How to Arrange a Tiny Kitchen in a Khrushchyovka: 5 Successful Examples

A typical kitchen in a khrushchyovka is small, measuring only 5–6 sq. m. Arranging a comfortable and functional space on such a small area is a challenging but achievable task. We show which ideas designers use and what the result looks like.

Functional Kitchen with a Bar Counter

Designer Lana Alexandrova completely renovated a small kitchen in a two-room apartment for her mother. The entrance to the kitchen was moved into the living room, which allowed making a spacious kitchen cabinet and expanding the bathroom.

Photo: Lana Alexandrova's design project

The kitchen cabinet was made corner-shaped. The upper cabinets are only on one wall—they barely show from the living room, which makes the kitchen look more spacious and less cluttered. Another functional solution is a full-height cabinet for storing food and appliances. A built-in refrigerator was placed nearby.

Photo: Lana Alexandrova's design project

The quartz aggregate countertop was extended onto the windowsill — creating a spot for snacks and working on a laptop. A special hole was made in the countertop to let warm air from the radiator out.

The backsplash was tiled with "hog" tiles in an unusual "fir tree" layout. The ceiling and the ductwork were painted. The floor features light tiles with a pattern matching the kitchen fronts.

Photo: Lana Alexandrova's design project

Vibrant Kitchen with Vintage Elements

To play up the tiny kitchen and turn it into a functional space, it was merged with the living room. The entrance is in the form of a wide portal in wine color. The dining area was moved into the living room, which allowed placing a spacious cabinet and necessary appliances on 5 sq. m.

Photo: Olga Shtennikova's design project

The kitchen is in bright tones but minimalist style — without handles, panels, and other decorative elements. All appliances are hidden behind cabinet fronts in a wall niche on the right: there's a dishwasher, built-in refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, and boiler. Hanging cabinets above the work area were omitted. For dish storage, a pull-out cabinet was placed near the window and space in a pen for the refrigerator.

Photo: Olga Shtennikova's design project

The granite countertop smoothly transitions into the wall. The backsplash was finished with volumetric tiles of small format, and other walls were painted in a light shade. In addition to general lighting above the work area, two hanging lights are installed.

The windowsill was made from the same material as the kitchen countertop. The radiator is covered with a panel in the color of the kitchen fronts. The window frame was painted in the same shade, and standard handles were replaced with metallic ones in retro style.

Photo: Olga Shtennikova's design project

Comfortable Kitchen with Budget Renovation

This apartment was decorated by designer Maria Sokolova for sale. They did without re-planning and opted for practical but budget-friendly solutions. Washable paint was used on the walls, ceramic granite on the floor and backsplash.

Photo: Maria Sokolova's design project

The kitchen is small, so a compact linear cabinet was chosen. The upper fronts are light to visually blend with the finish and not overload the space. A plug was installed between the kitchen and the wall to ensure all drawers open freely, but also close an unattractive gap.

Photo: Maria Sokolova's design project

The kitchen has a 3-burner gas stove, built-in oven, dishwasher width of 45 centimeters and a standalone refrigerator placed at the entrance to the kitchen. For the dining area, a small glass table was selected — it takes up little space and looks visually light. Above the table, an accent hanging lamp that echoes in color with the lower cabinet drawers.

Photo: Maria Sokolova's design project

Unusual Kitchen with a Double-Row Layout

Even though the kitchen is only 4.9 sq. m, they refrained from re-planning in the apartment. The original door opening was sealed and the entrance moved into the living room, installing a sliding panel door. The door rolls into the wall and doesn't take up space. However, it provides better sound insulation and airtightness than sliding doors or glass partitions.

Photo: Galina Ovchinnikova's design project

Instead of traditional corner or linear cabinets for khrushchyovkas, a double-row layout was used. On one side, upper and lower cabinets with a sink, oven, and refrigerator were installed. On the other side — a cabinet with a gas stove and a work surface that also serves as a half-bar counter. The kitchen is modular, chosen to fit the required size of the room. The cabinet is made from HDF with a film, and the countertop — from moisture-resistant LDF covered with a film.

Photo: Galina Ovchinnikova's design project

The accent feature of the interior is the backsplash, window openings and sills finished with bright ceramic granite terrazzo. Neutral gray paint was used for the rest of the finish. For comfort, a roll bamboo curtain and half-bar stools in yellow upholstery were selected.

Photo: Galina Ovchinnikova's design project

Light Kitchen with a Spacious Storage System

The kitchen in the three-room khrushchyovka was not merged, but a maximally open layout was chosen. The opening was enlarged and a sliding glass partition in an aluminum profile was installed instead of the internal door. Walls were painted with washable paint, a backsplash was laid with accent tiles, and the floor features patterned tiles laid out like a beautiful carpet.

Photo: Olga Pushkarева's design project

For greater functionality and increased work surface, the cabinet was made L-shaped. The kitchen has a 45 cm dishwasher, 4-burner gas stove, oven, exhaust hood, microwave, and a standalone refrigerator.

Photo: Olga Pushkarева's design project

The kitchen countertop was extended onto the windowsill and along the wall. This allowed organizing a convenient spot for quick breakfasts and snacks, as well as an additional cabinet and space for storing appliances. For beautiful dishes, a hanging display cabinet was designed.

Photo: Olga Pushkarева's design project