.
If needed, adjust the staircase height or the platform's position until they meet without a visible gap.
The upper landing should provide a clear path onto the platform.
Step 4: Add Railings
Find suitable railings or partitions in the catalog.
Place them along the exposed edges of the mezzanine.
Adjust their elevation so their bases rest on the platform.
Leave an opening where the stairs connect to the mezzanine.
You can also apply the same wood or other material finish to all platform pieces to give them a consistent appearance.
Method 2: Create a Mezzanine With a Spiral Staircase
A spiral staircase is a useful option when you want to save floor space.
Step 1: Position the Spiral Staircase
Open Construction → Stairs.
Select a spiral staircase.
Place it near a corner of the room.
Rotate it so the upper exit faces the area where you'll build the mezzanine.
Adjust its height to reach the intended platform level.
Step 2: Create the Platform
Add a Magic Cube from Build or Construction → Forms.
Resize it into a horizontal platform.
Raise it to the same level as the top of your spiral staircase.
Position it alongside the staircase.
For example, you could start with a platform measuring 350 × 300 cm, with a thickness of 10 cm and an elevation of 260 cm.
Adjust these dimensions to suit your room.
Important: Don't position the platform over the spiral staircase's opening. There must be enough space to walk from the stairs onto the mezzanine.
Step 3: Add a Supporting Column
For a more realistic appearance, you can add a column beneath the platform.
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a narrow vertical column, approximately 20–30 cm wide.
Position it underneath an exposed corner of the mezzanine.
Adjust its height until it reaches the underside of the platform.
Apply a material such as wood, concrete, or stone to match your design.
Step 4: Add Railings
Place railings around the exposed sides of the platform, leaving the staircase entrance accessible.
Check the finished result in 3D to ensure that the staircase, platform, and railings are correctly aligned.
Method 3: Create a Larger Mezzanine With an Additional Landing
If you need more space around the staircase, you can extend the platform with an additional landing.
Step 1: Build the Main Platform
Follow the steps from Method 2 to create a raised platform next to a spiral staircase.
Step 2: Add an Additional Platform Section
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it to create a smaller landing.
Position it between the staircase exit and the main platform.
Set its thickness and elevation to match the main platform.
For example, you can start with a 150 × 150 cm landing with a thickness of 10 cm.
Make sure the landing connects smoothly to the larger platform without covering the staircase.
Step 3: Add Supporting Columns
Create a column beneath one of the exposed platform corners.
Duplicate the column and position the copy under another corner.
Use the same dimensions, elevation, and materials for both columns.
Step 4: Complete the Railings
Place railing sections along the exposed edges of the mezzanine.
You can duplicate and rotate railing sections to follow corners and changes in the platform's shape.
Leave enough room to access the platform from the staircase.
Method 4: Create a Mezzanine Using a Second Floor
Instead of building a platform with Magic Cubes, you can create an actual upper floor in your project.
This approach is particularly useful when you want to furnish the mezzanine as a separate level.
Step 1: Divide the Ground Floor Into Two Areas
Switch to 2D mode.
Create two adjacent rooms within your building layout.
Make one room the area beneath the mezzanine.
Keep the other room as the open area extending to the full building height.
Ensure that the outside walls of both rooms are aligned.
You can hide the shared internal wall if you want the lower level to appear as one continuous space.
Step 2: Add a Second Floor
Open the Floor menu.
Add a new floor.
Switch to the newly created upper floor.
Draw or resize a room directly above the area where you want the mezzanine.
Keep this upper room's floor visible.
The new upper room will serve as your mezzanine.
Step 3: Create the Open Space
To keep part of the building open between floors:
Select the lower-level room that should remain open.
Hide its ceiling.
On the upper level, avoid covering the open area with a solid floor.
Hide any internal walls that obstruct the intended view.
Switch to 3D mode to check that you can see between the lower floor and the mezzanine.
Step 4: Connect the Floors With Stairs
Return to the ground floor.
Add a staircase from Construction → Stairs.
Position it so the upper end reaches the mezzanine.
Adjust its dimensions and orientation as necessary.
Add railings along the exposed edge of the upper floor.
Check in 3D that the staircase connects to the mezzanine without passing through its floor.
Method 5: Create a Custom Mezzanine With an Open Void
This method gives you more flexibility when you want an irregularly shaped mezzanine or a larger opening between floors.
Step 1: Create the Upper Floor
Start with the two-floor structure described in Method 4.
On the upper level, create two separate rooms:
One for the solid mezzanine floor.
One for the area that should remain open to the ground floor.
Step 2: Hide the Unnecessary Floor and Ceiling
Select the upper room representing the open area.
Hide its floor.
Switch to the ground floor.
Select the corresponding room beneath the opening.
Hide its ceiling.
This creates a continuous open space between the two levels.
Step 3: Customize the Mezzanine Shape
In 2D mode, select the mezzanine room and adjust its corner points to create the desired shape.
You can extend or reduce parts of the upper floor to accommodate the staircase landing or create a more interesting layout.
Make small adjustments and check the result in 3D after each change.
Step 4: Add Stairs and Railings
Position your staircase so its upper end reaches the solid part of the mezzanine.
Add railings along all exposed edges, including any corners or angled sections.
Hide internal walls facing the open area where necessary.
Furnish Your Mezzanine
Once your mezzanine is complete, you can start decorating it.
The way you position furniture depends on which method you've used.
For Methods 1–3 (Magic Cube platforms):
Because the mezzanine is built from objects inside a single room, you'll need to adjust the elevation of any furniture placed on top of it.
For example, if the top of your platform is at 270 cm, set your furniture's elevation to approximately 270 cm and check the result in 3D.
For Methods 4–5 (actual second floors):
Switch to the upper floor before adding furniture. Objects placed on this floor can use their normal elevation because they're already positioned on the correct level.
You can use your mezzanine as a bedroom, workspace, reading corner, or additional lounge area.
Final Checks
Before finishing your project, switch to 3D mode and verify that:
The staircase reaches the mezzanine without gaps.
All platform sections are aligned at the same height.
Supporting columns meet the underside of the platform.
Railings follow the exposed edges without blocking access.
Furniture rests correctly on the mezzanine surface.
The opening between floors is visible where intended.
If something looks incorrectly positioned, select the relevant object and adjust its dimensions or elevation.
Tip: Save a copy of your project before making major changes to floor structures or room shapes. This makes it easier to experiment with different mezzanine layouts without losing your original design.