Before and After: How a Designer Transformed a Khrushchyovka into a Stylish Euro Apartment in Just 3 Months

A block-built house from 1964, 37 square meters with a completely outdated layout — what could possibly be done with such an apartment? But professional flipper Kseniya Shakhmatova proved that even from the most typical khrushchyovka, you can create modern and functional housing. Let's explore how to transform a Soviet apartment and how much it costs in 2024.

Main Points from the Article:

• The renovation cost $1.7 million;

• A passage room was converted into a separate bedroom;

• A full-sized wardrobe and built-in wardrobes were added;

• All utilities and windows were replaced;

• All essentials for living were placed within 37 square meters.

Why Block Construction Isn't a Death Sentence

"In panel buildings, every wall is load-bearing, but in block construction, the opposite is true — there are only stiffness axes," explains Kseniya. This provides more freedom for re-planning: there were no load-bearing walls inside the apartment. All enclosing structures are located along the perimeter.

Design: Kseniya Shakhmatova

How to Turn a Passage Room into a Full-Fledged Bedroom

The layout was, to put it mildly, strange: one room was a passage, through which you entered another. The solution was to relocate the entrance — now each room can be accessed from the kitchen-living room. Glass doors visually expand the space.

Design: Kseniya Shakhmatova

The Wardrobe Where You Don't Expect One

"We don’t have any additional storerooms or separate wardrobes," — that was the issue. The solution? Partition a part of the room to create a 3 square meter wardrobe area. It turned into a full storage space with two rows of hangers and many shelves. The cost of this solution was 130 thousand rubles.

Design: Kseniya Shakhmatova

Bathroom: From a "Sitting" Bathtub to a Full-Fledged One

One of the main challenges was the tiny bathroom. The primary issue was a Soviet-style sitting bathtub measuring 120 cm long. The solution? Rearrange the layout and install a full-size bathtub of 160 cm. Yes, it meant sacrificing 30 centimeters of living space, but it was worth it.

Design: Kseniya Shakhmatova

Kitchen-Living Room: Playing with Space

The combined kitchen and living room space was visually expanded using proper zoning. The kitchen cabinet with upper shelves 92 cm high creates the effect of built-in furniture, although it’s a standard modular kitchen. The cost was 90 thousand rubles for the cabinets and countertops.

How Much Does It Cost

"This is the largest budget in my history," admits the designer. For 37 square meters, it cost 1.7 million rubles. This included:

• Complete replacement of utilities;

• New windows;

• High-quality doors (5 units for 81,500 rubles);

• Built-in appliances;

• Furniture.

Tricks That Worked

To make the apartment look more expensive:

• The kitchen base was made 15 cm high;

• Hidden handles and push mechanisms were used;

• Floor-to-ceiling glass doors were installed;

• A single floor covering (33 class laminate) was used;

• Recessed lighting was added.

Design: Kseniya Shakhmatova

Check out the video:

Who Is This Apartment For

"I imagine a young career-driven woman," shares the designer. Although the interior turned out gender-neutral: gray tones, black-and-white accents, and modern furniture. It’s also suitable for a couple without children — after all, 37 square meters impose their own limitations.

The renovation took three months. The result is a modern, functional apartment in a good location. Yes, the budget is substantial, but every ruble invested works on comfort and ergonomic space.

Cover: Kseniya Shakhmatova's Design Project