It has long been a standard that apartments in modern, new buildings are spacious and bright. But old buildings still stand, for example, Khrushchev buildings. These living spaces are known for their modest size. If you approach the renovation wisely, you can make a cozy nest out of these square meters.
When decorating a small apartment it is difficult to use standard design techniques, but the more interesting it is to complete the task
A small one-room apartment, no matter how many people live in it, should accommodate several areas for relaxation and work. The competent design of a one-room apartment of 37 square meters is practical and functional.
The main space is divided into three sections - bedroom, living room and study, or into two sections - living room and bedroom
Redevelopment may be different, depending on who lives in the room.
Bedroom + living room | A popular, simple option that does not require expensive investments. It will be enough to purchase a sofa, which will additionally “perform” the role of a sleeping place. If you want to place a bed, it is better to define it behind a thin partition or screen. This layout option will take away precious square meters. |
Bedroom + kitchen + living room | The option involves demolishing the walls, leaving only one common space. Work areas are distinguished by finishing the walls, ceiling, floor, and light. We place the kitchen furniture along one wall; it is better to place the sleeping area as far as possible from it. |
Living room + bedroom + study | A complicated redevelopment option, the office should be practical and comfortable. You can separate yourself with a screen or thin partition. A large seating area is not needed; you can sit with guests in the kitchen, and a sofa and a floor lamp are enough to watch a movie or read a book. |
Living room + bedroom + children's room | Option for families with children. Psychologists unanimously say that the baby should have his own space, albeit small, for games, moments of solitude, and activities. The best option is multifunctional furniture complexes. They include a full-fledged sleeping place, a compartment for activities, toys, and a wardrobe. |
Layout with a bed by the window
Layout with a bed in a niche
If you move the partitions, there will be space in the kitchen for a dining area
Modern design of a studio apartment
Usually, when renovating one-room apartments, the main problem lies in the size and apparent limited space. It is doubly difficult for families with children. Therefore, the primary task is to increase the dimensions, at least visually. A more radical option would be a complete change in appearance - demolition of walls and redevelopment. Studios in which the kitchen, living room and hall become one whole are becoming increasingly popular. Of course, it is fashionable and practical, but very expensive. A less labor-intensive option would be to demolish one wall, for example, combining a kitchen with a hallway or a room with a balcony.
The choice of color scheme is perhaps one of the most important points. Probably everyone knows that light shades visually enlarge the space. Even if someone doesn’t think the one-room apartment is too small, it’s better to give preference to pastel colors. In the future, the decor will not look too monotonous or neutral, because it will definitely contain brighter accents: curtains, pillows, upholstery, decor. Their bright colors are enough to enliven even white-painted walls.
The optimal solution for a modern one-room apartment would be light green, sand, cream, gray, brown, blue or yellow.
When thinking through the design, it is important to decide on the original style and take into account that some of them simply cannot be fully reproduced in a small area. You should immediately give up classics, country, antique or American. Minimalist trends will be optimal: Scandinavian, also Swedish, style, hi-tech, eclecticism. A modern apartment should also use modern materials for decoration and decoration. Hinged doors can be replaced with sliding partitions or completely abandoned in favor of arches.
How to arrange a one-room apartment for a family with a child
When arranging an apartment in this case, you need to pay attention to ensuring that not a single corner is left empty.
At the same time, placing all items along one of the walls is also not an option. Regardless of the size of the home, the first thing to think through is a system for storing things. This can be an equipped podium, where a bed or table is placed on top, and bedding or other accessories are hidden inside.
In a family with a child, you can equip a loft bed. Ideally, it will have mechanisms with a built-in cabinet or roll-out table. Thus, you can arrange your baby’s own corner, which will not take up a lot of space.
Usually the size of a one-room apartment does not allow installing a large bed here. Therefore, you need to take care when choosing a folding sofa.
The hallway or closet should be used for storing things. For this purpose, shelves and high-quality lighting are made here. When installing doors in a small apartment, you should give preference to sliding models. If you cannot do without swing doors, then make sure that they open towards the wall, and the color of the canvas is as close as possible to the decoration of the walls.
In the kitchen you should use built-in appliances. And the bathroom is combined with a toilet.
Design project of a one-room apartment
Professionals in the field of interior design are sure that you cannot begin any renovation work without preparing a design project. This is not just a picture that will show what the interior will look like in the future. This is a multi-stage work that takes into account absolutely everything, allows you to draw up an estimate, calculate the cost of repairs, the optimal sequence of work, determine the style, highlight functional areas, select the necessary furniture, and arrange it.
The complexity of the design of a one-room apartment with an area of 38 square meters depends on the volume of renovation work. If you need to furnish an apartment in a new building from scratch, the project should be as complete as possible. If this is a residential apartment that requires only minor changes, for example, the arrangement of a children's area, the work will accordingly not be so global.
Main tasks of the design project:
Design projects today are rarely drawn by hand; the work is done in special computer programs. Many of them are freely available on the Internet. They allow you to create a 3D model of the future interior of photographic quality.
One-room apartment 33 sq. m. for a family with a child (PV Design Studio)
To visually enlarge the room, the designer used standard means - the shine of glossy and mirror surfaces, functional storage spaces and light colors of finishing materials.
The total area was divided into three zones: children's, parents' and dining areas. The children's part is highlighted with a gentle greenish tone of decoration. There is a baby crib, a chest of drawers, also known as a changing table, and a feeding chair. In the parental area, in addition to the bed, there is a small living room with a TV panel and a study - the window sill was replaced with a tabletop, and an armchair was placed next to it.
Project “Design of a small one-room apartment for a family with a child
Methods of zoning in a one-room apartment
You can divide a room in different ways, but you don’t have to use all of them at once or just one. It is important to find a middle ground.
Furniture and textiles
It just so happens that we are used to placing furniture around the perimeter, but sometimes it is worth reconsidering conservative views. Arranging furniture is one of the simplest and most convenient ways to zoning a room. The living room can be separated from the bedroom by a tall, narrow wardrobe, the doors of which face the bed. The seating area with the kitchen will be separated by a sofa or bar counter, and a workspace limiter can be a shelving unit or a table with a shelf.
Zoning with curtains is not the latest design technique, but this option will not be suitable for every interior. The choice of textiles that will serve as partitions often depends on the style. In classic interiors, this can be a thick canopy on the ceiling cornice, oriental style will be complemented by multi-layered flowing draperies, and Japanese style will be emphasized by bamboo blinds.
Color range and finishing materials
In terms of its execution, this is one of the most difficult and not always successful techniques when it comes to a one-room apartment. Here, the principles of zoning and tips for visually increasing space collide and contradict each other. In a small area, too bright color transitions and different textured finishes will not be appropriate. The boundary can be drawn on the floor, for example, by adding a carpet, highlighting the required area.
Stationary partitions and screens, doors
Mobile screens and stationary partitions, in addition to zoning, perform a decorative function, and therefore must correspond to the general style of the interior. There are a huge number of options for their implementation. If you don’t have any specific ideas, you’ll have to devote a single hour to looking at photos on the Internet. It is also worth considering that in a one-room apartment, the partition should take up little space and visually expand the space. The most commonly used materials are plastic, drywall, and mirror surfaces.
You can hide an entire cozy room behind a thin screen door. Various materials can be used for the canvas: wood, plywood, MDF, plastic, glass.
Different floor and ceiling levels, lighting
If the height of the walls allows, you can arrange a podium to separate the working, sleeping area or children's area.
From the point of view of convenience, lighting should be organized so that each individual functional area is as independent as possible. They use different levels of lighting, lamps of different light spectrums, backlights, etc. Light alone is not enough to highlight individual functional areas; it can only be an additional tool.
Multi-level apartment
If the height of the ceilings allows you to complete the second level, then you don’t have to limit your flight of imagination, since such a redevelopment, although it will cost the owner a pretty penny, will allow you to get two living spaces instead of one room. Of course, the renovation will be difficult, since many architectural and engineering features will need to be taken into account, but the result will be worth the effort.
In this case, it is possible to zone for a larger number of functional areas, while allowing you to rely not on practicality, but on comfort. It also becomes possible to design each floor differently, which is almost impossible to do in one open room that requires one style.
Everything that was written above is just a dry theory, which we briefly went over, since creating a design project for a 1-room apartment of 37 sq.m. – this is a real art that only a professional can do. That is why you should trust your space, where you will spend a lot of time, exclusively to qualified designers, if you, of course, want to get a high-quality result and enjoy comfort in the conditions you expect.
Selection of furniture and basic principles of arrangement
Once furnished, the rooms should look as spacious and comfortable as possible, and not resemble a train vestibule. Oddly enough, the main thing in arranging an apartment is order. No newfangled things can make her comfortable and clean anymore. All drawers and shelves must be in place, and their contents must be accessible at any time. That is why furniture is always selected individually, taking into account the wishes of all residents. To make your task easier, you can make a list of necessary things in advance, a place for them, and a method of storage.
You can use the wall above the bed to place furniture. This is a great place for open shelves and shelving. In the hallway you can take up ceiling space for niches. A built-in cabinet is often installed under a wide window sill. A common mistake many people make is leaving the corners of the room open. This is a great place to put a corner cabinet, bookcase or cabinet.
In the kitchen, every free centimeter is taken into account. Modern interiors, in addition to standard appliances (refrigerator, stove, microwave), provide additional equipment (hood, dishwasher, coffee maker), it is good if it is built-in.
A shelving unit or pantry with drawers is perfect for storing various small items in the kitchen. If the furniture is made to order, you should think about the optimal depth. Perhaps it may be slightly less than the factory one. It is better to give preference to smooth blank facades or frosted glass.
In the bathroom, as in other rooms, the principle of zoning applies. There should be at least two zones here: a washbasin with a cabinet, a mirror and a bath or shower, and a towel rack. If there is space left, the washbasin area can be supplemented with a pencil case and a laundry basket.
Design of apartments by sq.m. m
Options on the primary and secondary real estate market:
- Stalinka - total area 32-50 m2 near one-room apartment. Ceiling height (3 m) and built-in wardrobes. Separate or combined bathroom.
- Khrushchevka is a small-sized housing with an uncomfortable layout. The ceiling is 2.5-2.7 m high, the bathroom combined with a bathtub, internal partitions with poor sound insulation. Total area – up to 33 m2.
- Brezhnevka has isolated rooms with windows on different sides of the house. There is space to build in a hallway. The odnushka usually has a combined bathroom, the walls of the house are reinforced concrete, the total area is up to 40 m2.
- A standard apartment has a comfortable layout, often with bay windows. Ceiling height 2.5-2.8 m, separate bathroom, large kitchen, loggia, built-in wardrobes and storage niches, total area - up to 50 m2.
- The apartment has an improved layout, a ceiling height of 2.5 m, isolated rooms, a separate bathroom, a loggia, built-in wardrobes and mezzanines, a total area of up to 50 m2.
- A modern apartment has spacious rooms in a panel house, regardless of their functional purpose. The ceiling is 2.8 m high, the bathroom is separate, the total area is up to 80 m2.
Housing 20 sq. m
Zoning:
- The hall can serve as a bedroom.
- The living room is combined with a kitchen, study or bedroom.
- There is a seating area in the kitchen, living room and dining room.
- The office can be equipped on the balcony.
Apartments 25 sq. m
Functional areas: living room, kitchen, hallway and bedroom. Combined bathroom. In such small rooms, it is impossible to separate the bedroom from the living room, so a transforming sofa is most often used.
Living area 31 sq. m
The main task in small apartments is to divide the space into zones. For preliminary visualization there is a special program, for example, AutoCAD or 3D MAX. On an area of 31 m2 you can place a living room, a kitchen with an electric stove, and a dining area. Large tiles can be placed in the bathroom, on the floor and on individual walls.
Room 32 sq. m
You can increase the space by combining the kitchen area and living space. For the layout of an apartment of 32 sq. m need:
- Designate the locations of functional areas.
- Choose a design concept to develop an interior line.
Project 33 sq. m
As in the previous options, it is preferable to make a studio apartment. Design techniques allow you to combine both individual pieces of furniture and rooms.
Living area 35 sq. m
Visual expansion involves some redevelopment: demolition of partitions and doors, excluding the toilet. If you have a balcony or loggia, you can insulate them, remove part of the wall and install heating.
Apartment 36 sq. m
Small interior elements can be selected later, but the main style is considered to be minimalism or hi-tech. These are simple and laconic forms, a small area of employment, versatility and strict lines.
Living space 38 sq. m
In apartments with an area of 38 sq. m you can get a small bedroom and a large kitchen or living room, or vice versa. This option is more suitable for one person or a family without children. If there is a balcony or loggia, then combining them with the kitchen will give more space, and you can make a children's room.
Area 39 sq. m
This design often uses sliding doors (hidden pencil case), which significantly save space. Niches in the walls allow you to arrange built-in storage systems. If there is a loggia, transformable furniture is installed to save space, and the same is done in the kitchen. The bathroom is usually combined, so compact furniture and plumbing are used.
Project 40 sq. m
To make the room look more spacious, all individual zones must be connected to each other. The kitchen is combined with the living room, a transparent door is installed in the bathroom, and the sleeping area is fenced off with vertical translucent blinds.
Design of a one-room apartment 37 sq. m. and layout options
It has long been a standard that apartments in modern, new buildings are spacious and bright. But old buildings still stand, for example, Khrushchev buildings. These living spaces are known for their modest size. If you approach the renovation wisely, you can make a cozy nest out of these square meters.
When decorating a small apartment it is difficult to use standard design techniques, but the more interesting it is to complete the task
A small one-room apartment, no matter how many people live in it, should accommodate several areas for relaxation and work. The competent design of a one-room apartment of 37 square meters is practical and functional.
The main space is divided into three sections - bedroom, living room and study, or into two sections - living room and bedroom
Redevelopment may be different, depending on who lives in the room.
Bedroom + living room | A popular, simple option that does not require expensive investments. It will be enough to purchase a sofa, which will additionally “perform” the role of a sleeping place. If you want to place a bed, it is better to define it behind a thin partition or screen. This layout option will take away precious square meters. |
Bedroom + kitchen + living room | The option involves demolishing the walls, leaving only one common space. Work areas are distinguished by finishing the walls, ceiling, floor, and light. We place the kitchen furniture along one wall; it is better to place the sleeping area as far as possible from it. |
Living room + bedroom + study | A complicated redevelopment option, the office should be practical and comfortable. You can separate yourself with a screen or thin partition. A large seating area is not needed; you can sit with guests in the kitchen, and a sofa and a floor lamp are enough to watch a movie or read a book. |
Living room + bedroom + children's room | Option for families with children. Psychologists unanimously say that the baby should have his own space, albeit small, for games, moments of solitude, and activities. The best option is multifunctional furniture complexes. They include a full-fledged sleeping place, a compartment for activities, toys, and a wardrobe. |
Layout with a bed by the window
Layout with a bed in a niche
If you move the partitions, there will be space in the kitchen for a dining area
Maintaining spaciousness
When it comes to the design project of a 1-room apartment of 37 sq.m., the main problem remains maintaining the feeling of spaciousness and creating a cozy atmosphere in a medium-sized room, which needs to be correctly divided into functional zones.
As a rule, the fairly acceptable dimensions of such apartments in the process of forming the interior allow the inclusion of additional functional areas that can divide the usable space into separate independent sections. As an example, such areas could be:
- living or relaxing areas;
- sleeping corners;
- places for children to relax or their play area.
In fact, the functionality of such separate zones is limited by the imagination and budget of the customer, but it is still important to maintain reasonable proportions so that all zones within one apartment are combined in functionality with each other. It is also important to take into account the fact that in small apartments it is difficult to use standard approach methods, so the success of the finished design project will directly depend on the experience and creativity of the selected designer.
To properly distribute useful space, it is not enough to simply allocate a free corner for each zone. The main task here is to correctly arrange everything in such a way as to preserve as much free space as possible, on which the overall comfort and quality of the apartment’s interior will depend.
As a rule, design projects for 1-room apartments of 37 square meters are built in such a way that kitchens, corridors and bathrooms do not require separate zoning and are considered separately from the living space. This rule works if customers do not want to combine rooms and make the now popular loft by removing the dividing walls. Such redevelopment significantly expands the usable area and allows you to increase the number of functional zones in one room, and also no longer limits the designer’s flight of imagination so much.
Recommendations for quick and inexpensive redevelopment
When the design of a one-room apartment is thought out and agreed upon, renovation work begins. To prevent the room from becoming overloaded, you should not install many partitions; it is better to purchase mobile screens; at any time you have the opportunity to retire for work or relaxation.
It is not enough to simply allocate a corner for each zone; you need to plan the room so that there is free space and increased living comfort
If the ceilings are high, the option of installing podiums and niches is considered.
The sleeping area can be highlighted with a podium if the ceiling height allows
An elongated kitchen may seem inconvenient, but you can fit all the utensils and appliances along one wall.
When zoning a one-room apartment, you can “play” with shades. The main thing is not to overdo it. A small room does not like bright and dark shades. The tones should be light and combined with each other. Different finishing materials are preferable. The flooring in the kitchen and in the main room must be different. You can decorate the walls with different materials, paint in one area, paste over another.
In a small space, bright color transitions and varied finishes are inappropriate; it is better to separate the zones with different floor coverings or just a carpet
In a one-room apartment, the partition should take up minimal space. A good solution is a thin screen door
The workplace requires about two square meters to accommodate a table, chair and shelving
Lighting plays a huge role. With its help, you can hide ugly corners of the apartment and highlight the center. It is better to place lighting fixtures separately for each zone. A bulky chandelier will take up a lot of space and visually make the ceiling lower, so it is better to give preference to spotlights. In some areas 1-2 will be enough, in others you need more light, for example, the living room.
Interior zoning
Speaking about only one living room, albeit of a decent size, it is important to note that it would be logical to allocate only two or three zones in it. As a rule, the division into zones occurs as follows:
- Living room-bedroom.
- Living room-bedroom-office (or recreation area).
This is the optimal solution for a given area, where all the needs of the residents will be satisfied. Of course, the presence of a child makes significant adjustments to the layout, but most often such an area is not considered for a full-fledged family to live in. Therefore, we will consider the standard zoning option.
So, an office or work area should occupy no more than two squares, unless more is required by circumstances or the specifics of the residents’ work. Most often, in this area it will be enough to place a laptop or desktop computer, a small shelving unit (book shelf) and a comfortable chair.
Otherwise, the focus is on the practicality of using free space to decorate the remaining zones. If there were more space, then one could rely on comfort, but a “one-room apartment” is a place for exceptional practicality, which should demonstrate a situation where all the things necessary for a comfortable life fit into a small space. At the same time, all interior items and equipment must be comparable to each other, not interfere with free movement around the room and perform certain tasks. In general, only all the essentials are used, but the amount of this essential may vary depending on the customer’s lifestyle and habits. That is why it is important to cooperate with an experienced specialist who will take into account all the nuances and be able to find a compromise in the proper placement of all things in a limited space.
If the customer lives alone in the apartment, most often his one-room apartment is turned into a studio, leaving only the bathroom untouched. In this case, you can use the entire open space or zone it using small partitions and furniture. If the order is made by a married couple, then zoning occurs according to primary and secondary criteria. The primary ones are a place to sleep and relax. Most often, these two zones are demarcated, separating the bedroom and living room, where most of the time is spent and meetings with guests take place. Secondary is the presence of an office and other specific areas.
If there is a child in the family, then an individual approach to the matter is necessary, taking into account the age, gender, hobbies and activity of the household member. Here you either need to completely isolate the child from everyone, or select an area to which there will be quick access and visual control. All these nuances are resolved with a designer who will definitely be able to choose the optimal solution for a specific task.
The kitchen area deserves special attention, which today is sometimes combined with the living room to save space. It is important here to place not only all the necessary furniture designed for the number of residents, but also not to forget about the equipment. Especially for an open space, a high-quality hood is needed, which will save you from unnecessary odors, soot, fats and other not always pleasant consequences of cooking. A good example of separating the kitchen and living room is the use of a bar counter, which both shows the separation of zones and has a completely understandable functional meaning.
Choosing a room style
Any design style for a small one-room apartment is allowed, the main thing is not to overdo it.
Spaciousness, straight lines and contrasting colors - a suitable interior in the style of Scandinavian minimalism for modern young people
Modern design, combining various materials and textures, emphasizes the exclusivity of the interior and creates an atmosphere of mystery and even a little negligence
For a small apartment, it is more advisable to choose styles that do not have numerous decorations
Features of small rooms
An apartment with an area of 36-7 sq. m is a spacious option even for a family of three. However, to implement the idea, you need to carefully consider the future design and division into zones. Even when redecorating an apartment, consider a color scheme so that the combination of colors emphasizes the division of space. Such a step will create the illusion of space.
It is even possible to separate the bedroom and living room using panels or partitions. Due to this, the space will not shrink, but rather, on the contrary, will expand. It is impossible to do this in a smaller apartment.
When performing repairs, however, do not forget about possible options for increasing the area. Dedicating a dressing room to reduce the number of closets, combining a room with a balcony, or eliminating unnecessary furniture are popular examples of how owners solve the problem.
In the photos of finished projects you can see several cases that can be implemented on the basis of a specific apartment.
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Colors and lighting play a significant role in small room projects. With the help of these two tools, accents are created that make the space individual.
For example, highlighting the living room area with white creates the illusion of expanding the space. The ceiling and floor, made in the same tone, in combination with vertical lamps increase the height. And the warm and cold colors of light in the bedroom and living room emphasize the zoning.
Furnishing, finishing, decor
The bed can be hidden behind bookshelves
You have to use every centimeter of usable space, even the window sill
Even with minimal costs, it is not difficult to furnish even the smallest apartment. With the right approach, you can do everything yourself. The basis of the idea is taken from magazines and special design sites. There are professionals who give advice online, suggesting which finishing materials and furniture are preferable, how to arrange it, where to place accents. The final result depends only on the imagination and wishes of the apartment owner himself. If you really want to, you can transform your home in a few weeks.
The decor can be: wooden furniture, sofa upholstery, pillows, posters or paintings
Space optimization
New ideas for planning a one-room apartment help to make the most of all corners of a small living space.
At the design project development stage, it is recommended to make good use of the window sill area. They are used as shelves for household kitchen appliances or as a workplace.
Kitchen furniture is usually made to order according to individual sizes, taking into account built-in appliances. This technique, as well as the use of other furniture parts with a transformation function, makes it possible to save usable space.
Placing a shower in the bathroom will free up space for an automatic washing machine.
An effective option for an apartment in the minimalist style would be to use a black and white pattern in combination with light, plain walls.
Large mirrors, which can be replaced by wardrobe doors, will visually expand the room. It’s easy to visually raise the ceilings by decorating the walls with vertical striped wallpaper.
To divide the space into different zones, it is easy to use additional light sources.
A competent creative approach will help create a unique and comfortable interior in a small one-room apartment.
Modern style apartment project
Planning solution - the room is divided into a studio and a bedroom
The studio has a relaxation area and a dining room. The latter can be used as a work area if necessary
The bedroom is separated from the studio by a glass partition
The TV is located opposite the sofa, and the kitchen is in the back of the room, next to the bedroom
Bathroom layout (top view)
Sink, washing machine, toilet, shower - everything fits and there is even space left for free movement
Source
Choosing colors for your home
The design of one-room apartments does not involve a lot of colors, especially if the house has more than three zones. Small spaces are decorated either in pastel colors, or, conversely, in bright and dynamic colors.
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A light tone visually enlarges and expands, and a bright accent gives the apartment completeness. They also use a gradient - a gradual transition from one color to another. But this complicates the choice of furniture for the room.
Regardless of the designer’s recommendations, the final decision on the choice of colors remains with the apartment owner. After all, living should be cozy and convenient for a person. To choose a design, look at the finished projects in the photo, evaluate how comfortable different colors are perceived.
Renovation projects for one-room apartments 37 sq.m.
The price is for cosmetic repairs (dismantling, finishing work, wet cleaning)