Do you want to say goodbye to the frankly boring interior from the last century and make your Khrushchev “kopeck piece” truly modern? This is quite possible if you completely review the apartment plan and carry out a whole range of work to optimize the usable space.
With the right approach, even a very modest square footage will not become an insurmountable obstacle to creating comfortable housing that fully meets all modern interior standards. And the best way to get inspired to create a successful layout for a 2-room Khrushchev apartment is to study ready-made projects and photos of apartments, the owners of which have already successfully coped with all the hardships of renovation and are quietly reaping the fruits of their labors.
Features of the layout of a 2-room Khrushchev house
“Khrushchevka” is easily recognizable from hundreds of apartment layouts. Among the features are a wide square-shaped window in the living room, the presence of a walk-through room and a very small kitchen, barely reaching six “squares”.
Other nuances include:
- Combined bathroom with a small bath;
- Availability of a gas stove in the kitchen;
- Large storage room and balcony.
Standard three- and five-story buildings do not have an elevator or garbage chute. All windows of the apartment face one side, excluding the corner ones.
What kind of old-style apartments are there?
Before we begin to design the design of a Khrushchev-era 2-room apartment, we will consider in detail all the existing layouts and what exactly will have to be improved.
| This is the most common project since 1958. People call the layout a book; the apartment has an area of 41 m2. |
| This is the very first project from a series of old plans, planned on the basis of French five-story houses. Popularly, such layouts are called “trams”. The rooms are adjacent, the total area of 2-room apartments is 48 m2. |
| This layout is somewhat similar to 9-story projects. The kitchen area is small and the rooms are isolated. The total area is 44.6 m2 and the external walls are 350 mm thick. |
| The area of the apartment is 46 sq.m and is popularly called a butterfly. The rooms are isolated and have a decent area. |
Disadvantages of "Khrushchev"
The disadvantages of such a home include:
- Thin walls and low level of sound insulation;
- Low ceilings (2.55 m);
- A cramped hallway;
- Modest area of the apartment as a whole;
- A tiny kitchen where nothing fits except a stove and a short countertop.
Pros of redevelopment
- transitions between rooms become much more convenient;
- there is a visual increase in usable area;
- there is an opportunity for modern interior decoration and giving the “home” an individual look.
Initial stage of repair
Having decided to renovate your own apartment “from the time of Nikita Sergeevich”, even before the renovation begins, you should take a number of important steps:
- Check the BTI plan. In some cases, the pantry and corridor, which we consider as non-residential premises, on paper turn out to be part of the residential areas. This will affect the redevelopment - it is impossible to expand the kitchen or bathroom at their expense, but the rooms are fine;
- Check the condition of the wiring and pipes. Renovation is not just an external renovation of a home. The Khrushchev buildings were built a long time ago, and therefore it is useful to find out the state of the communications. A frivolous attitude to this issue can turn into a real disaster;
- Visit the appropriate authorities. Many owners of such a small apartment have a desire to demolish all the internal partitions and rebuild everything in a new way, or even settle on the studio option. But you should not ignore the legal norms regarding redevelopment. The rules were created to protect the residents of the house, and therefore they must be followed;
- Estimate the volume of storage areas. How many people will live in the apartment and how many things will be stored in it? Having estimated this volume, you can understand how many cabinets and shelves will be needed in the apartment.
Color variations
White color will undoubtedly act as an ideal basis for further decoration, visually expanding the space, creating the effect of comfort and cleanliness. Making the wall in a color that imitates the texture and tone of natural wood will help to add a touch of warmth and naturalness. The choice is especially relevant for eco-interiors.
The limited size of the Khrushchev-era kitchen does not allow it to be equipped with a full-fledged dining area. You can apply a contrasting combination of yellow and purple colors in the living room, in the area where the dining table and chairs are located, by doing the decoration yourself. Wallpaper with a small floral print or geographical pattern on the surface of the wall will have a positive effect on the perception of space, helping to make it wider and more spacious.
The technique of decorating one wall in a contrasting or bright vertical stripe photo is effectively used. Thus, you can highlight one of the zones, or visually delimit the space. Conciseness and simplicity should prevail in paints. It is recommended to choose three main interior colors, and then use a play of their shades for decoration. The color of the furniture should be organically combined with the overall design.
Ideas for a small kitchen in Khrushchev
The kitchen in the "Khrushchev" apartments is tiny - it would seem, why not combine it with the living room? But, according to the law, the presence of a gas stove becomes an obstacle to such actions.
The solution may be either to refuse gas supply (which complicates life) or to install a conditional partition - for example, a sliding one.
If you don’t want to do this and you decide to leave the kitchen “within your own boundaries,” there are a number of life hacks to create a comfortable environment:
- Using multi-in-one appliances (for example, a food processor);
- Transformable furniture (folding chairs, folding tables, etc.);
- Refusal of curtains;
- Use of mirrors, glossy surfaces, etc. in the interior;
- Removal of storage areas to other areas of the apartment;
- Selection of transparent furniture;
- Combining solutions (table top-window sill).
Correct lighting
Proper lighting in small apartment spaces, as in the photo, can act not only as a light source, but also as an original decorative element. It is important to consider the amount of natural light, supplementing the design with standard recommendations if necessary. The sale of built-in lamps will allow you to choose the best option for central lighting, design of niches, arches and partitions.
A central chandelier on the ceiling will look out of place and will make it lower; a replacement can be a lighting fixture pressed as closely as possible to the surface.
Additional lighting sources will include sconces, floor lamps, and original table lamps. A rather practical idea is to use the light flux to organically delimit zones, highlight a design area, part of a walk-through wall, or to highlight a stylish accessory. It is also beneficial to use lighting along the entire perimeter of the ceiling, filling the space with enough light to create a comfortable and cozy environment.
Ideas for a small bathroom in Khrushchev
Another problem of Khrushchev-era apartments is the bathroom, which is difficult to turn around in. In this case, designers also recommend a number of solutions:
- Bringing the washing machine into the hallway;
- Use of light furniture, tiles, plumbing fixtures;
- Installation of corner plumbing;
- Over-door and wall organizers for small items and hangers.
A way out of the situation could be to install a shower stall with transparent walls - visually it does not conceal the space at all.
Ceiling finishing options
There are three most popular finishing options. All of them are suitable for low ceilings in bedrooms.
- Leveling the surface with putty with further painting or wallpapering. Despite its apparent simplicity, this option is perhaps the most costly in terms of materials and time. Here it is unlikely that you will be able to simply grease certain areas in order to achieve the most even surface possible. In some places the layers can reach 2 or more centimeters. In addition to the material side, there is another important nuance. Even a well-putty, painted surface of prefabricated ceilings can crack after a while.
- The ceiling is made of plasterboard, flat or figured. Plasterboard sheets are often used to quickly level the ceiling. It is not recommended to glue it; they use modern profiles of low height. The design will take only 5-7 cm. The issue of figured ceilings is decided individually. There is a possibility that understated multi-level forms will make the atmosphere oppressive and visually reduce the space.
Kitchen combined with living room - Stretch ceilings are an excellent option for low Khrushchev buildings. Designers are pleased with the wide palette of colors and the ability to choose a glossy or matte surface. A ceiling installed using wedge or glazing bead technology will literally take 3-5 cm, 5-7 cm will go away with the harpoon installation method.
Ideas for a pantry in Khrushchev
The most significant advantage of the apartment is the presence of a storage room. Designers advise turning it into a real storage area, where both food and clothing will find a place.
- It is better to fill the entire space with shelves and drawers - from one wall to another, right up to the ceiling.
- In this way, you can significantly unload other rooms, freeing them from unnecessary furniture.
Floor finishing
What the floor will be covered with depends on the preferences and financial capabilities of the homeowners. It is better to choose a floor covering that is not too light. It is advisable to lay laminate or parquet boards diagonally or across a narrow wall. The same rule applies to linoleum. It is better to choose a non-uniform pattern. Perhaps it will be diamonds or imitation of small parquet. Many housewives avoid carpet because of its impracticality, but this option will make the atmosphere warmer.
The idea of a modern interior in a standard Khrushchev building
Choosing an interior style
A small apartment implies the use of a single style in the design of all rooms. Such a home acquires individuality, and the modest footage fades into the background.
The smart solution is to use the Scandinavian style, that is, light shades, natural textures and sophisticated geometry.
This combination adds lightness and light, creating a feeling of spaciousness. Minimalism is also suitable - the more laconic the interior, the more space remains for living.
Design techniques for increasing space
Experienced decorators use only proven techniques and space-expanding design. A limited area should have maximum functionality, organically combining several zones. Particular care should be taken when considering the types of layouts and the number of dividing strips in Khrushchev-era apartments. Too many visual distinctions can overload the interior.
The proportional harmony of objects in the rooms will ensure the correct perception of space. It is recommended to give preference to medium-sized elements, abandoning bulky, heavy options. Replacing conventional interior doors with sliding options during an economical renovation, creating arched openings as in the photo are a win-win method of saving space.
Common mistakes during repairs
When carrying out renovations in a two-room Khrushchev house, you should not forget that all efforts can negate mistakes made when creating the interior:
- Complex ceilings. The ceilings in such apartments are low, and therefore multi-level structures are absolutely not suitable in this case. Light shades chosen for the walls will help to visually “stretch” the room, especially if they have vertical stripes;
- Insufficient number of sockets. In order for their number to be optimal, it is necessary to immediately think about where the equipment will be placed and the lighting fixtures will be mounted. This will help prevent mistakes that will later cause the room to become “tangled” in wires.
Even a small apartment can be made comfortable and functional, and the disadvantages of the “Khrushchev” can be turned into its strengths.
You just need to show a little imagination and treat the arrangement of your own home with soul.
How to find the optimal solution without demolishing partitions?
If demolition of walls is impossible for some reason, then you can use a visual expansion of the space. Here are some tips on this matter.
How can you transform without demolishing walls?
Organize useful space using additional decorative elements:
- Shelves.
- Shelving.
- Niches.
If you enlarge the door and window panels with the help of arches, you can “visually” expand the space by almost a quarter of the area.
How does an arch affect the overall interior?
When forming a design, a 2-room Khrushchev apartment provides for the use of sliding doors between the passage rooms.
Frosted doors as a zoning option
Attracting mirror decoration to the interior will also allow you to refine and increase the volume of a small area and create a beautiful interior.
Decoration with mirrors
Additional Tips
In some cases, the design of a 2-room Khrushchev house can be completed with a simple renovation and the idea of redevelopment can be discarded. Let's consider some points:
Using a color palette for walls and furniture. It's no secret that dark colors absorb space, while light colors visually enlarge it.
Light walls, dark furniture and accessories
Living room in a light color palette
A simple tip: do a thorough cleaning during the renovation and get rid of all unnecessary things.
Pantry Conversion
Use of built-in niches and storage cells. Built-in storage rooms are quite suitable for conversion and the ability to store seasonal items.
The design of a 2-room Khrushchev house can be designed based on interesting projects of Asian designers and you can choose some interesting ideas, for example, beds and furniture built into the walls.
Interesting idea
Tricky Design Tricks
A huge, one might say, major role in creating a light interior of a small apartment is played by harmonious combinations:
- color palette;
- drawings;
- materials.
The design of a Khrushchev 2-room apartment is generally based on the tricks that designers use to create an interior.
| Using a Light Palette | They create a high-quality visual effect, while bright, intense, saturated colors give a compressed feel to the room. |
| The design of a Khrushchev room (2 rooms) involves the use of a small floral pattern or ornament. |
| Light ceiling | The height of the ceilings in a light palette increases the volume. If possible, it is recommended to use light glossy stretch ceiling structures. |
| Different level ceiling structures | The effect of heights of different levels and properly selected lighting fixtures enhance the effect of magnification and give the room a special atmosphere. |
| Floor covering material | The floor should be light or colored; it is important that they coincide with the overall concept of the interior of the room. |
| A minimum set of furniture is provided. It is advisable to select folding, but multifunctional models. |
| Photo wallpaper | They are back in fashion and give the room an airy and warm atmosphere. |
| They should be light and airy and complete the composition. |
Photo of renovation in a two-room Khrushchev house
Wall decoration
Wallpaper remains the main option for decorating a bedroom. Fortunately, thin paper “newspapers” have been replaced by more modern ones: vinyl, textile, non-woven coatings, which have excellent aesthetic and practical qualities. Linkrust wallpaper, which is now coming back into fashion, is better not to use.
An alternative option is liquid wallpaper. They are distinguished by their original texture, allowing you to create a seamless “soft” surface, as well as interesting large patterns.
In the photo there is a living room combined with a hall in a two-room apartment
An interesting solution would be the latest design word - luminescent wallpaper. At night, a light pattern appears on them, which gradually fades in the morning. During the day the coating looks quite normal.
Painting walls is the most budget-friendly, simple finishing option with its own advantages. It allows you to choose absolutely any shade of the interior. Matte paints work great. They are often decorated with vinyl stickers, creating a certain atmosphere.
Living room combined with kitchen
Furniture arrangement
Any well-planned task can be considered half done, so the first thing you need to do is arrange the furniture. To do this, you can use special computer programs that are easy to master even for a beginner, or you can use the old proven method: draw a room to scale on a sheet of paper, cut out pieces of furniture from cardboard, try to find a place for everyone.
Bedroom with a spacious closet and a mezzanine above the door
Furniture arrangement begins with the bed. Only after determining its location do they move on to the next items. In a narrow small room it is installed across, closer to one of the narrow walls, or along a long wall. Other options are impractical. It is clear that for a double bed it is desirable to provide a two-way approach.
Bathroom project
The closet should occupy the darkest corner. The dressing table is placed along the wall perpendicular to the window. An alternative could be a mirror with a hanging shelf, under which a narrow pouf is hidden.
Designers recommend arranging the set in such a way that there is at least 70 cm of free space between objects. Only poufs and bedside tables that are moved close to each other do not fall under this rule.
Original cabinet lighting
Room zoning
A spacious room often needs to be divided into zones. It is convenient to separate the kitchen from the room with a table or bar counter. In order to hide the bed in the living room, glass or slatted partitions are erected, screens are placed, and curtains are hung. It is important that the structure does not “eat up” the space.
gable roofs of private houses photo
In the photo, a small kitchen is separated by a multifunctional bar counter.
It is useful to separate zones with an open shelving: it will not only act as a partition, but will also become a place to store things.
In the photo there is a partition rack that separates the sofa and the bed. To avoid cluttering the room, some things are put away in boxes.
