How to Make a Great Renovation and Save Money: 5 Life Hacks

Designer Pavel Foteev specializes in stylish renovations of secondary housing—mainly Khrushchyovkas. From a 'killed' apartment, he creates a stylish and comfortable interior with many affordable yet impactful details. We decided to compile his most interesting tips for budget-friendly renovation.

Remove the finish down to the brick and paint over it

One way to save on wall finishing is not to overcomplicate surface leveling, but clean it down to the original brick and paint it. The color and decorative finish depend on your imagination. The most universal option is white monochrome walls.

Design: Pavel Foteev

If you want to create a loft atmosphere, bet on red brick with wide textured joints. But keep in mind that you'll need to 'work magic' with paint shades and layers. Pavel Foteev in this case relies on decorator Sasha Mershiev.

Design: Pavel Foteev

Another option for brick wall finishing is to create an effect as if red brick peeks through a layer of white paint. Looks stylish and interesting.

Design: Pavel Foteev

Make a table from the windowsill

One of Pavel Foteev's favorite tricks is using a windowsill as a table. First, this saves space since part of the tabletop lies on the window opening. Second, to make such a table you only need a furniture panel and two legs—all of this is sold in any construction store. Third, you can adjust the depth of the tabletop yourself—you can make it narrow enough so that only a laptop fits.

Design: Pavel Foteev

Or you can increase the depth and use the windowsill as a bar counter for snacks and breakfast by the window. A simple solution, but it looks really cool.

Design: Pavel Foteev

Hide the washing machine under the countertop

It's not necessary to spend a lot of money and order custom cabinets and wardrobes for bathroom setup. There's nothing wrong with open storage. A regular washing machine is cheaper than a built-in model of the same type. Instead of a cabinet under the sink, you can use a furniture panel—installing such a countertop is very easy.

Space under the sink can also remain uncovered with facades, and instead place attractive laundry baskets in the niche.

Turn a chair into storage space

From practical and yet stylish decor that Pavel Foteev uses—chairs that look like they are half-hidden in the wall. They serve as hangers—don't we all love to leave things on chairs?

Design: Pavel Foteev

Design: Pavel Foteev

Buy a bed frame and come up with a cool headboard

In his projects, Pavel Foteev proves that it's not necessary to have a big budget for renovation to create something unusual and non-standard. You don't need to buy an expensive bed with a headboard, but make it yourself. For this, you only need the most ordinary mattress frame and then unleash your imagination. In one project, Pavel Foteev made a headboard from an old, weathered door.

Design: Pavel Foteev

In another—made from wooden panels and rattan.

Design: Pavel Foteev

For one bedroom, he ordered a headboard from slab wood—against a concrete wall it looks really cool.