Khrushchev buildings still stand all over the country today. Despite its advanced age, this home is in fairly good condition and is actively being renovated and decorated. By modern standards, the internal distribution of rooms in these houses does not withstand constructive criticism.
The rooms are located inconveniently and have a small area, which makes people feel uncomfortable. However, if you compare the layouts of these apartments and modern low-budget studios, the advantage of old buildings becomes obvious. In any case, the buildings of those years were not built with maximum economy; the apartments maintained an acceptable level of sound insulation.
Important! Redevelopment of a one-room apartment in a Khrushchev-era building is a mandatory process if, after the purchase, there is still money left for normal repairs. Changing the design parameters of the rooms will make housing more convenient.
Combined layout without internal partitions
Design techniques for expanding space
When designing a one-room Khrushchev house, experts advise paying special attention to the proportions of the furniture used. A bulky, heavy structure looks bad in a small room. Therefore, it is better to exclude large tables and cabinets and use smaller analogues.
When decorating a Khrushchev-era apartment, avoid bulky furniture
The following rules are known to everyone, but when performing work such as the design of a one-room Khrushchev house, it is simply necessary to follow them:
1. Use only light colors to cover the surface. In this case, adhere to the following rule: the walls should be the lightest. The ceiling may be a shade darker. But the floor is allowed a darker shade. Using white is a great idea. But it has a lot of shades to visually give the room larger dimensions.
Light wall decoration will visually increase the space
2. Choose a shade for surfaces taking into account the mood being created: invigorating, joyful, peaceful.
3. You should not use more than three basic colors for a room. It is better to adhere to this well-known rule in a small area so as not to visually clutter up the space and not turn it into a storage area for things and furniture.
When decorating, do not use more than three basic colors
4. Try to avoid large patterns and prints on surfaces. If necessary, apply the design selectively on one or several sides, leaving the rest painted in colors that match the design.
5. The use of mirrors allows you to increase space. When placing them, make sure that the work area does not fall into the reflected surfaces.
Use mirror surfaces to visually increase space
6. Do not decorate window sills with traditional flower pots. They will only cut up the space and make it smaller.
7. Nothing visually increases space like additional light. It can come from the windows; for this, the window openings are not cluttered and do not create obstacles in the path of sunlight. Don't skimp on artificial lighting. Otherwise, the room may take on the appearance of a storage room.
Empty window openings do not block the penetration of light
8. A good design solution that helps to significantly expand the room is to place 3D wallpaper with a perspective on one wall - a pattern going into the distance.
3D wallpaper will help expand the space of the room
These techniques help expand the space and give it visually larger volumes. But these are not the only ways to increase the space.
Layout options
Modern design techniques presented in the photo allow you to create stylish and cozy interiors
In a two-room apartment building in Khrushchev it is important to take into account the area and geometry. The layout, popularly called the “book” with a total area of 42 square meters, has a plan with living adjacent rooms with one passage, considered the most unsuccessful
The rooms in the “tram” arrangement are also adjacent, but are more convenient for separation.
The layout of Khrushchev apartments in a nine-story building of 44 square meters is distinguished by an improved placement of rooms, but the minimum size of the kitchen will require taking drastic measures and drawing up a plan to expand the space. A layout project with a symmetrical arrangement of rooms with an area of 45 square meters with a small kitchen in or “vest”.
Despite the comfortable isolation of the living space, the presented diagram and project confirm the need to enlarge the kitchen. Selling small-sized housing with a non-standard two-room layout is not the only way out of the situation.
Space redevelopment
The greatest expansion of space can be achieved by remodeling the premises of a one-room apartment. These works must be coordinated with the services of the relevant organizations and can only be implemented after consultation with specialists. Because it is not permissible to conduct any experiments with load-bearing walls. They can affect the integrity of the house.
Some tips for remodeling a Khrushchev building:
1. If the apartment includes a balcony, then by refurbishing it and visually connecting it with the living area, you can significantly increase the area. Additional space is used as an office, to expand the recreation area, as a dressing room.
Attaching a balcony to a room
2. A feature of small apartments is the presence of storage rooms, often of irregular, complex shape. Try adding them to your living space or bathroom. In the first case, you will get additional living space. In the second redevelopment option, a washing machine will fit into a small bathroom and free up much-needed space in the kitchen.
Equipment for a workspace in a closet
3. Often the size of the apartment is increased by combining the corridor, kitchen and room into a single whole. As a result, a one-room apartment turns into a studio with one room and a sanitary unit.
Studio from a one-room Khrushchev building
4. In order to visually expand the space, sometimes there is no need to demolish or move walls. You can make additional arches, remove or move doorways and get portals. These techniques partially remove obstacles and increase volumes.
The absence of doors will add volume to the room
Zoning the room expands the space well. In this case, several independent zones are obtained, separated by small screens or light walls. The use of partitions - vertical structures - also helps to increase the height of the room and gives it a modern look.
Zoning space in a one-room Khrushchev house
When designing a one-room Khrushchev house, do not use swing doors. In order for them to swing open according to all the rules, about one meter of area is needed. The use of coupe or accordion-type designs will help you find a few more square meters of additional space.
Sliding doors will save apartment space
False panels look good in a small room. They, as a rule, only partially divide the space, but can be used as supports when placing equipment, household appliances, a TV or decorative elements.
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.
Prohibited moments when designing a one-room apartment
When starting to carry out work related to changing the layout of the apartment, there are some limiting points, things that cannot be done under any circumstances:
1. No matter how itchy your hands are and how much you want to move the bathroom, don’t do it. By placing a sanitary facility above someone's living room, you may cause irreparable damage to your neighbors in the future.
2. Do not block the existing ventilation system in the house.
3. Gas pipelines running through the apartment must be provided with constant access. This affects the safety of residence.
Typical series of Khrushchev buildings: the main pros and cons of houses
At one time, this was a way out to solve the housing problem. The projects included mainly five-story buildings. The Khrushchev plan was small in size. The typical difference is related to building materials:
- brick;
- panels.
To properly plan the areas of a one-room apartment, you will need to perform redevelopment.
The opportunity to save money led to the construction of panel houses in the 60s of the last century. The desire to provide young families with housing - small, but their own - justified such architectural solutions, but this is where all the advantages of such creations end. There are plenty of disadvantages - compactness of corridors and staircases, lack of elevators, disgusting sound and heat insulation, uninsulated rooms, their small areas, overhanging ceilings. According to the project, the service life of the panels was 25 years.
It is necessary to remove partitions only those that can be demolished without harm to the structure of the house.
Brezhnevka
From the mid-60s to the early 80s, residential buildings were designed “tuned” in accordance with the introduced construction GOSTs. A garbage chute and an elevator were mandatory if we were not talking about five-story buildings. Living rooms were isolated. Kitchens were still small. The insulation is disgusting, the panel seams could come apart. In the 80s, they began to improve the layout, increasing the area of apartments and the number of floors of houses (up to 10 floors).
The best option would be to remove partitions, as this will increase the area of the room and create a very comfortable and modern studio apartment.
Monolithic
Multi-story building, variety of shapes and fast construction are the advantages of monolithic construction technology. The layouts are different. Internal partitions made of aerated concrete and gypsum blocks. The frame is monolithic. The outer wall is made of panels, bricks or foam blocks.
It is prohibited to touch load-bearing walls, ventilation and gas pipelines, as well as to locate a bathroom above a neighbor’s living room or kitchen.
Design of a one-room Khrushchev house: features of interior design
In a small one-room apartment there are few separate independent rooms. But it is their special design that gives the apartment a modern, finished look. In order to figure out how you can arrange a room and what techniques to use, let’s look at each room separately.
Kitchen Design
The kitchen space in a small apartment has the smallest dimensions. In practice, it is not possible to squeeze a stove, household appliances, work surface, refrigerator, or cupboards into these meters. Therefore, the best effect is obtained if the kitchen is combined with a room and even a corridor into a single room. In this case, the kitchen space is distinguished by its specific microclimate and there is a need for its partial separation.
Combining the kitchen with the room into a single space
The following techniques can be used as separating elements:
1. A small partition or curtain that does not reach the wall.
2. You can divide the rooms using a bar counter. It will not only highlight the kitchen, but can be used to store kitchen utensils and appliances.
Dividing the apartment space with a bar counter
3. For separation, different coverings and wallpaper can be used on the walls. If there is carpet or linoleum in the room, ceramic tiles can be used for the kitchen floor. It is permissible to cover the walls on the side of the living space with wallpaper, and use a special apron near the stove. When separating rooms, do not forget that they remain part of a single whole, which means they must be united together due to a common design style.
Zoning space using flooring
4. A stretch ceiling with a glossy surface makes the room taller.
A glossy stretch ceiling will visually increase the height of the ceiling
5. Dividing the room into zones will allow the use of several lighting sources in the room. This is necessary not only to increase the visual size, but also to create normal conditions for work and activities. In a large room, one light source will not be enough.
Zoning with light in a one-room Khrushchev house
6. In order to prevent the spread of odors of cooked products throughout the apartment, it is necessary to foresee and install a good exhaust system above the surface of the stove in advance. It is desirable that it has built-in lighting fixtures.
The given design options will help organize the space when combining the room and kitchen into a single whole. If this is technically undesirable or impossible, special techniques are used to simply expand the kitchen space:
1. Try to take up as little floor space as possible for furniture. Use hanging shelves and cabinets to place kitchen utensils and household appliances. Use a table for eating as a work desk. These techniques will help expand the space and gain several meters of free space.
Functional furniture will free up space in the kitchen
2. A good effect and visual increase in space is achieved through the use of glossy shiny surfaces of furniture facades.
Light furniture facades create the effect of a spacious room
3. The classic combination of white and black, due to the correct selection of the quantity of each color and the place for their use, creates a stylish modern interior and can visually move the cabinets away from the wall.
Monochrome kitchen design in a one-room Khrushchev building
4. Walls and furniture are well spaced using white shades used for walls and furniture. At the same time, it is better to pay attention in advance and not turn the kitchen into an area reminiscent of hospital premises. Variety is provided by bright colored spots that set the mood in the room.
Bright color accents will dilute the monochromatic kitchen space
5. Lighting installed around the perimeter of the room expands the space.
6. Wallpaper that is glued as close to the ceiling as possible increases the height of the room.
Design of a one-room Khrushchev house: sleeping area
On the scale of a small one-room apartment, it is difficult to allocate space for installing a bed, much less organize a full-fledged sleeping area. But proper rest on a high-quality orthopedic mattress is important both for recuperation and for health.
Sleeping area in a one-room Khrushchev house
When designing a one-room Khrushchev house, try to find a place for the bed and allocate a special area for it. If it is difficult to complete the work in such a small space, try to create a purely conventional division of rooms by using different but compatible patterns on the wallpaper.
Zoning the apartment space using a partition
Bathroom decoration
The bathroom in a one-room apartment is rarely large. In Khrushchev it is an example of compactness and most often the toilet is combined with the bathroom. To make the room look at least a little larger, you can try moving sanitary fixtures and gain a few extra meters.
Bathroom in a one-room Khrushchev house
A few tips will help you complete the redevelopment:
1. It is better to completely remove from the bathroom all devices and things that are not directly related to the adoption of water procedures. You should try to unload the space as much as possible and throw away everything unnecessary.
Remove everything unnecessary from the bathroom
2. The best solution for a bathroom would be to use suspended structures. They will not clutter up the floor space, and there will always be a place where furniture can be hung.
Hanging structures are an excellent solution for a small bathroom
3. For a small room, it is better not to use a bathroom; preference should be given to a shower stall.
The shower cabin does not take up much space
Bedroom behind glass
The area of this Moscow apartment is 30 sq.m. After Huge Studio designers worked on the project, the one-room Khrushchev-era apartment building became unrecognizable. Instead of a small separate kitchen, there was a space with a bar counter and a workplace, and the bedroom was hidden behind a glass partition.
The interior is built in a minimalist style, but simple forms are balanced with rich shades and wooden textures. The parquet is original - it was restored and covered with wax. Thanks to the combined tabletop, which goes from the window sill to the bar counter, the specialists managed to triple the work space.
Thanks to transparent partitions, light penetrates into the bedroom unhindered. To create privacy, you can close the existing curtains. Inside the sleeping area there is a wardrobe with glass fronts and a tall mirror: thanks to these techniques, a small space seems larger.
View the entire project “Comfortable one-room apartment in Khrushchev, 30 sq m”
Design of a one-room apartment: requirements for furniture and accessories
Most often, a room is overloaded and made cramped not by small sizes, but by an excessive amount of large-sized furniture and the presence of flashy accessories. In order to get a modern, stylish room, try using the following tips from professional designers:
1. Avoid using bulky massive furniture in the interior; it will make the space heavier. Small, lightweight designs, perhaps even folding ones, look more pleasant.
Don't clutter up the space with massive furniture
2. It is difficult to place many furniture sets in a small apartment area. Therefore, it is better to try to get by with a minimum furniture stock. When designing the interior, try to give preference to multifunctional options.
Give preference to multifunctional furniture
3. In order to rationally use space, corner furniture will be a good helper. It takes up unnecessary corner space and at the same time expands the free space inside the room.
Corner upholstered furniture in the interior of a one-room apartment
4. Hanging furniture will help keep the room uncluttered. Unusual fixed structures or shelves, due to their execution, seem lighter than they actually are. They fill the room with lightness and air. Visually, they seem to float above the floor, but at the same time free up space. This is especially true for household appliances and televisions.
Hanging furniture does not clutter the room
5. The room becomes larger if it is not overloaded with furniture and accessories. For a small room it is better not to use carpets or large posters. There is no need to clutter the space with hundreds of pillows, hang heavy curtains, or install a lot of vases or napkins. A small room with a minimum number of accessories looks better.
Interior of a one-room Khrushchev house with a minimum number of accessories
6. If there is a library in the apartment, then it is quite enough. There is no need to burden the interior with any decorating elements.
Selection of textiles and decor
Not a single apartment can live without textile elements. The most common option is curtains. Window framing should be as light and weightless as possible in order to let in as much light as possible. There cannot be several carpets on the floors at once; one by the bed or in the center is enough. If you need to make the entire surface warm, it is better to cover everything with carpet.
To make the room environment pleasant and comfortable, you should use decorative elements with care. Don't clutter up all the free space with accessories. The size of the decorative elements is also important. A large painting on a narrow section of the wall will make the lack of space even more noticeable. It is better to use open shelving to place books.
Hallway design rules
Khrushchev buildings most often do not have an entrance hall at all, or it is very small in size. That’s why you can’t easily place anything in its vastness. It’s better to avoid cabinets altogether or get by with a small, specially made wardrobe.
Sliding wardrobe in the hallway of a one-room Khrushchev house
It is preferable, as a rule, to decorate a room deprived of natural light in light colors. From furniture, use only a mirror, a bedside table and an ottoman in the interior - something that you can’t do without.
When decorating your hallway, choose light colors
The above tips show that the small space of a one-room apartment can be made modern, meeting the increased needs of the population. Of course, construction materials will be required to complete the work, and a considerable amount of work will need to be carried out. Sometimes it will be necessary to carry out a complete redevelopment of the space and completely change the furniture.
But these measures will give a good result and fill the apartment with space and comfort. The design of a one-room Khrushchev house, made according to all the rules, will completely transform the room, make it stylish, and give it a special charm. The main thing is the desire of the residents. Don't be afraid to try new design solutions and experiment. In this case, the results will amaze you.
Tips for enlarging a small apartment
Don't forget to take advantage of what modern technology offers you. Previously, everyone used TV stands. This option can be found in an interesting style even now and you can choose a cabinet to match your interior. It won’t always look good: rather, it will remind you of a relic of the post-Soviet era.
In a small room this is completely irrelevant, since hanging TVs are popular today, so it is best to fix it on a stand on the wall. This way, the design of a one-room Khrushchev apartment will be easier to perceive, and the apartment will become more spacious.
It is advisable to adhere to modern trends in everything, since the result will be compactness, convenience and functionality of the room.
Nowadays, when renovating a one-room apartment in Khrushchev, you can pick up a small refrigerator, as in the photo. In the kitchen of a small 1-room apartment, it is better to place it in the far corner from the entrance, since in any case it will be the largest item in this room.
If finances allow, you can order a horizontal refrigerator, which not only performs its intended function, but also serves as a countertop.
Renovating a one-room apartment will help you create comfort in your home. You can look at some of the options in the photo and choose the best idea for yourself, or perhaps combine several and create something of your own, unique:
In any case, in a small Khrushchev-era building, even if its size is limited to only 30 square meters. meters, it is better to do repairs with redevelopment if possible. Then it will be much more comfortable for you to live and fully relax at home after a hard day of work.
Photo gallery - design of a one-room Khrushchev house
Lighting
When planning a small apartment, it is important to understand the lighting features. A bright room seems more spacious and comfortable
Therefore, each functional area must have its own light source.
The sleeping area requires moderate and diffused light, which is achieved using an LED strip or a pair of spotlights. A table lamp is installed in the work or study area; when turned on, the rest of the room will not be illuminated. It is recommended to install a night light for the children's corner.
A spotlight, small chandeliers above the cooking counter and at the dining table are suitable for the kitchen. The corner where the stove and sink are installed is also illuminated.
