10 Cool Solutions We Spotted in a Transformed Khrushchyovka

Our heroine Ekaterina, together with her husband, transformed a Khrushchyovka in Krasnodar into something unrecognizable: the renovation took three years and 325,000 rubles using their own resources. The interior turned out with character and love for retro—stylish, thoughtfully designed, and original. If you're planning a renovation, we're here to help: we've collected ideas worth adopting.

Use authentic details as a base

Inspiration can come even from a "grandmother's" renovation: for Ekaterina, the style of her apartment was determined by Czechoslovak furniture from 1967 and authentic elements—wooden doors, the familiar light window between the kitchen and bathroom, and flue caps (which were, by the way, preserved and restored).

Let’s take a specific example: one of the defining features of the kitchen design was a refrigerator Orsk 1964, which our heroine painted. The bedroom design started with a painting made by her daughter and a budget bed from Avito. Therefore, choosing wall colors to complement the decor (rather than the other way around) is a viable approach.

Build a wall of glass blocks

We’ve already mentioned the window between the kitchen and bathroom: there were no glass blocks initially, but they were later purchased on Avito—this also defined the kitchen design. You can adopt this idea if you want to keep retro touches of Khrushchyovka without building a wall.

Notice how the glass blocks look harmoniously from both sides of the bathroom and kitchen, adding a supplementary texture to the space without stealing too much attention.

Play with typical solutions

Ekaterina cleaned one wall of the kitchen herself, removing about 1.5 cm of plaster, coating it with lacquer, and painting the rest in a retro style (after applying a fresh layer of plaster).

The Soviet tiles on the wall were bought by our heroine herself: again Avito, 1,000 rubles for 10 square meters. The typical solution we’ve seen hundreds of times in Soviet apartments now looks organic and stylish—thanks to proper decor and materials.

Don’t fear dark colors

Many people avoid using dark tones on the kitchen—black and gray supposedly make the space feel heavier. But Ekaterina proved that a proper color combination looks stunning, and dark LDF doors are an investment in practicality.

This furniture is made in a graphite stone shade—no fingerprints or water droplet marks remain on the doors.

Look for decor beyond regular stores

Some items on the kitchen table were bought at flea markets: lamps, trays, and a radio were found there. There is even a real Tula samovar—Ekaterina got it from her grandmother. It's notable that century-old patches coexist with black lights from AliExpress—without knowing, it’s hard to tell.

If you're also creating a retro-style apartment, minimalist Scandinavian decor likely won't give it the right vibe. Reach out to relatives and don’t hesitate to go to markets and bazaars—your "diamonds" will surely be found there.

Experiment with shades and textures

We’ve already mentioned that the bedroom design was set by a painting and a bed. Ekaterina decided that black would be the best background for wood and art objects—this created an accent wall behind the headboard.

She didn’t level the walls and ceiling: Ekaterina prioritized the effect of old walls with historical irregularities. The solution was to simply paint the surfaces with Marshall’s washable paint. By the way, in the living room, she chose an unconventional approach—painting the windows black and hanging black curtains. This added energy to a bright interior.

Make a vanity table yourself

This idea you’ve probably seen before. Ekaterina and her husband made a cosmetic table themselves from steel—purchased for 1,000 rubles at a metal base. The countertop was made from floor planks.

The chair from the Polish furniture set “Yuriy” 1967 was reupholstered with new foam and velour—this created a perfect zone for personal care.

Use space rationally

For example, Ekaterina opted out of a wardrobe in the hallway in favor of a closet—she decorated it instead of a useless corridor. If you understand that space won’t be used productively, give it a new role—this simple tip is often forgotten.

By the way, a closet can be hidden not behind a wall or door but behind a curtain—this makes it feel lighter and airier.

Integrate art objects into the interior

Our heroine created a whole improvised art gallery—works by her daughter hang in the living room, framed and bought on a flea market for a few rubles.

Also, let’s recall the painting in the bedroom. Moreover, her art objects also decorate the bathroom.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Ekaterina gave our readers a great tip: any flaw in renovation can be fixed, and if it doesn’t work out—turn the mistake into a feature. Experiment, don’t be afraid to paint cupboards, disassemble furniture, or invent new functions for it—creative processes can spark genius solutions.