Design of a One-Room Apartment-Flat. In Tight Spaces, But Not in Anger

Photo 1 — Layout of a One-Room Apartment-Flat

It's quite difficult to make the interior of a one-room Khrushchyovka practical, as on 17 square meters of living space (excluding the hallway, kitchen and bathroom) zones for work, rest and sleep must fit. A rational solution is to combine zones by purchasing modular furniture or...

Option 1: Utilize the Balcony

Even though such a “bicycle move” won't add more than 4 square meters to your space, for a Khrushchyovka flat, 4 square meters is already something. By glazing and insulating the balcony, confidently remove the window opening and balcony door, clear out all accumulated clutter, and begin renovation. On a balcony that is rarely wider than 1.3 meters, you can place a bookshelf, workspace, or even two on both sides of the passage.

For example:

Photo 2 — Workspace on the Balcony

Photo 3 — Bookshelf on the Balcony of a Khrushchyovka

Additionally, you can move the relaxation area to the same balcony:

Photo 4 — Relaxation Area on the Balcony

Shelves for books, plants or favorite decorative items can also be placed in the window opening: this way you won’t block the flow of light into the room and will make use of the space that was previously occupied by the window.

Photo 5 — Shelves Instead of a Window — A Practical and Feasible Solution Even Without Professional Help

Option 2: Modular Furniture — Our Everything

So, we’ve successfully placed one of the zones on the balcony. However, the arrangement of furniture for the bedroom and living room remains an open question.

To save space, use foldable soft furniture. In real life, there's nothing awkward or uncomfortable about folding a sofa. When furnishing the room with just one sleeping area, it's good to have a cotton or, in the worst case, an inflatable mattress for guests stored in the closet.

Photo 6 — A Comfortable Sofa During the Day, a Soft Bed at Night

Option 3: Say Goodbye to Partitions

If you live alone or with a partner in a Khrushchyovka flat, and children, grandchildren and guests are only seasonal visitors, confidently demolish walls to merge rooms. You won't gain much more area by removing walls (on average, wall width is between 120-250 mm), but the visible space in your flat will definitely increase!

It's much easier to arrange all necessary furniture for comfortable living in a studio apartment.

If you're concerned about the isolation of the sleeping area, worrying whether your sleep will be disturbed in a room without partitions, place a small screen or false wall between zones, and your sweet dreams will definitely be guaranteed. For example:

Photo 7 — A Small, Yet Functional Partition to Separate the Private Zone from the Public Zone — Bedroom from Working Area

You can also do without partitions, screens, and curtains: simply position the sleeping area and living room