An old-built apartment is not uncommon on the secondary housing market. Everyone who has become the proud owner of this economy-class apartment first of all begins renovations in a one-room Khrushchev-era apartment.
Perhaps the most strange planning solutions were used in the old Khrushchev buildings, often defying logic and common sense
Features of a one-room apartment - Khrushchev
These apartments have always been distinguished by their small size. The design of a one-room Khrushchev house makes you think about how to make the most of small square meters.
Before you start renovating a one-room apartment, think about whether it might be worth doing a remodel by removing the wall between the kitchen and the room. Such redevelopment will allow the most efficient use of usable space. If you have an end apartment, this is a big plus. The corner layout option provides an additional window in the room, which means more natural light and design possibilities.
It is difficult to do without redevelopment in a one-room apartment if there are several people in the family
The combination will create a studio from your apartment, and will make it possible to adjust the size of the kitchen and living space. It is much easier to decorate a studio apartment in a modern and beautiful way.
The main thing is to remember that redevelopment of apartments requires official permission from the BTI and subsequent registration of the change project.
"Blueberry pie"
Another small-sized car, transformed thanks to the work of designer Elzbieta Chegarova. After remodeling the apartment, its owner acquired a spacious kitchen-living room and a combined bathroom. Because of the gas stove, it was necessary to construct a sliding partition between the rooms.
In the blue and white hallway, thick fabric is used instead of cabinet fronts. The kitchen is presented with a set of milky shades, the accent apron is lined with patchwork tiles. Roller blinds and glass facades help not to overload the space.
The living room combines not only a place for receiving guests and watching TV, but also a bedroom with an office. The designer did not forget about the storage system, constructing a niche from two wardrobes and two wall cabinets. The apartment turned out to be cozy and welcoming.
View the entire project “Impressive refurbishment of a one-room Khrushchev house of 28 sq m”
How to visually expand space
The design of a 1-room Khrushchev apartment differs significantly from the design of studios. When choosing an interior, it is worth remembering that these apartments have low ceilings, which create an oppressive atmosphere. The main task when decorating is to visually expand the space.
You can expand the space not only visually, but also actually, by abandoning bulky furniture
Basic solutions for a small apartment:
- Use mirrors. Large mirrored surfaces of sliding wardrobes will visually expand the space. A mirror installed opposite the window will reflect sunlight, and your apartment will be brighter.
The room will double in size if one of the walls is decorated with mirror tiles - Choose smooth glossy textures and warm, delicate colors of finishing materials.
- Proper lighting will also help. Buy a wide, large chandelier with downlighting, but it should be mounted as close to the ceiling as possible. Floor lamps and wall sconces in the bedroom and relaxation area will add volume to the room.
- Hang translucent light curtains on the entire wall with a window - this will give the room depth and visually raise the ceiling.
- When choosing furniture for your interior, give preference to models with legs. Also, transforming models will be optimal for your apartment. Pay attention to the glass tables, they seem to dissolve in space, which will give the room lightness and fit any style.
Photo wallpaper with perspective creates the illusion of expanded space
Bathroom
The white and blue bathroom consists of a shower with a glass door, a toilet and a small sink. The washing machine is built into the recess of the cabinet, which is located in the hallway.
Designer Alena Gunko believes that a small-sized apartment creates discipline, as it does not allow you to acquire unnecessary things and teaches you to appreciate every centimeter of your home. Using this interior as an example, she showed that even small apartments can be comfortable and stylish.
Choosing a style for a one-room apartment
To choosing the interior style of a one-room apartment of 30 square meters. m Khrushchev from the photo must be approached responsibly. The photo may differ greatly from the original, and not all directions will look harmonious in your home. When choosing a design, base it on the characteristic features of the style and add a little of your own, then your home will be cozy and unique.
French
This style is characterized by soft shades of walls with exquisite floral motifs - these can be beige, lilac and yellow colors.
It is customary to cover walls in the French style with wallpaper; paintings are often used as decoration
The presence of natural wood on the floor and in the furnishings. The accents in the interior are placed on the furniture; it should be made of handmade wood with graceful high legs and gold fittings on the facades.
In a small kitchen it is better to install a corner layout set
Kitchen set made of light wood. Rugs underfoot, curtains with floral patterns and wicker furniture in the kitchen.
Scandinavian
Renovating an apartment and creating the style of the northern peoples will not be difficult. The main colors of Scandinavia are white ceilings and light gray walls. You can simply plaster the walls or paint them. Light wood floor. Laconicism and simplicity in decoration go well with the slightly rough textures of wooden furniture.
A minimum of furniture and decor is the main feature of the Scandinavian interior
White walls in the Scandinavian spirit will visually expand a small hallway
A minimum of decorative elements in the interior. A kitchen in this style is functional and bright. And bright lighting in addition to light tones of finishing materials will add spaciousness to the apartment.
High tech
Modern style. The functionality of furniture and the latest household appliances. Straight and strict forms of the kitchen set are white with glossy surfaces. Decoration of the room in black and white. Ceiling with glossy tension structures and LED lighting. The floor is made of ceramic tiles or linoleum in black and white. But don’t overdo it with black; this color should only be present as a small accent in the room, which emphasizes the severity of the forms.
High-tech is one of the most modern interior styles
High-tech is an abundance of glossy surfaces on furniture and decoration
The use of glass furniture in this style is especially relevant. Lots of metal and chrome parts and accessories.
Country
Will create a cozy, rustic atmosphere in your home. The style perfectly combines simplicity of design, comfortable furniture and functional household appliances. The main thing in this direction is the use of only natural materials in decoration. Furniture of simple and slightly rough shapes and appliances stylized as wood.
A modern apartment in country style is the nostalgia of city dwellers for a warm rural life
A country style kitchen will look especially cozy
Walls in neutral colors with natural motifs and lots of bright textiles in the form of a blanket on the sofa, rugs under your feet and cheerful curtains on the windows.
"Repair minimum":
Clearing junk and dismantling
All the furniture has already been taken out, and everything down to the concrete has already been removed from the walls and ceiling.
Now it is important to prepare the apartment in advance for changing the wiring and make holes for cables, sockets and switches
If there is a musty odor problem, you will have to remove the floors to get rid of it.
Electrics
Copper wiring can be left behind, unlike aluminum, which likely won't survive wet work like putty.
To carry out this work, for safety reasons, it is better to call a specialist.
Insulation
This is another issue worth discussing with a professional. The fact is that many Khrushchev buildings have damp walls, the insulation of which will not only not be effective, but will also lead to the formation of fungal mold inside the walls.
Therefore, it is quite possible to contact the management company and apply for a major overhaul.
Plumbing
Most likely, all pipes will have to be replaced, including the so-called “lounger”. It is worth making a choice in favor of modern materials, replacing cast iron with PVC and plastic.
An alternative to replacing an old bathtub is an acrylic liner.
Floors
The most economical option for a subfloor is a screed made of wooden blocks with a plywood flooring. In areas with high humidity, it is worth investing in waterproofing.
Floor leveling deserves special attention, since different floor heights are another problem of Khrushchev-era apartment buildings.
Walls
You should not spend money trying to perfectly align the walls - for Khrushchev buildings this mission is almost impossible.
It is enough to limit yourself to leveling the corners and sections of walls next to the doors and near the baseboards.
So, a major overhaul of the Khrushchev building is difficult, but possible. Even without redevelopment, you can significantly transform your home and make it as comfortable as possible.
Choice of floor, ceiling and wall finishes
Design of a 1-room Khrushchev house of 30 sq. m requires a responsible choice of finishing materials. There is a kitchen nearby, which adds high humidity and unnecessary odors to the apartment. All household members are in the same room, so finishing materials must be of high quality and durable. Having saved on coverage, you may be disappointed in it in a few months. When choosing materials, stick to light colors and unobtrusive patterns.
Light wall decoration is a simple and time-tested design technique that helps visually increase the space
- Floor. It is better to lay tiles in the kitchen and bathroom; they are easy to clean and do not scratch. Choose tiles with a non-slip surface to avoid injury. In the living room, parquet made of light wood or linoleum stylized as wood would look ideal.
- Ceiling. Only white, you can add a little beige tone. In a small apartment they use paint with a glossy texture that reflects light. This visually expands the space and your home will become warm and bright.
- Walls. It is better to choose vinyl wallpaper with a smooth texture that is easy to wash and clean. Light walls in the living room with small patterns. Large ornaments are not welcome; they narrow the space and the room will look too vulgar and intrusive. In the kitchen it is also necessary to use washable wallpaper, which does not require maintenance. Decorate the apron in the work area with small mosaics to match the floor.
To make the room seem visually larger, the walls should be much lighter than the floor and slightly darker than the ceiling.
Studio with niche
Alena Gunko works as a designer, so she designed this 30-meter one-room apartment on her own. There was some redevelopment involved: the bathroom and toilet were combined, the kitchen and living room were combined, and a partition with a built-in wardrobe was erected between the “bedroom” and the hallway.
To build in a refrigerator, the kitchen was enlarged at the expense of the hallway. It flows into the living room, remaining spacious, but visually separated by different floor coverings: porcelain stoneware and laminate. The relaxation area is decorated with a bright sofa, which can be folded out if necessary.
The niche, created specifically to place a bed, is decorated with homemade wallpaper: Alena drew it in vector and printed it out. Every free centimeter of the apartment is thought out to the smallest detail and used as efficiently as possible, while the furnishings look light and uncluttered.
View the entire project “Elaborate studio from a one-room Khrushchev building 30.5 sq m”
Lighting for a one-room apartment
A small apartment of thirty meters requires the right choice of lighting fixtures. The chandelier in the living room should not be low; choose a high chandelier model that is as close to the ceiling as possible, preferably made of glass without hanging paraphernalia. Be sure to add additional light sources to the room - a floor lamp installed next to the sofa and coffee table looks good in such an interior. And a couple of sconces at the head of the bed.
Mirror surfaces reflect the sun's rays and make the room much brighter
In the kitchen it is better to hang a small frosted glass lamp that will suit any style. And install several LED lamps in the work area. The dining area also needs to be equipped with separate lighting, which will create a cozy and relaxed atmosphere in the kitchen when dining alone or with friends.
For general lighting of the kitchen, a ceiling chandelier is used; for backsplash lighting, overhead or built-in lamps are used.
In the bathroom and hallway, add an LED strip to the ceiling light around the perimeter of the mirrors and furniture - this will refresh the room and add coziness. It is better to choose lamps with a warm spectrum, which will fill your home with warmth and perfectly highlight the light finish.
Hallway
After demolishing the wall between the living room and the hallway, the designer designed a zoning structure: a wardrobe was built into it on the corridor side, and another wardrobe with sliding doors was located along the wall adjacent to the bathroom. Mirror sheets help optically expand a narrow space.
How to arrange furniture correctly
Furnishing a one-room apartment is not an easy task. The main thing is that all family members feel comfortable and it is advisable to allocate a small favorite corner for everyone.
A corner folding sofa will serve as a key place in the living room interior during the day, and at night it will turn into a comfortable bed
A few rules to help you organize your living space:
- Place furniture along the walls of the room, and leave the middle as free as possible.
- Buy a large wardrobe that can take up one wall. This furniture is very compact and roomy.
- If there is a need for additional bedside tables and chests of drawers, choose models in the form of a pencil case.
- To zone the sleeping area, you can install open shelving, which will provide you with shelves for decorative elements and indoor flowers.
To zone a room, you can use a light decorative curtain - If your family has a child who needs a separate corner. The ideal solution for organizing a sleeping area for parents is a corner sofa. Choose compact models that fold out easily. There are models that simply slide apart and form comfortable ottomans for gatherings with friends.
- Consider transformable furniture options. In a children's corner it can be a table that folds up to form a bed. This is very convenient for the child.
Storage systems can be located in any free space. For example, shelves near the ceiling will accommodate a collection of books and serve as interior decoration.
In a small apartment, follow the rule of minimalism. Compact and functional furniture and light shades in the decor. And not only family members, but also guests will feel comfortable in your home.
Sleeping area
A small bed is located in the recess. Its upper part rises: there are spacious storage systems inside. The accent “wallpaper” behind the headboard was drawn by Alena and printed in large format.
There was not enough space for bedside tables - they are replaced by shelves for books and small items. The sleeping area is illuminated by two wall lamps, and on either side of the upholstered headboard there are sockets for charging a mobile phone.
Zoning
The main enemy of small apartments is chaos, disorder and clutter
When drawing up a plan for a two-room apartment, it is important to consider several main points:
- Each family member should have a personal zone, and the size of this zone, as a rule, does not play a special role.
- Well, the kitchen must have a spacious and functional work area with a stove, dishwasher and sink. If you use a gas stove, then you cannot combine the kitchen with the room, but you can expand the doorway and use sliding doors. And at the same time, it is strictly forbidden to change the position of the gas stove and block access to it.
- The second room can be allocated as a bedroom or children's room. It can accommodate a large storage system, a bed, a dressing table or a work desk.
- If a child lives in the room, you can put a bed, a desk and a closet, while still leaving free space for games. If two children will live in the room, then it is better to choose functional transformable furniture or a bunk bed. A place by the window can be equipped as a desk so that each child has a separate study area.
There are many ways to zone a space. The most common and popular:
- using different methods of wall decoration;
- additional false walls made of plasterboard;
- mobile partitions and screens;
- curtains, curtains and curtains;
- pieces of furniture, cabinets, sofas;
- different floor and ceiling levels.
Another trick to zoning a “Khrushchev” building is a large, bright space. If demolishing the walls is not possible, then you can abandon the usual doors in favor of sliding ones. With the help of such “nominal” doors, you can create a single space or hide a separate area from prying eyes.
Storage room in Khrushchev: design, photo
You can think through the design of a two-room Khrushchev house yourself, if you take into account all the nuances. In addition to the large main areas, there are several small ones - a bathroom and toilet, a storage room and a balcony. All these rooms are not only functional, but also allow you to unload the main space.
Renovation in a two-room Khrushchev house begins with the hallway and storage room. Designers recommend turning this room into a real food or clothing storage area. Shelves should be installed from one wall to another, filling the entire space. To facilitate access to storage, drawers are used.
If the pantry is very small, it can be used to store food PHOTO: archidea.com.ua A practical solution is to transform the pantry into a small dressing room PHOTO: forum.sdelaimebel.ru
