Before and After: How We Transformed a Bathroom in a Brezhnev-Era Apartment on a Budget

Our heroine Julia Bobrovsкая independently decorated a rental apartment in a 38 sq. m two-room Brezhnev-era building located in a very picturesque and green area of Moscow. The surrounding nature served as inspiration for the update and became the basis for the interior concept. We show what the small combined bathroom looks like now.

Before the renovation, this was a standard combined bathroom decorated in cool tones. The walls were painted in a muted green color, and the area around the bathtub was tiled with white tiles. The atmosphere looked somewhat outdated and unremarkable, which inspired a desire to transform this space into something more modern and cozy.

One of the first steps in the renovation was deciding to cover the floor. Instead of traditional tiles, plastic panels imitating ceramic were chosen. This not only saved money but also simplified floor maintenance. Plastic is resistant to moisture and easy to clean, making it an ideal material for a bathroom. Wall decoration also changed: the old tiles were repainted with white acrylic paint.

One of the most unusual solutions was creating a lawn above the toilet. Planters were neatly arranged on shelves. They not only decorate the space but also purify the air, making it fresher and more pleasant. This solution brought a feeling of freshness and nature into the small bathroom, making it cozier.

Instead of a standard towel rack, a wooden ladder was made by hand. This solution is functional, convenient, and adds individuality to the interior. Another original idea was using a regular bedside table under the sink, which added style and made the space more fashionable. The table was refined: a cutout for utilities was made, moldings were glued on, and a curtain was added.

Budget-friendly solutions allowed us to create an original and stylish space in a small bathroom in a Brezhnev-era apartment without extra costs. This approach opens new horizons for decorating small spaces and inspires further changes in the home.