Does a mezzanine require permission?

Generally no planning permission is needed if it changes neither the exterior nor the use of the building. If it creates a large amount of floor area, the applicable rules must be checked.

Is a pocket door compatible with an existing partition wall?

It requires a frame built into the partition: the section of partition concerned is generally rebuilt.

What height do you need for a mezzanine?

You need to be able to move around comfortably underneath and to sit or stand on top: in practice, high ceilings, often over 4.5 metres.

Advice · Interior design

Small spaces: 6 ideas to gain room

8 October 2026 · 2 min read · By the Aldeak team

Wooden staircase with a black glass partition and light parquet flooring in a renovated house — Staircase and glass partition, renovated house. Completed by Aldeak.

What we often lack is less square metres than organisation. Before pushing back the walls, a few well-thought-out layouts free up a surprising amount of space, in a small house as in a flat.

1. Made to measure, from floor to ceiling

A cupboard that rises to the ceiling offers far more storage than a standard piece of furniture. In corners, under sloping roofs or around a window, made-to-measure joinery turns wasted space into useful storage.

2. Under the stairs

Drawers, a cupboard, a desk, a reading nook or even a toilet: the space under a staircase is one of the most poorly used in the home. Well designed, it becomes a real living space.

3. Sliding doors

A hinged door needs a clearance of about one square metre. A pocket door, which slides into the partition wall, or a surface-mounted sliding door frees up that space for furniture or circulation.

4. Glass partitions

Replacing a solid partition wall with a glass partition keeps the separation while sharing the light. A small room immediately feels larger when it receives daylight from the room next door.

5. The mezzanine

When the ceiling height allows, a mezzanine creates a study area, a spare bedroom or a play space. It requires a suitable structure, a compliant guardrail and safe access.

6. Rethinking circulation

Sometimes, moving a door or removing a corridor gains more space than any piece of furniture. That is the whole point of looking at the floor plan of the house as a whole before choosing the layout.

During a visit, we look with you at how you live in the house, then suggest the layout changes that bring the most comfort for your budget.

Sources : Code de l’urbanisme, articles R. 421-14 et R. 421-17 (seuils de la déclaration préalable et du permis de construire) · service-public.fr

Frequently asked questions

Does a mezzanine require permission?: Generally no planning permission is needed if it changes neither the exterior nor the use of the building. If it creates a large amount of floor area, the applicable rules must be checked.
Is a pocket door compatible with an existing partition wall?: It requires a frame built into the partition: the section of partition concerned is generally rebuilt.
What height do you need for a mezzanine?: You need to be able to move around comfortably underneath and to sit or stand on top: in practice, high ceilings, often over 4.5 metres.