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Before and After: How to Transform a Soviet Kitchen into a Dream Space (Without Going Bankrupt)

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A flat that fully meets the owner's needs and delights the eye

A typical kitchen in a building of series SM-3 from 1961 was transformed into a cozy space with a French accent. The flat owner did the renovation without a designer, keeping the gas stove and finding unconventional solutions for storage. The story of how to create a functional space from an ordinary layout, where there are no useless centimeters.

Photo: style , Kitchen and dining room, Apartment, Room interior, Interior design, Renovation, kitchen renovation, how to decorate a kitchen interior, kitchen interior, DIY renovation, design in Stalinist apartment, Stalinist flat, Stalinist renovation, kitchen in Stalinist apartment, remodeling a standard flat, kitchen design in Stalinist apartment, kitchen renovation in Stalinist apartment, design in Stalinist – photo on our siteAgnettaAgnetta, the flat owner
Main points from the article:

  • Renovation in a standard secondary flat with gas retention;

  • French doors instead of a solid partition;

  • Sill merged with the countertop;

  • Thoughtful storage systems from floor to ceiling.
When a gas stove is not a design killer
"According to technical requirements, a kitchen must have a door partition," explains the owner. Instead of installing a solid door, they chose French doors with glass inserts. They not only meet safety requirements but also let light through.

They hid the gas pipe in a decorative box. The solution isn’t ideal from a design perspective, but it’s practical — the pipe goes into the far corner and is almost invisible against the overall background.

Photo: style , Kitchen and dining room, Apartment, Room interior, Interior design, Renovation, kitchen renovation, how to decorate a kitchen interior, kitchen interior, DIY renovation, design in Stalinist apartment, Stalinist flat, Stalinist renovation, kitchen in Stalinist apartment, remodeling a standard flat, kitchen design in Stalinist apartment, kitchen renovation in Stalinist apartment, design in Stalinist – photo on our siteHow to Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger
The main trick is playing with light. The standard sill block was replaced with a panoramic window with French shutters. The countertop continues the same line as the sill, visually expanding the space.

Lighting was thought out to the smallest detail:

  • Main light — recessed lights along the perimeter;

  • Work area is additionally lit;

  • Underlighting built into the hood;

  • Glass doors let light from the living room in.

Photo: style , Kitchen and dining room, Apartment, Room interior, Interior design, Renovation, kitchen renovation, how to decorate a kitchen interior, kitchen interior, DIY renovation, design in Stalinist apartment, Stalinist flat, Stalinist renovation, kitchen in Stalinist apartment, remodeling a standard flat, kitchen design in Stalinist apartment, kitchen renovation in Stalinist apartment, design in Stalinist – photo on our siteStorage: When Every Centimeter Counts
"There's enough storage space here — the hood is built-in, there's room for tea, coffee, containers," shows the owner. Upper cabinets go to the ceiling, using maximum height. Glasses are placed on rails — this freed up space in cabinets and created a decorative element.

In lower cabinets, they installed slide-out systems. Even a compact round table turned out to be a good solution — three people can sit comfortably, and additional chairs can be added if needed.

Photo: style , Kitchen and dining room, Apartment, Room interior, Interior design, Renovation, kitchen renovation, how to decorate a kitchen interior, kitchen interior, DIY renovation, design in Stalinist apartment, Stalinist flat, Stalinist renovation, kitchen in Stalinist apartment, remodeling a standard flat, kitchen design in Stalinist apartment, kitchen renovation in Stalinist apartment, design in Stalinist – photo on our siteWhere We Saved (and Regretted)
The main mistake was choosing a budget white countertop. "It's cheap, and of course tea stains remain on it — I have to clean it with bleach," admits the owner. Next time, she would choose artificial stone.

However, basic appliances turned out to be a good investment:

  • Two-burner stove ("one person is enough");

  • Full-size oven for baking;

  • Built-in hood with lighting.

Details That Work Together
The kitchen looks cohesive thanks to the well-thought-out color scheme:

  • Cappuccino-colored cabinets harmonize with the appliances;

  • The cooktop and oven are selected in a unified palette;

  • A large-format tile backsplash is easier to maintain than trendy mosaic.

Photo: style , Kitchen and dining room, Apartment, Room interior, Interior design, Renovation, kitchen renovation, how to decorate a kitchen interior, kitchen interior, DIY renovation, design in Stalinist apartment, Stalinist flat, Stalinist renovation, kitchen in Stalinist apartment, remodeling a standard flat, kitchen design in Stalinist apartment, kitchen renovation in Stalinist apartment, design in Stalinist – photo on our siteWhat to Consider When Renovating a Gas Kitchen
Working with utilities requires special attention:

  • Gas pipes must be hidden according to regulations;

  • Outlets should be placed with all appliances in mind;

  • Ventilation must meet safety requirements.

This renovation story shows that even in a standard secondary flat with a gas stove, you can create a modern and comfortable space. The key is to think through every detail and not be afraid to experiment with the layout.