Repair Without a Designer: 4 Inspiring Interiors

We present a fantastic collection of apartments that our heroes transformed without a designer. They planned the layout, design, and decoration themselves — and they did it beautifully!

Creative renovation from scratch in a 63 m² old Soviet apartment

Graphic and object designer, blogger, and a twice-mother Ksenia Leonova lives in this three-room apartment with her children and husband. The cozy space was created from scratch: the old housing required a complete renovation, starting with the floor and windows. They replaced all the engineering systems, demolished some walls, merged the living room with the corridor, relocated the entrance to the kitchen, and legalized the reconfiguration. As a result, they got a kitchen, dining-living room, bedroom, children's room, balcony office, and a combined bathroom.

Insight came from Scandinavian minimalism, and later Anglo-French chic — ultimately creating one style based on another. The interior harmoniously blends vintage furniture and decor with modern elements, making the atmosphere truly unique and distinctive. The most beloved spot in the house became the dining area with a beautifully set table, comfortable chairs, and a crystal chandelier. When direct sunlight hits it, the entire living room sparkles with rainbow reflections.

Stunning 60s-style renovation in a Soviet 51 m² flat

Ksenia completely transformed this two-room apartment and designed a cozy ergonomic space “for herself.” She based it on modern style with vintage flair, inspired by 60s interior trends. There are no load-bearing walls in the apartment, which allowed a complete “redesign” of the layout, turning it into a long hallway. On the small kitchen, emphasis was placed on functionality and convenience. Every detail is thought out to perfection: an angular spacious cabinet, a narrow shelf for indoor plants, a windowsill half-bar table for quick breakfasts and snacks.

The highlight of the interior were the sliding glass doors to the kitchen and bedroom — they feature non-standard width panels. In the living room, three cozy zones were created: dining area, sofa group with TV, and a relaxation spot. The main accent was the bright yellow armchair, surrounded by vintage items — a “Rigonda” radio and Soviet music. They add nostalgia and special charm to the atmosphere. The bedroom featured an office that reminds of the interiors in Soviet intelligentsia apartments.

Beautiful and functional solutions in a bright 40 m² two-room flat

For journalist Elena Burlova, one of the defining factors in purchasing this two-room Soviet flat was the magnificent view from the windows onto the park and the temple. The capital renovation touched everything: from finishing to small details in the interior. The main living space was enlarged by using the corridor, the entrance was moved to the kitchen and bedroom, the bathroom and toilet were combined into a shared bathroom, and a walk-in closet was added to the bedroom.

The size of the largest room allowed for dividing the space into a cozy sleeping area, a workspace, and a full-sized wardrobe with various contents: rails, a dresser, a cabinet, and open shelves. Each room has several lighting scenarios, making the atmosphere incredibly warm and cozy. The interior's highlights were bird-shaped lamps in the living room and bedroom.

Budget renovation in a panel 42 m² one-room flat

Blogger and artist Dasha Titova arranged this one-room apartment together with her husband. The apartment used budget-friendly solutions that helped beautifully update the interior without significant costs. The first step was repainting the cabinet fronts. Upper cabinets were removed, visually expanding the space and adding lightness. The exhaust fan was not hidden but made a focal point by wrapping its housing with aluminum tape. This simple and cheap step cost only 60 rubles, while the entire kitchen update was around 11 thousand rubles.

Space was efficiently organized in the room, creating two work zones and a bedroom. Behind a screen, a cozy “cinema” zone was set up with a compact sofa and TV. The apartment is full of homemade items and authentic pieces that were given a second life. This adds an unrepeatable charm and warmth to the space, making it special and memorable.

As you can see, it’s possible to create a beautiful and stylish interior without the help of a designer if you use your own inspiration and creativity. The key is to define your style, carefully approach color, furniture, and accessories choices, and don’t be afraid to experiment.