How to Save Money on Renovation in a Small Apartment: 7 Pro Tips Based on Real Example

The question that rightfully concerns most owners of small apartments is whether you can save money on finishing and furniture. Designer Tamara Kiselyova demonstrated the possibility of such savings and told us how she decorated a 22-square-meter studio for rent.

The space was supposed to be youthful, stylish, and comfortable for future tenants. In the end, both the rough and finish renovation cost the client 1.3 million rubles — and it could have been much more expensive.

Let's look at the life hacks that helped the designer fit within a tight budget.

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Layout

The fewer partitions and doors, the less expenses and more space in an apartment. That is why you should combine the kitchen and living room, dining area with a sofa and TV, etc.

Tip: Define separate parts of the living space using color, textiles, furniture, textures, or lighting.

Wall Finishing

During usage, it will definitely be necessary to adjust some parts of the wall. If wallpaper is applied, then it needs to be stripped off, primed, and replaced.

That is why you should prefer wall painting with washable paint in popular shades. In this case, only a specific part of the wall needs to be repainted.

Tip: Buy paint with high coverage ratings — that way the color will look great in two coats. If you want to accent one wall, choose wallpaper.

Flooring

When choosing floor covering, it is advisable to stick to a single material throughout all rooms except the bathroom. This can also help you get a discount and free delivery.

Tip: For budget finishing, laminate of class 33 can be used in the hallway and kitchen (joints should be sealed with laminate sealant). If apartment dimensions are limited, you can opt for ceramic granite mimicking wood, and lay heated flooring in the kitchen and bedroom. Laying ceramic granite in a pattern creates a visual effect of parquet, which is low-priced, long-lasting, and easy to maintain.

Two Types of Lighting

The number of lighting types makes renovation more expensive, as more wires and switches need to be installed.

Tip: Plan two types of lighting — 'main' and 'accent'. For main lighting, embedded spotlights and powerful surface-mounted fixtures sold in any construction supermarket will work. For accent lighting, it is better to choose an elegant pendant, floor lamp, or wall sconce on sale. A pendant will harmoniously fit above the dining area, a floor lamp near the sofa or armchair, and a wall sconce above the bed headboard.

Tiles

Budget finishing does not involve more than 2–3 tile options, and it’s better to buy several types at once — brands offer discounts on products and delivery.

Tip: Use a single tile for the floor and the area behind the bathtub/toilet in the bathroom. For variety, lay the material on the floor and walls in different shapes. Other walls can be painted with washable paint, and leftover tiles can be used for the kitchen backsplash.

Material Calculation

It is necessary to carefully verify the estimate of construction material consumption or calculate it yourself if there is no design project. To do this, measure the perimeter of the room and multiply by wall height, then subtract the area of windows and doors — that will be the wall painting area. All lacquer-paint products have a mark indicating material consumption in liters per square meter, which helps calculate the number of paint cans or wallpaper rolls.

Tip: It is recommended to purchase construction materials for finish work manually, without relying on craftsmen or designers. This gives you confidence in quality and volume of delivery, and also allows you to get a good discount from the manufacturer.

Standard Furniture

Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, and other furniture should be planned at the initial stage of renovation to avoid overpaying for non-standard sizes. Ready-made furniture is always much cheaper than custom-made furniture. Don’t forget to verify the selected furniture dimensions with the room size right at the renovation site.

Tip: Many brands offer online furniture planners that allow you to virtually arrange furniture according to the apartment size.