How to Transform a Tight Kitchen into the Heart of the Home: The Story of a 9-Meter Stalin-era Kitchen Renovation

When designer Olesya bought a flat in a Stalin-era building in the center of Moscow, she had no idea what surprises awaited her. 65 square meters with high ceilings and... a floor packed with coal slag. But that didn't stop her from creating her dream home.

Main points from the article:

• The apartment is 65 sq. m and located in a Stalin-era building in the center of Moscow;
• The renovation lasted half a year and started with full demolition, including the floor;
• The kitchen is connected to the living room, with a total area of 28 sq. m;
• Non-standard solutions were used for storage and decoration;
• A vibrant blue color became the accent in the kitchen interior;
• Six years after the renovation, the kitchen remains functional and stylish.

Room tour: Why Stalin-era buildings?

"We were specifically looking for an apartment in old housing stock, because the quality of construction is much better than in new developments," explains Olesya. High ceilings of 2.90 meters and a view of blooming pear trees from the window were decisive factors in her choice.

How to Turn Two Rooms into One?

Originally, the kitchen was a separate room. "It used to be just a big hall that we later connected with the kitchen," Olesya explains. Now, the combined area of the kitchen and living room is 28 sq. m, with about 9 sq. m dedicated to the kitchen zone.

Is Blue Bold or Stylish?

"We decided to paint the focal wall in a bold blue contrast color. I really love this color. I enjoy unexpected and non-standard solutions," shares the designer. And this decision paid off: "I haven't gotten tired of it in 5 years."

How to Organize Storage in a Small Kitchen?

Olesya chose a two-level cabinet system. "Our kitchen is two-level. Since the apartment isn't very big, but I wanted to create functional storage spaces and have as many as possible, it was decided to make them right up to the ceiling," she explains.

The lower cabinets are equipped with pull-out drawers instead of regular doors. "Here we keep dishes for cooking, it's convenient - right under the cooktop. Tableware and utensils for food preparation," Olesya shows.

How to Choose Appliances for a Small Kitchen?

Olesya carefully selected the appliances. "The extractor hood is 52 cm wide and almost invisible because of its flat panel. It's a model from the brand Ecor, very powerful and excellent at handling all kinds of steam and odors from cooking," she explains.

An interesting solution is a hidden microwave. "We decided not to make the microwave built-in but instead hide it behind a facade panel. It fits perfectly here," Olesya shares.

How to Create a Cozy Dining Area?

Despite the small size, Olesya managed to create a comfortable dining area. "The dining zone is one of my favorite spots in this apartment. I really love having breakfast here and drinking tea in peace in the evening," she tells.

The table is foldable, allowing for guests to be accommodated. "In normal life, the table is always folded and seats four people. When guests come over, we unfold it so everyone has space at the table," Olesya explains.

How to Keep the Kitchen in Perfect Condition?

Six years after the renovation, Olesya's kitchen still looks new. The secret? "It’s all this storage system, tidiness, and treating things with care that helped us keep our apartment's interior as fresh and relevant as it is now," Olesya shares.

Olesya’s kitchen story shows that even a small space can be transformed into a functional and stylish room. The key is to organize storage well, not fear bright colors, and choose quality materials. When done right, your kitchen will delight you for many years to come, becoming the true heart of your home.