8 Ideas We Spotted in a Transformed Two-Room Apartment from the Brezhnev Era

This Moscow apartment was inherited by a young homeowner from her grandmother: renovating the interior became not just a design project, but a way to preserve family history. Together with Daria Kurchanova, they decided to keep the original layout, wooden windows, and parquet flooring, complementing them with modern solutions and functional storage layouts.

At the same time, the budget remained reasonable — 3 million rubles for all work. The apartment turned out to be light, warm, and filled with meaning: every corner reflects the owner's interests and lifestyle. We've collected 8 ideas that particularly inspired us.

Keep the Layout, but Completely Redesign Functions

In the apartment, they didn't break walls or combine rooms, but nearly every space changed its purpose. The kitchen remained separate, the living room became a passageway, but they gained new functions: the living room now stores all sports equipment, while the kitchen got maximum storage space.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

This approach saves budget and preserves space. Thanks to updated furniture and finishing, the apartment completely changed without requiring re-planning approvals.

Make a Wardrobe Invisible

In the living room, a large floor-to-ceiling wardrobe was placed, but it doesn't draw attention. All fronts are painted the same color as the walls, and handles and hardware blend in minimally.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

Thanks to this trick, it looks like part of the architecture rather than a separate piece of furniture. It's an excellent way to add storage without overloading the room.

Dedicate a Space for Hobbies

The owner practices yoga, and the designer created a free zone by the window for this. Nothing stands there or gets in the way — just soft light, space, and silence.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

The zone allows practicing yoga without feeling cramped, even in a small apartment. Hobbies and daily life no longer compete for space.

Work with Tiles as a Decorative Element

On the kitchen wall, white tiles are used not only in the backsplash but also extend to the wall with a window. This makes the interior more cohesive and visually expands the narrow space.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

The tiles were chosen with different patterns of laying, creating rhythm and dynamics. At the same time, the white color makes the kitchen feel as airy as possible.

Don't Throw Away, Restore Instead

Rather than replacing the parquet or old wooden windows, they were simply restored. This solution is not only eco-friendly but also gives the interior that warm texture impossible to fake.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

Antique parquet is complemented by new tiles in wet areas, and the combination feels very natural. Plus — savings on materials and respect for the home's history.

Use Dark Colors Without Fear

In the bedroom, walls are painted a deep green — one of the most expressive choices in the apartment. The background works perfectly for relaxation, helping to settle into calm.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

Combined with natural wood, black hardware, and warm textiles, the interior feels whole and cozy. The dark background allows furniture shapes and decor items to stand out without over-decoration.

Reconfigure the Wardrobe for Yourself

The owner's wardrobe remained in its original place, but it was completely redesigned inside. Now there is a convenient system with sliding drawers, zones for shoes, luggage, and upper clothing.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

A glass display case was designed for jewelry storage. All done to order, tailored specifically for the wardrobe.

Even a Narrow Hallway Can Be Functional

In the entrance hall, a simple but striking structure made of wood and metal was used — something between a railing and a staircase. It serves both as a coat rack and shoe organizer.

Design: Daria Kurchanova

A small shelf and a mirror in the corner make the entrance zone a full-fledged mini-preparation point. Minimalist but very practical and not cluttering the small hallway.