Design Battle: Studio for a Couple with a Cat

Together with Leroy Merlin, we asked Marina Pod'yacheva and Maria Lazich to develop furniture arrangement options for a room in a panel studio — so that it's comfortable to relax with a book or in front of the TV and sleep. Which designer do you think did a better job?

Designers' brief: Room 19 sq. m in a studio of 40 sq. m Owners Cold couple with a cat, love hosting guestsWishes Living room and bedroom in one roomRoom layout of 19 sq. m in a single-room apartment of 40.3 sq. m in a panel house series P-44T

Marina Pod'yacheva's solution

Marina Pod'yacheva, designer. Designer-architect, head of NewArchForm studio

About the layout

We portrayed the characters as a young creative couple who loves old Hollywood films, and maybe even works in the film industry.

Instead of a bed, there's a podium with storage and a mattress. The sleeping area can be easily isolated using a foldable glass partition if needed. Next to the podium is a workspace with bookshelves. A sofa-bed will accommodate guests who want to stay longer, and a bar on the balcony is perfect for hosting cocktail parties.

The room features different lighting scenarios: powerful track ceiling lights for general illumination, under-shelf lighting for romantic atmosphere or movie watching, wall sconces near the headboard for reading before sleep, and blinking signs of street signs for evening with friends. You can achieve a unique effect by turning on lights behind closed curtains of a glass cube.

About the stylistic approach

We wanted to create a space where it's cozy and convenient to live. Loft was chosen not by accident. It attracted us not only for its timelessness but also because it allows easy interior changes without losing overall style. You can replace the sofa, dresser, hang different curtains or spotlights on tracks, repaint the walls — the space adapts to your mood.

For the fluffy pet, a cat, we provided a universal shelving unit — a construction made of several sections. If the cat’s claws touch the leather sofa, the style of old American loft will only be more pronounced. Looking at this interior, one wants to put a vinyl record on the turntable, dim the lights and spend the evening as comfortably as possible.

You will need:

Decorative tiles, Leroy Merlin

Lighting fixture, Leroy Merlin

Matching paint, Leroy Merlin

Solid wood planks, Leroy Merlin

Rug, Leroy Merlin

Wood, Leroy Merlin

Roller curtain, Leroy Merlin

Decorative pillow, Leroy Merlin

Maria Lazich's solution

Maria Lazich, designer. General Director of MaryArt Design Studio in Moscow

About the layout

The room has several zones: living room and bedroom, workspace, storage systems. A comfortable pull-out sofa was chosen as the sleeping place: when unfolded, it becomes a standard bed 160×200 cm. This solution saves space but allows combining two zones and not occupying useful area.

One wall is taken up by a spacious wardrobe-closet. It's impossible to do without it since in a single-room apartment, it becomes the only place for storing belongings. The TV zone is combined with the desk area. It turned out spacious yet functional.

About the stylistic approach

As often happens, the idea of interior design is born from one striking detail. Here it was a Leroy Merlin poster with a ship. Around it, the interior was built with nautical motifs.

The basic color palette is light and unobtrusive. Part of the wall was painted in a dark water tone, complemented by strips one shade lighter. The accent wall adds dynamism to the space, just like bright details: a chair, sofa cushions and curtains.

You will need:

Rug, Leroy Merlin

Chandelier, Leroy Merlin

Ceiling light, Leroy Merlin

Decorative mirror, Leroy Merlin

Wardrobe door, Leroy Merlin

Curtain, Leroy Merlin

Painting, Leroy Merlin

Decorative pillow, Leroy Merlin

Cover: Design project by Alexandra Ermilova