How to Stylishly and Affordable Update an Outdated Interior: 8 Ideas

Designer Katerina Chistova renovated a studio in a Stalin-era building. The 'killed' apartment was transformed into comfortable housing for rent using affordable design techniques. Take note.

Doors with Glass Inserts

Doors that let in light are an excellent solution to make a flat brighter and let light into the entrance area. In this Stalin-era apartment, they installed ornate double-doors with windows and glass inserts with facets. Even more modest-sized door models will definitely transform the interior.

Mirror Wall

A wardrobe in the hallway is found in almost every apartment. However, it's mirror facades that create an effect of expanding space — very relevant for small spaces. If you don't like built-in wardrobes, replace them with hinged ones with mirror panels. If you don't need a wardrobe at all, hang a large mirror on that wall — the effect will be the same.

Ceiling with Coffered Design

If you have a flat with load-bearing beams on the ceiling, there's no need to cover them up. The load-bearing beam located across the corridor can be extended and a beautiful ceiling with coffered design made.

Compare Before and After: Unusual Decoration

The simplest finish — paint and laminate — can be played with to create an interior that you want to look at closely. Use unusual decoration and details for this purpose. For example, in this living room, a Cameroon feather hat immediately catches the eye, and the elegant frame of the chandelier resembles a bird cage. Prints of retro covers of the French magazine La Baïonnette were hung above the working area.

Accent Finish

Vibrant wallpaper in the headboard is a popular technique if you want to make the bedroom interior more interesting. But it's important not to leave them without 'companions': here, the designer added colorful pillows and curtains made from simple monochrome fabric decorated with green stripes — a simple but effective solution.

New Life for Old Items

The crystal chandelier above the bed deserves special attention: it had been sitting in the attic for more than 30 years before finding a new life. 'I painted its frame turquoise, and the client fixed the old wiring themselves,' says Katerina Chistova.

Combination of Cage and Plant Motifs

A cage is quite an unusual ornament for a kitchen interior. Nevertheless, it helps create a cozier, more homey and domestic atmosphere. An unexpected match for the cage in this interior are decorative plates with patterns and a Roman curtain with lemons and pomegranates based on William Morris's sketches. He believed that nature is the best source of inspiration. This combination is worth noting.

Unusual Wallpaper in the Bathroom

Imagine if these wallpapers were monochrome or had barely visible patterns — the effect would be completely different. More precisely, there would be no effect at all. Don't be afraid to use unconventional solutions, bright colors, and exotic patterns in finishing — it's exactly these that distinguish a regular renovation from a designer one.