How Smart Planning Can Nearly Double Apartment Area

We selected the top-5 apartments where Russian designers managed to significantly increase living space. And not always at the expense of ceiling height. Let's take a look!

36 m² Apartment: Irina Bogatykova's Club Project

A small 36 m² rectangular apartment with only one window was transformed by a designer into an impressive two-level flat.

It turned out that the technical room under the apartment was intended for ventilation equipment. But most of it was empty. Owners managed to get permission to use it and nearly double their apartment's area!

View the full project

39 m² Apartment: Buro5 Project

Architect Boris Denisюk realized his long-time dream—living in a mansard. To do this, he moved into a small apartment that allowed him to realize this idea. The geometry of the space with a sloped ceiling suggested the interior style.

First, Buro5 architects cleared space—a 9-meter kitchen, hallway with a corridor of 8.3 m², balcony, and bathroom. This resulted in about 25 square meters with a ceiling that rises upward near the entrance, as well as a small isolated bedroom.

View the full project

45 m² Apartment: Daria Vasylko's Project

Initially, architect Daria Vasylko had a studio of 45 m² with high ceilings around 6 meters. Of course, she used that height and added a console floor in the studio.

This architectural solution allowed nearly doubling the apartment area!

View the full project

150 m² Apartment: Natalie Katsutsевич's Project

In this wonderful apartment in central St. Petersburg, the ceilings were originally 4 meters high. They were lowered, and the height was used for installing a supply-exhaust ventilation system.

Instead, two children's rooms on the mezzanine were made into play zones connected by a passage. Storage spaces were also designed in the stairs to the second floor.

View the full project

96 m² Apartment: Elena Markina's Project

The simplest solution that can increase apartment area—is joining a balcony or loggia.

Designer Elena Markina did exactly that. In her three-bedroom apartment project, she extended the balconies into rooms where additional relaxation and play zones were placed.

View the full project