Before and After: How We Transformed the Kitchen in a Tiny Stalin-era Apartment

Designers from Nisha Buro completely renovated the kitchen in an old Stalin-era apartment. Before the renovation, this was a dark and uncomfortable space, unsuitable for modern living. Now the kitchen is a stylish and functional space with thoughtful ergonomics and storage areas.

Kitchen Before Renovation

A kitchen in an old building rarely offers comfort, and this case is no exception. Before the redesign, the space looked dull:

• Old cabinets with peeling paint did not allow efficient use of space.
• A small work surface made cooking uncomfortable.
• Bad layout cluttered the kitchen, making it seem even more cramped.
• Poor lighting made the space dark and unattractive.

The designers decided to radically change the situation and created a modern kitchen, where every detail has its place.

Kitchen After Renovation

The main change was removing the partition between the kitchen and living room. This allowed combining the spaces, making them brighter and more convenient. Furniture was arranged so that the kitchen clearly stands out but does not overwhelm the interior.

The kitchen cabinet was custom-made, taking into account the non-standard ceiling height. Now the cabinets extend up to 2.8 meters, meaning maximum storage space without unnecessary visual clutter.

Technical Solutions:

• Integrated appliances – refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, cooktop, and range hood – freed up work surfaces.
• Gas cooktop features gas control, and a dielectric insulator is installed on the pipe – this made the kitchen safeter.
• Lighting was planned down to the smallest detail: now you can change lighting scenarios depending on the situation.

Materials and Color Palette

For finishing, light and practical materials were chosen:

• Walls were painted with Tikkurila paint – it is easy to clean and resistant to moisture.
• Floor – Steinholz quartz vinyl, resistant to scratches and moisture.
• Sink and faucet – from Teka, a blend of design and durability.
• Appliances – Indesit, functional and budget-friendly.

The kitchen now looks stylish, minimalist, and modern. Light tones made the space visually larger, and thoughtful storage allowed getting rid of clutter. This is an example of how even in a small Stalin-era flat, you can create a comfortable and beautiful space without unnecessary expenses.

Full Apartment Interior Here

Light and Uncluttered Interior in a 31 m² Stalin-era One-Room Apartment