Design of a one-room Khrushchev house: 16 tips + photos

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Many young families start life together in a small apartment. Most often, at the first stage there is not enough money to buy a large apartment, but, nevertheless, you want to live in a beautiful apartment from the very beginning. Even a small one-room apartment can be furnished better than a large one. In a one-room apartment, it is very important to rationally place all the furniture, as well as get rid of all the things that you have not used during the last year.

Maybe it’s a pity to throw them away, but if you haven’t found a use for them in a year, leaving them in case of “what if they come in handy,” it’s better not to store them in a small apartment, otherwise it will turn into a trash bin.

By getting rid of unnecessary things, you must understand that you will only benefit: at least, by making room for more necessary and useful ones in everyday life.

Despite its small size, a one-room Khrushchev house can be remodeled so that it visually looks more spacious, there will be a lot of light and comfort in it. But to do this, you should take its reconstruction seriously, take into account every area of the room, carefully think through and select new furniture .

Mainly, only the renovation of a one-room apartment in Khrushchev will help. At the same time, you will definitely have to spend money, because a full-fledged and perfect interior cannot be achieved with old furniture.

The main factor in the readiness of an apartment for living in it is the ability to very quickly find the right thing , and not to focus on the design of unusual decor. Taking this into account, the selection of furniture is carried out according to the requests of residents planning to live there .

Advice! To create a cozy apartment, it is better to do the interior design yourself, since only you know what you want to see in the room in order to feel true comfort.

Khrushchevka. Typical layouts

Mass construction of Khrushchev-era apartment buildings began in 1958 and lasted until 1985. At that time, thousands of families received their own housing in 4-5-story panel and brick houses. The rooms were very small and in most cases walk-through, the corridors were narrow and dark, and the bathrooms were shared. The ceiling height was 2.48 m, in rare cases – 2.7 m. The area of one-room apartments did not exceed 29-33 sq.m. of which 5.8-6.2 meters were allocated for the kitchen, from 15.9 to 20.7 meters - for the living room. The rest of the area was occupied by a corridor and a bathroom. The dimensions of the premises depended on the year of construction and the series and had the following typical layouts:

It is noteworthy that almost all one-room apartments had a balcony and almost the same arrangement of rooms.
Before embarking on any radical measures , you need to clearly know:

Exact number of residents. After all, it is one thing to carry out work to organize a comfortable stay for one person, and quite another thing for a young family with a child. The requirements will be radically different, the division of area will be completely different;
What functional areas can you definitely not live without? We are talking about such “premises” as a study or a full-fledged isolated bedroom. After all, some people easily use the sofa in the living room for daily sleep and feel absolutely normal, while for others such openness has a depressing effect;

The amount of work that we have to plan, the need to demolish interior partitions or, conversely, erect additional ones, will depend on the two factors listed above. Do not be surprised. But really, not all designers recommend turning a one-room apartment into a studio apartment . In order for the housing to meet all the requirements of the owners, sometimes full-fledged blind partitions are installed from lightweight materials - plasterboard or aerated concrete. Therefore, it is first recommended to make a list of the mandatory items that you want to have. It could be anything - a sink opposite the window in the kitchen, a shelf for a personal library, household appliances that you cannot refuse, etc. Based on this list, you need to plan your interior design and redistribute space between zones.

Radical measures to expand space

It is not always possible to visually expand the space using only the well-known “spacious apartment - white apartment” technique. In addition, not everyone is comfortable surrounded by white walls and white furniture and everything white, even though this color has many beautiful shades. Therefore, physical methods for increasing the usable area still prevail in most cases.

There are only two possible options:

Demolition of partitions. The most pleasant thing is that all the partitions in one-room Khrushchev buildings are not load-bearing. In very rare cases this is not the case. Therefore, you have complete freedom of action, and you do not risk collapsing the entire building due to inept redevelopment. The absence of partitions will instantly make the home more spacious and bright and will open up new opportunities for arranging furniture and dividing it into the necessary zones. But do not forget that any work must be legalized by the relevant authorities. After all, without a new technical passport, you will not be able to sell remodeled housing in the future;
Combination with a balcony. In the first paragraph, we emphasized that almost all one-room apartments have a balcony for a reason. After all, these are invaluable additional meters to the total area of the room. Yes, you are unlikely to be able to increase the size of the room by more than 4 square meters, but you must agree that with a total area of 30 square meters, this is a real bonus that you should definitely take advantage of! The resulting space can be used in any way, depending on whether it is adjacent to the kitchen or the living room. In order to make this place comfortable, work should be done to insulate all its surfaces and install high-quality double-glazed windows. By the way, such a combination also applies to redevelopment and requires the availability of all permitting documents. Especially if panoramic glazing is planned.

Yes, you will have to visit many institutions before you agree on all the work, but the result will be worth it. And if you ask for help from construction organizations that will develop a design project, then in most cases they will take care of obtaining all permits, which will significantly speed up the start of work and save your nerves.

to think carefully combining the kitchen with the living room . Firstly, if you use the kitchen frequently and for its intended purpose, it may not be entirely convenient. A powerful hood will help deal with characteristic odors, but not with accompanying sounds. Secondly, according to the law, it is forbidden to combine a gasified kitchen and a living space. Even the door cannot be dismantled. If there is gas in the kitchen, you will either have to abandon the idea of combining it with the room, or cut off the gas and buy an electric stove. This is quite difficult, expensive and not possible in all cases. But there is an alternative - install sliding partitions. This way, formalities will be observed, and there will be more space.

About redevelopment of a small apartment

The main task when arranging a “one-room apartment” of the Khrushchev type is to expand the space. The walls, of course, cannot be moved apart, but it is quite possible to increase the area at least visually. An apartment designer usually uses several techniques to help achieve this goal:

combination and zoning of rooms;
light finish;
multifunctional compact furniture;
proper lighting;
minimum number of attributes of furniture and accessories.

The reason for redevelopment may be the drawn up design project of the apartment.

Many owners decide on a radical redevelopment with the demolition of walls. But to implement such a project, it will be necessary to collect many documents, approvals and permits to carry out these actions. Therefore, today we will focus on the design of a one-room “Khrushchev” without demolishing load-bearing walls. The only thing that can be done without the approval of the authorities is to combine the bathroom and toilet. As a result, we will get a more spacious room that can be decorated with taste.

Methods for zoning combined space

After all the extra walls that interfered with breathing have been demolished, it’s time to properly divide the large rectangle into functional zones. In such small spaces, it is necessary to choose zoning methods that will not take up much space. non-physical methods are most often used

Zoning using different finishing materials . The separation of one zone from another can be purely visual. The desired effect will be achieved by wall and floor coverings, which will differ in a given area in color, texture or design. For example, in the living room it will be imitation brickwork, and in the recreation area it will be wallpaper or paint. There are floor tiles in the hallway, and laminate flooring in the living room, etc.;
Light zoning. This option does its job perfectly, looks beautiful and interesting and fills the apartment with light, which makes it visually more spacious. Each zone should have its own lighting fixture. It doesn’t matter what specific type it will be presented in, the main thing is that you can fully use it independently of the others. For example, in the living room you can hang a full-fledged chandelier over the sofa, and install a table lamp in the area that serves as a study. In the recreation area, install several LED lamps in the ceiling or hang sconces. Floor lamps, diode strips, and spot lamps are also often used, the luminous flux of which can be directed to the right place;
Mobile screens are a great way to create a private space. And when not needed, they can be easily folded and put away in a secluded place;
Zoning with textiles is another beautiful way that does not require much space. Separating a sleeping area from a common space is very simple by installing a cornice on the border and hanging a beautiful curtain. The density of the material is selected at your discretion. If you want complete insulation, choose thick, light-proof fabric. But don't use too dark shades. If you just need to mark the border, both thread curtains and light tulle will do;
Transparent glass or plastic partitions also do an excellent job;
To avoid sacrificing the door to the kitchen, but still be able to expand the space, install wide sliding doors. When you are not busy cooking, you can easily move the sides;
Although bubble panels or narrow aquariums take up some space, they look very impressive and unusual;
The most dimensional method is zoning with the help of pieces of furniture, sometimes it is simply a necessity. But do not forget that the back wall of the wardrobe can at the same time be a place to place wall shelves, a full-length mirror, or simply be covered with wallpaper and serve as a full-fledged partition.

Before setting boundaries, you need to decide how many meters are needed for a particular room. For example, 1-2 square meters is enough for a study, 6-8 for a bedroom, no more than 6 for a kitchen, 8 to 10 for a child’s room, since in addition to a place to relax, there should be a place for games and a desk. The rest remains for the living room. Most often, the balcony is reserved for organizing one or two workplaces.

Expert advice

Decorating a Khrushchev building is not always an easy job. Here you need to take a responsible approach to the selection of finishing, furniture, and decor. You should follow a number of simple expert tips to avoid serious mistakes in creating a design for such housing:

If you plan to carry out redevelopment, under no circumstances should you destroy the supporting structures. In order not to cause serious damage to the structure, you need to contact the appropriate organization and obtain permission for future changes to the structure of the apartment.
Do not overload such housing with furniture and decor. Try to choose small but practical and useful designs.
It is not recommended to change the location of the toilet. This is especially true in cases where there is another apartment below you.
Do not block access to geyser risers. Any changes to these elements must be made by specialists in the field.

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A small apartment should have enough artificial and natural lighting. Make sure you have a sufficient number of lighting fixtures (do not choose too bulky and hanging options), and also do not hang too heavy and thick curtains on the windows.
Remodeling any room should only happen after carefully drawing up an action plan, otherwise you risk creating an interior that is not the most harmonious and attractive.
Be careful with zoning items. Try to choose not too large and blind structures, as they can not only visually divide, but also reduce the space.

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Examples of successful redevelopments of Khrushchev buildings

In this section we will give several examples of stunning and functional layouts of one-room Khrushchev apartments with an area of 30 sq.m., which actually implemented . When planning, all the requirements and wishes of the owners were taken into account, and the dimensions of pieces of furniture, the thickness of partitions and passages were calculated down to the centimeter. Otherwise, it would simply not be possible to bring the furniture into the room.

Example No. 1. When redeveloping this dwelling, all the partitions were first demolished, and then new ones were erected. The right thickness and in the right places. The kitchen was nevertheless combined with the living room; a bar counter and chairs were installed at the border, since the table had to be sacrificed. This made it possible to fit a sofa and small bedside tables on the sides. It is worth noting that the kitchen area is only 5 square meters. The bedroom turned out to be quite spacious and could fit a bed and a wardrobe. It was possible to preserve a spacious corridor where a niche was organized for a wardrobe. Thus, there is more than enough storage space in the apartment. The area of the bathroom is only 3 sq.m. Therefore, a shower cabin was preferred to a standard bathtub, and the sink was installed above the washing machine. Well, why don’t you want a full-fledged two-room apartment?
Example No. 2. This layout is implemented on an area of 31 square meters in a corner apartment. In this option, the kitchen remained isolated from the rest of the rooms. In addition, a partition was added in the living room, which made it possible to separate the sleeping area and the opening between the corridor and the living room was expanded. The door frame was removed, which made it possible to visually expand the room. Due to the fact that the apartment is a corner one, both the living room and the bedroom have a window opening, which makes them full-fledged, separate rooms. Bedroom area – 7 sq.m., living room – 9 sq.m. Moreover, both rooms include one small workplace. Please note that all furniture is mobile and functional. The desktop is equipped with wheels, which allows you to move it to the center of the living room when guests arrive. The spacious closet is represented by a corner model. And the most pleasant thing is that it was possible to fit a full-fledged rectangular bathtub in the bathroom due to the fact that narrow plumbing fixtures and a wall-hung toilet of the smallest size were used, and the washing machine was suspended above the toilet;
Example No. 3. The area of this apartment is 29 square meters. In this case, every centimeter of space was used to the maximum. Some of the partitions were dismantled, a niche was equipped to accommodate a bed, and the entrance to the kitchen was moved. Where there used to be a door to the kitchen is now a small workspace. In the kitchen of 5 sq.m. There is a large amount of built-in equipment. It was possible to fit it in thanks to the fact that the narrowest built-in models were chosen, and the gas stove was replaced with a two-burner hob. In order to have a full-fledged work area, the tabletop was extended and opposite the window. The bedroom and living room essentially form one room. But the sleeping area is isolated due to the retractable screen. The diagram shows that a large corner wardrobe fits in the hallway. Additional storage space is provided by a niche in the sofa and a large box under the mattress of the bed with a lifting mechanism, as well as wall shelves;
Example No. 4. This is an example of redevelopment of an apartment with an area of 30 sq.m. It is interesting because a glass partition was used to isolate the sleeping area. Additionally, it is equipped with blackout curtains, which provide complete darkness even in daylight. In the bedroom, under the wall there is a large wardrobe with glass fronts. This technique makes it possible to create perspective, which visually increases the space. Another smaller closet is located in the hallway. The living room is combined with the kitchen, and on the border there is a dining group. The window sill in the kitchen was raised to the same level as the countertop and is its continuation. The entrance to the bathroom was moved, making it possible to compactly place everything you need, and even a full bath. In this case, the washing machine is also suspended using special mounts above the toilet. Agree, after such actions it is already difficult to call the apartment Khrushchev. Such housing is maximally adapted to the needs of the owners, functional and comfortable.

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.

5.Which interior style is better to choose

It would be wrong to say that a particular style is the most recommended for the interior of a one-room Khrushchev house. All styles are equally suitable for the design of both large and small spaces. Of course, modern trends, which are distinguished by their simplicity, restraint and conciseness, will allow you to achieve the best results. Such interiors are endowed with special space, a sense of freedom, filled with light and contain only what is necessary. But what about those who prefer classics or cute Provence? And if there is no clear favorite at all?

To create a harmonious space, you should follow several recommendations:

If you like the characteristic features of several styles at once, do not deny yourself the pleasure of creating a unique interior. The main thing is that the styles are in harmony with each other and do not create inappropriate contrasts;
Connoisseurs of the classics should not give up their preferences. Considering that such regal styles are best revealed in large areas, and in small rooms they create a feeling of crampedness, use only individual characteristic fragments. For example, focus on chic, expensive textiles. This feature is characteristic of both classics, baroque and renaissance. Add some stucco at the corners of the ceiling or “gild” a beautiful frame around the mirror. Use appropriate finishing materials, beautiful fabric shades for floor lamps and table lamps. And you are guaranteed a luxurious but spacious interior;
For adherents of ethnic styles, it is enough to introduce recognizable decorative elements into the interior. For example, the Egyptian style cannot do without figurines of sphinxes and pyramids, Chinese - without hieroglyphs and dragons, Japanese - without an elegant cherry branch, etc. and of course you need to stick to the appropriate color scheme.

Palette of shades

Any resident of Khrushchev wants to arrange the interior so that it is pleasant and comfortable, but also makes him more cheerful and confident. To figure out which colors are best to decorate an apartment in, it’s worth finding out the opinion of psychologists.

They began to study this topic a long time ago and discovered that the colors used in the environment greatly change a person.

Red. This color can make you more cheerful, active and help you make the right decision. He seems to be calling for action. In addition, it creates a feeling of warmth. The disadvantage of the red shade is that it visually narrows the space. It also awakens hunger, which is why it should be used in the kitchen.
Ginger. It charges with optimism and fun, charges with friendliness. Red tones can bring people together, so it is recommended to use it in a room where you often gather with acquaintances and friends.
Yellow. It makes the room sunnier and makes you want to create. The mood immediately lifts, so if you lack pleasant sunlight (and especially in the fall, when the weather is gloomy and gloomy), use yellow when decorating a Khrushchev building.
Green. It symbolizes nature, will help you become calmer and more peaceful, and ensure peace of mind.
Blue. Provides emotional stability, balances feelings, relaxes.
Blue. Helps you feel cool and promotes daydreaming.
Violet. It adds mystery and originality to the interior, but it can make a person inoperative and lethargic, and reduce his vitality.
Pink. It puts you in a romantic mood, but takes away your vitality.
Brown. Creates a feeling of security, makes you feel protected. Softens the mood and relaxes a little.
Snow-white. Gives a feeling of coldness, makes you more modest.

Tips for choosing finishing materials

Various bans on the use of certain finishing materials are also a big misconception. Depending on the chosen style, you can use everything - plastic panels and paper wallpaper. It’s still worth standing out too much, because in small rooms, the simpler the better.

For wall decoration , try to use plain materials or those with a natural texture. A suitable solution would be to use photo wallpaper. A well-chosen drawing with perspective will visually enlarge the room. Various landscapes that have a path that seems to lead into the distance are perfect. The advantage of such paintings is that they rarely get boring, unlike abstraction or a view of the city at night. Try to choose wallpaper that does not have too large a pattern. Don't forget about mirrors or mirror panels;
Since the ceilings in Khrushchev-era buildings are low, it is not worth building multi-level structures. They will visually lower it even lower. A simple white ceiling with soft lighting along the contour is the best solution. Whether it will be tensioned or simply painted depends only on the condition of the surface. It is acceptable to use photo printing with an image of the sky. This will create the illusion that there is no ceiling at all;
As flooring, you can use tiles or linoleum, as well as parquet or laminate. Choose materials in accordance with the purpose of the premises. Where frequent wet cleaning with detergents is required (bath, kitchen, living room), it is better to give preference to more durable coatings. Sleeping areas and recreation areas are favored by “warmer” materials.

"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.

Proper organization of lighting

We have already said that when dividing a space into several functional zones, it is necessary to provide independent lighting for each of them. The choice of lamps depends on preferences and needs, but it is better if they are all consistent and in the same style.

Choose natural or warm light. This will create a comfortable environment for your eyes;
Use multi-level lighting - lamps, floor lamps, sconces, main light and decorative lighting. There is not a lot of light in small rooms;
Arrange lamps in such a way that they are functional and illuminate a specific object or area;
Do not forget that during daylight hours the maximum amount of natural light should penetrate into the apartment. Do not block window openings with pieces of furniture. Do not block them with screens. Don't fill your windowsills with tall potted flowers. An interesting technique would be to completely abandon any textiles or blinds. “Bare” openings will visually expand the room.

Choosing a style direction

When decorating a small Khrushchev house, choosing a style may seem difficult. After all, you may like some part from one style direction, and another part from the second.

Don’t be afraid to mix the styles you like, because this will only add originality to the interior of your home. In a small apartment it is difficult to maintain one specific style, so many people combine several.

Here are some style directions that you can use when decorating:

Classical. It combines tradition, solidity, expensive and high-quality materials and products. Furniture items are made of natural wood, and fabric upholstery consists of expensive material. The shades are calm and restrained. They are usually beige, bright brown and bright green, pastel. Various paintings inserted into gold, expensive frames are perfect.
Ethnic. The point of this trend is to recreate the style of a particular country. This type of design is very popular among travelers and simple lovers of the traditions of other nations. The apartment can be furnished in Chinese, English, African, Egyptian. Some even mix several countries in one room. It turns out quite exotic, unusual and original.
Modern. These include art deco, country, modernism, loft, hi-tech and minimalist style. There is no unnecessary comfort here, the contrast of similar colors is noticeable. In such a room there is a large amount of artificial lighting and furniture of clear shapes.

Selecting the optimal color scheme

Not only solid white color makes it possible to make a room spacious. You can use many other shades. The main thing is that they are close to light, pastel. Tones such as : _

Cream;
Sand;
Soft pink or peach;
Lavender;
Pale yellow or pale green;
Baby blue;
Light grey.

In general, take your favorite color as a basis and choose from a palette of light shades. also allowed to use in the interior of small rooms . But they should appear in the form of small accents. For example, it could be a beautiful floor vase, a painting, a small rug or sofa cushions. To ensure that the color scheme of the apartment does not resemble a vinaigrette and is clear and harmonious, it is recommended to use no more than 3 colors. Where 60% of the area should be occupied by the main background color, 30% by the additional one, and only 10% should be reserved for bright details. This rule is used by all interior designers, because only with this method is it possible to build a correct and easy-to-perceive color composition.

Requirements for furniture items

In cramped conditions, each item is assigned its own place, which is strictly limited. It is this approach that allows for rational use of space. All pieces of furniture that are selected for a one-room apartment must meet the following requirements:

Have the simplest and most correct form;
Have hidden storage places, that is, be functional;
Pay attention to modular designs, which can be individual elements if necessary;
It is better to choose compact folding structures as a dining table;
Coffee tables can also be transformed into full-fledged dining tables for 4-6 people;
An expensive, but most functional purchase will be transformable furniture. A sofa or bed made in this likeness will allow you to save maximum free space;
It is better to use mirrors as facades of sliding wardrobes;
Some beds come with shelves around the headboard - a great way to display some nice little things;
Buy only truly necessary furniture that you cannot do without. This will allow the space not to be cluttered;
Dark furniture in small rooms will look simply gigantic and massive and will create an oppressive feeling. It is better to use natural wood shades in light colors or white facades.

How to arrange furniture

When arranging furniture in a Khrushchev house, you should take into account that it is necessary to fill the following places with things:

shelves and racks will look good on the walls above the sofas;
It would also not hurt to install some furniture and cabinets in the corners;
It would be a good idea to hang shelves in the corridors: this will also save space and increase free space (at least to accommodate larger items).

If you are planning to buy new furniture, it is worth considering that without renovation, the new set or other furniture will not look good, and this will only highlight all the flaws in the interior of a one-room apartment. The walls and floors will look even more shabby and less fresh. The delight will instantly disappear as soon as you put everything in its place.

Advice! When updating furniture, it is worth making at least minimal cosmetic repairs to the apartment, which will make it possible for modern furniture to look harmonious in the updated interior.

Kitchen design in Khrushchev

Many people wonder how to make a room with an area of 6 sq.m. not only beautiful, but also roomy. With the right approach it is very simple:

Be sure to use the window sill as an extension of the work surface;
Choose compact built-in appliances with minimal dimensions;
If the family is small, there is no need to buy bulky and tall refrigerators + a separate freezer. A medium-sized refrigerator is sufficient;
Be sure to replace a regular kitchen stove with a hob and a separate oven;
Use built-in hoods from the slim series. This will allow you not to take up space, but to give it to an additional wall cabinet, plus hide communications;
If possible, use the space around the window opening to organize closed or open shelves or racks;
Glossy facades in light shades will reflect more light and help expand the boundaries;
A glass or plastic transparent table will appear smaller;
If there is no urgent need for a full-fledged dining group, replace the table with a bar counter or a kitchen island, which can be additionally equipped with cabinet shelves. This method is especially popular in kitchens combined with a living room.

Features of bathroom design

The bathroom in one-room Khrushchev-era apartments is truly the standard of compactness. Fitting everything you need there is sometimes an impossible task, but we can handle this:

The most important element in this room is the bath. However, most people only use it for showering. In this case, it is wiser to purchase a compact shower cabin;
Wall-hung toilets will look smaller than they actually are. But cleaning the room will immediately become more convenient;
Try to place as few items on the floor as possible. Use hanging cabinets and sinks;
To store household chemicals, it is better to purchase a flat cabinet, the front of which will also serve as a mirror;
It is very important that this small room is always tidy. There is no need to place a lot of shelves on the walls. And if you decide to hang them, use glass ones. Don't hang a full set of towels all over the wall. It is better to beautifully roll them up with a tight roller and place them in a pyramid on an open shelf under the sink;
If it is not possible to take the washing machine into the kitchen, choose a compact model that can be placed above the sink, or that can even be hung on the wall. Typically, such models are designed for no more than 3 kg of laundry;
Choose light finishing materials and do not forget about lighting.

Floors for a 1-room apartment

Flooring also plays an important role in the interior. Based on the material, they are divided into two parts: natural and artificial.

Parquet. It has excellent wear resistance and is almost incapable of deformation. Parquet has good durability, but it is recommended to install it in rooms where people rarely walk.
Cork floors. Eco-friendly material, has heat and sound insulation. Even if it is deformed, it will quickly straighten out. In addition, the material is not susceptible to the negative effects of external factors.
Marmoleum. It is fire-resistant, environmentally friendly and easy to install.
Laminate. Consists of several layers. It is durable, wear-resistant, moisture-resistant and easy to install.
Carpeting. It is recommended to use these in bedrooms, living rooms and other living rooms where comfort should be created.

Renovating and decorating the interior of an apartment is actually quite exciting. You just need to know which style, material and finishing method is best to choose so that the resulting room looks attractive.

This is especially true for one-room Khrushchev houses, where there is not much space. Focus on recommendations, as well as personal tastes, and then you will be able to recreate the environment of your dreams.

Living room interior in a one-room Khrushchev building

In fact, the living room should only fit two pieces of furniture that absolutely everyone really needs - a sofa and a wardrobe. The remaining items are purchased based on the size of the remaining free space and the actual need for them.

Definitely worth it refuse from the usual way of placing the TV - on a stand. It would be much wiser to hang it on the wall using special brackets;
If there is a free corner, it is better to choose a wardrobe with a corner design. Such models look compact, but in fact they allow you to fit a large number of things;
You should not use a large number of decorative items. It is also important to monitor their size. A large painting on a narrow wall will only emphasize its modest size. A lot of small elements are also undesirable. 4-5 medium-sized items will be enough;
You should also carefully monitor whether the size of the furniture is commensurate with the size of the room. Cabinets that are too deep and wide will “stick out” from the wall, as if they are cramped there. A large sofa will turn a small room into a tiny one if there is no free space around it;
If you have a personal library, place it on an open U-shaped shelving unit, which is best placed under the TV wall. If such an element is present, other decorative items should be discarded;
Also, do not use several carpets in one room. If you want to make the floor warmer, it is better to immediately cover it with a plain carpet around the entire perimeter;

Khrushchev in the style of minimalism

This apartment has become an example of laconic design. It’s hard to imagine that this place was once renovated in the 60s and housed old furniture. Authors: Dmitry and Daria Koloskov.

It is a rare design project in a Khrushchev-era building that can be completed without redevelopment. In this apartment it turned out a little differently: they only made an opening in the wall, combining the kitchen and the room. The living room has a sofa, TV and work table, repeating the design of the dining room. If necessary, they can be moved.

The finishing combines lightness and brutality: exposed concrete on the floor, brickwork, painted plaster and wood make up a harmonious ensemble. Light furniture, as well as a niche for a wooden bed, give the apartment a natural feel, and dark parquet gives it nobility.

View the entire project “Realized project of a one-room Khrushchev house in Nakhodka”

What to do with a small hallway

The hallway in the Khrushchev building is not far from the bathroom along the area allocated for it. The most unpleasant thing in the interior of any corridor, of course, which is not combined with the living room, is the lack of a source of natural light. Knowing about this drawback, you need to try to eliminate it and use powerful lamps for illumination.

If redevelopment is being carried out, then you need to provide a niche in which you can install a small closet or hanger for outerwear;
Otherwise, it is better to limit yourself to the following pieces of furniture - a shoe cabinet, a floor hanger, a mirror, a pouf or a small bench;
It is better to keep the interior of the hallway in light colors;
The space above the front door can be used for mezzanines, where it is convenient to store shoes in boxes;
By the way, the front door itself can be used as a clothes hanger by screwing a couple of hooks to it.

How to visually expand the space?

There is another way to make an apartment larger - to expand its boundaries visually. To do this, various tricks and tricks are used.

One of them is the choice of furniture for the apartment. For a small apartment, smaller furniture is suitable. Folding sofa beds, extendable tables, and folding chairs save space well. In the arrangement diagram, such pieces of furniture take up less space.

For a small apartment, it is important to choose multifunctional furniture that can be used in different ways. A sofa with a lifting mechanism, benches and ottomans with a hinged lid can be used as additional storage space

A folding bed-wardrobe or a loft bed, under which there is space to work, also helps save space. An interesting option is a transforming bed, which folds up during the day and takes up much less space.

You can visually expand the room using transparent and mirror surfaces. Transparent furniture is invisible, but performs its function. A transparent partition allows color to pass through, does not clutter the room, but at the same time separates one “room” from another.

Mirrors on walls or cabinets reflect the room, adding depth and making it appear larger. A ceiling that reflects the space underneath will help to visually “raise” a low ceiling.

Another way to make a room seem larger is to use certain colors in the interior. The room looks more spacious if it has light wallpaper. Horizontal stripes on the wallpaper will help visually expand the room.

In a small room, lighting is very important. A room seems larger if there are no dark corners

And here for lighting it is necessary to use lighting devices that do not take up much space - table and wall lamps, LED backlighting, built-in point light sources.

In a small, low room, shelves, high racks and cabinets will help to visually raise the ceiling. In addition, they allow you to make maximum use of wall space.

It is easy to make a passage room visually more spacious if you remove the doors in it. Often these doors still won't close. But a beautiful large arch will expand the space.

In this room, light furniture and horizontal surfaces on the wall visually expand the space. Photo wallpaper on the wall with a picture of a field stretching into the distance also adds volume to the room.

This is an ordinary room in a small apartment, but it seems more spacious than it actually is. All the techniques mentioned above were used here: light walls and furniture, long shelves and a cabinet, a transparent table. The room is filled with air and light.

Organization of a children's room in Khrushchev

A question that concerns many young families is how to find a place to organize a nursery? This is really not easy to do; most often such apartments do not have a sleeping area for adults. Its role is played by a folding sofa in the living room. An exception is the case when the parents' bed is installed on a combined balcony. But in this case, you will need really high-quality heat and sound insulation. However, this option also exists.

In order not to deprive yourself of the joy of having your own bedroom and a children’s room, you can move the child’s play area or desk to the balcony;
It is better to use a mobile screen as a partition, which can be easily removed when not needed;
Also, do not forget about loft beds, which provide a full-fledged place for studying on the first floor, and a sleeping place on the second;
For older children, buy a bed with built-in drawers, this will eliminate the need to purchase additional furniture;
Use baskets for toys;
Many desks have extensions on which it is convenient to store textbooks and other necessities;
Remember that the child does not need a large amount of furniture, it is more your needs than his. Therefore, it is better to leave more space for games.

Methods of use

The simplest option is to install built-in furniture. If the niche cannot boast of large dimensions, a false window and shelves with built-in lighting are used to decorate it. The recess at the head of the bed, used for storing books and jewelry, is usually decorated with a curtain.

Another alcove can be selected to accommodate the zone:

Bedrooms;
Dressing room;
Children's;
Kitchens.

An interesting and expedient (from the point of view of saving apartment space) solution is to place a folding bed in a niche. Or in the free space you can organize a sleeping place for the baby.

A recess in the wall can also be used to build a fireplace or create an imitation of one. For greater effect, experts recommend supplementing the composition with a shelf with fireplace accessories located on it.

Another option for using a niche is to equip a bar there. And if the owner of the apartment is a teetotaler, then instead of a bar, you can install a full-fledged kitchen set.

How to fit an office in a modest apartment

It happens that many people desperately need a work office in their apartment. This small area can hardly be called a full-fledged office, but in terms of functionality it will not be inferior to a large office.

What should be in the office? It depends on the type of your activity. In the vast majority of cases, this is a computer or laptop and a small table with a chair. Less often - a table for cutting, drawing, drawing. Accordingly, a couple of square meters is enough for us;
We have already talked about placing the office on the balcony. This is almost ideal. You can also work in the living room if you install a window sill under it and place several shelves around the window opening. All that remains is to place a small chair. The advantage of this solution is maximum lighting;
If more space is required, you can use tables that are equipped with wheels and a sliding wing or book tables;
If the balcony was combined with the room in such a way that the balcony block was not completely dismantled, but an “island” remained, feel free to use it as a work area;
The necessary conditions can be equipped at the storage area.

What NOT to do when developing the design of a Khrushchev building

We have reviewed recommendations for arranging the design of a one-room Khrushchev house. Now let's list those few points that are best avoided in the interiors of small apartments:

Under no circumstances use finishing materials with large or similar patterns. Look at the photo below. To decorate the walls, wide striped wallpaper was used, which was pasted over several walls. Firstly, the interior immediately began to merge, the stripes seemed huge, and the room was small. Secondly, all efforts related to the redevelopment immediately came to naught. Give preference to plain surfaces;
The same photo shows how gloomy the room looks without the proper level of lighting and how rough the dark pieces of furniture look;
Avoid a large number of small decorative items;
You should not choose multi-colored shades for the ceiling vault - only white. Otherwise, the ceiling will instantly put pressure on your head;
Light gray or white flooring will look best;
Do not use unnecessary furniture and do not choose massive models.

By adhering to these simple rules, you will be able to, without outside help, turn your previously hated Khrushchev into a comfortable home that you will want to return to after a hard day.
The article was written for the site.

Tags:Apartment design

Kitchen and bathroom

The kitchen is very small, the walls are very crooked, even at the level of concrete or brick, the floor is a couple of centimeters higher than in the other rooms. The premises can be expanded, but the actions must first be coordinated with the BTI and the management company.

To level the walls, you should use plaster, after which you should level it with putty. Sometimes slide panels are used, the installation of which takes much less time (this is a good idea for renovating the walls of Khrushchev-era buildings).

Renovating a bathroom should always begin with replacing the floor and wall waterproofing. It is also necessary to replace the pipe lines from metal to modern metal-plastic ones with the ends exiting to neighbors or connecting to their ends made of the same material.

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