How to Transform an Old Khрущëvka on a Budget: Tips from a Decorator

Have you rented an apartment? Then you know this feeling — at first, it feels like you're just a guest. It's not surprising: the design was chosen by the owner, and furniture is arranged not for you. How to turn an anonymous flat into a cozy corner that makes you want to come back? The decorators know the answer. We learned how to transform a rental apartment with minimal effort, according to decorator Olga Smirnova.

Decorators are professionals who create stylish interiors using decor, textiles, furniture, and art objects.

Olga Smirnova
Decorator
Received artistic and design education, transformed dozens of apartments beyond recognition

Given:
Number of Rooms: 3
Area: 54 sq. m
Location: Moscow, MЦK "Koptevo"
Year of Construction: 1962
Price on Yandex.Arenda: 48,000 rubles per month

Photo: Yandex.Arenda

Step 1. Getting to Know the Apartment

First, the decorator evaluates the condition of the flat. It's convenient that you don't need to go anywhere: we studied the apartment right in Yandex.Arenda. This is a service that helps rent and sublet property online. We watched a virtual 3D tour with the decorator: it allows you to thoroughly explore the property.

"The ceilings are low, but the apartment is bright, the floors are of good quality, and there's necessary furniture. Perfect for a family with children: each family member has their own room + a common area (living room)" — Olga says.

The bedroom and wardrobe are bright with acid tones; it's better to balance them. The space can be used more efficiently: the wardrobe can be turned into a child's room to attract families with kids. Typical mistakes include old furniture and unnecessary items that create visual clutter.

Step 2. Decluttering and Cleaning

In this flat, you can refresh the furniture.

We suggest doing this: take out the old wardrobe from the wardrobe, remove stickers in the bathroom and the red stand under the microwave on the kitchen. It's also helpful to hide the plastic dish rack and household chemicals — they create visual clutter.

You can check the condition of the appliances and all light bulbs: it's better when they're all the same color. Warm white lighting works best for apartments.

"Discuss furniture removal and room redesign with the owner. If you order waste removal and cleaning, you can ask the owner to pay for everything or split the bill in half" — Olga reminds.

Here's a small checklist:

• Remove stickers and unnecessary items from surfaces. 0 rubles
  
• Take out old and unnecessary furniture. 0 rubles yourself, 1500 rubles — hire movers
  
• Do a deep clean. 0 rubles yourself, 1500 rubles — order cleaning
  
• Check light bulbs and appliances. 0 rubles
  

Pro tip: outdated furniture can be sold — if the owner agrees, you can use the proceeds for further renovation of the apartment. If there are no buyers, offer to take it away free of charge — this saves money on movers.

Step 3. Walking Through the Apartment

At this stage, we examine each room and think about how to improve it with minimal effort.

Kitchen

Photo: Yandex.Arenda

Given:

A compact, bright kitchen. The palette is restrained — a light blue apron and pink walls. The handles on the cabinet and the curtains can be refreshed, and the radiator and bright surfaces can be hidden.

What to Do:

1. Hang Roman curtains at the window. A milk-colored border with blue tiles will look cozier. 2000 rubles

2. Place plants on the windowsill to make the interior fresher. 500 rubles

Pro tip: plants can be found for free on platforms with private ads, not just bought in supermarkets or specialty stores. Don't forget about attractive planters — they also become decor elements.

3. Cover the radiator with a box. 3000 rubles

4. Add monochrome kitchen towels. 500 rubles

5. Place dishes and decor on shelves. 500 rubles

6. Remove household chemicals and bright dish sponges from visible places. 0 rubles

7. Place containers for grains on the work surface to create a sense of an inhabited apartment. 500 rubles

Living Room

Photo: Yandex.Arenda

Given:

Furniture from the Soviet era that can be made more interesting. Let's try to add a focal point and unifying element in the design — for example, a carpet. You can also update the curtains and think about suitable decor.

What to Do:

1. Get rid of old furniture. 0 rubles

2. Add sheer curtains without a pattern — the blue color fits well here. 1000 rubles

3. Partially repaint the Soviet furniture. (material cost)

Pro tip: you don't need to hire professionals for painting — you can do it yourself with YouTube tutorials. It will cost much less and give you valuable experience, after which it won't be scary to repaint the kitchen cabinet.

4. Buy a carpet — this will set contrast in the interior. 5000 rubles

5. Hang a poster on the wall to liven up the space. 500 rubles

6. Place modern armchairs and a coffee table. 10,000 rubles

7. Place floor planters. 500 rubles

Bedroom

Photo: Yandex.Arenda

Given:

Walls in acid tones should be balanced, and decor added, with fresh bed linens and textiles.

What to Do:

1. Hang powder-blue curtains to calm the bright wall color. 2000 rubles

2. Hang a poster above the headboard. 500 rubles

Pro tip: posters, mirrors, and other interior items can be found on websites with second-hand goods — often they sell items in excellent condition at affordable prices.

3. Place a mirror above one dresser to create a vanity table. 500 rubles

4. Put a vase with dried flowers on the second dresser. 500 rubles

5. Place an aromadiffuser. 500 rubles

6. Put a blanket and pillows on the bed — choose textiles to match the wall color. 2000 rubles

Wardrobe (Children's Room)

Photo: Yandex.Arenda

Given:

A whole room is dedicated to the wardrobe: the space is little used, and there are a wardrobe and a shelf system with hangers. Olga suggests turning the space into a children's room.

What to Do:

1. Remove old furniture. 0 rubles

2. Install a full wardrobe with doors in place of the removed system. 6000 rubles

3. Place storage boxes on the shelves. 1000 rubles

4. Place a 120x90 cm bed. 5000 rubles

Pro tip: instead of a soft-headed bed, you can buy wooden furniture — it costs much less and looks just as good in the interior. Ensure that the color matches other furniture in the room.

5. Change the window textiles — dense curtains of an ochre color are needed. 3000 rubles

6. Buy a carpet — preferably with a pattern to add an accent. 5000 rubles

7. Place a desk and an orthopedic chair by the window. 10,000 rubles

8. Buy a beanbag chair. 2000 rubles

Bathroom

Photo: Yandex.Arenda

Given:

The space can be revitalized in several steps: add new textiles, remove stickers on the wall to reduce visual clutter, change the tile and wall colors to match the rest of the apartment, add an accent mirror.

What to Do:

1. Repaint the walls and floor. Take into account the material of the tiles, choose colors from the apartment's palette. (material cost)

2. Remove stickers on the wall and the red brush. 0 rubles

3. Hang a stylish curtain in tone with the color palette. 500 rubles

4. Change the mirror. 1000 rubles

"As you can see, from a typical run-down flat, it's really possible to make a dream apartment. Yes, serious renovations require investment, but everything is negotiable — owners often make compromises because updated walls and furniture in the future increase property value," — Olga concluded.

The scale of transformation always remains at your discretion: someone might want to repaint all the walls, while others will be satisfied with throwing out old furniture. If you just want to create a cozy atmosphere in the apartment, even small changes — decor, plants, and textiles — are enough.