Before and After: A New Life for 'Killed' Apartments

Based on project examples, we show that any 'killed' apartment can be transformed into cozy and comfortable living space. The key is to see its potential and call in professionals.

Two-room apartment on Kutuzovsky Prospekt

The apartment layout is typical for the late Stalinist period: a narrow corridor leads to doors to rooms, bathroom, and kitchen.

For an international family, architect Karina Zadvina from the design studio Porte Rouge played on contrast. Modern finishes and furniture combine with elements of Stalinist-era decor. Soft cool tones are paired with more expressive accents.

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Small apartment in a Stalin-era building

To create a comfortable interior in a 39 sqm apartment, designer Irina Krivtsova suggested a radical reconfiguration. Almost all partitions were removed, the bathroom was almost doubled in size, and sliding partitions were installed between the kitchen and living room. Otherwise, it's a full studio with a bedroom, office, and living room in one space. Read more

One-room apartment in a panel building

At the time of purchase, this one-room flat was no different from other flats on the secondary market — with inconvenient layout and outdated renovation. Designer Elena Markina skillfully solved the task: found a place for the bedroom where the hallway was, increased the area by using the balcony, and combined the bathrooms. In finishes and furniture, she used many mirrors, glossy surfaces, and gold metal.

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Two-room apartment in a Khrushchev-era building

In a two-room old apartment in a five-story building, it was impossible to make a reconfiguration, plus the client had a limited budget for renovation. Designer Marina Merenkova didn't panic: to accommodate everything needed, they gave up the dining table in the kitchen, placed a workspace in the bedroom, and put the washing machine under the sink. Budget finishes and classic IKEA helped save money. Read more

One-room apartment that became a two-room flat

If the area of a one-room flat is 43 sqm, there's every chance to make it more comfortable. In this typical flat, Maria Bezuglova removed old partitions and built new ones — enough space was created not only for the kitchen but also for a living room with a bedroom. To preserve natural lighting, the designer took a shortcut: removed the balcony block and designed window frames.

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