There can be your advertisement

300x150

Interior Design of Homes and Apartments

Before and After: Stylish and Budget-Friendly Transformation of a 30 m² Studio Apartment in a Brezhnev-era Building

This page is also available in the following languages:🇷🇺🇺🇦🇫🇷🇩🇪🇪🇸🇵🇱🇨🇳

Real example of functional and stylish renovation

The apartment is intended for resale, and its target audience is a young family or a student. Before designer Polina Selskaya, the task was to create an interior that would sell itself: cozy, functional, and visually spacious, with thoughtful layout. To achieve this goal, several tasks had to be solved: zone the space so that separate rooms would feel distinct, and add more storage and relaxation areas.

Location: Saint Petersburg
Area: 30 m²
Ceiling Height: 2.5 m
Rooms: 1
Bathroom: 1
Budget: 2 million rubles
Design: Polina Selskaya

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsiteApartment Before Renovation

The apartment is located in a brick building built in 1966. Before renovation, it retained a Soviet-era interior: the kitchen walls were painted in bright colors, and the dull wallpaper in the room created an atmosphere of outdated aesthetics. Plumbing and inter-room doors needed updating to meet modern standards. However, the windows had already been replaced with modern ones, which was a small advantage during the upcoming renovation.

After-Kitchen Renovation

In this project, the key goals were saving time and budget without compromising aesthetics and versatility. For flooring in the kitchen and living room, affordable laminate with a natural texture and warm tone was chosen. The walls were decorated with beige monochrome wallpapers, which also saved time and effort compared to painting. A calm color blends well with any textile and décor. The kitchen backsplash was made from "calf" tiles — a time-tested classic that meets both appearance and practicality requirements.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our Website

The kitchen cabinet was chosen modular, which allowed avoiding individual customization. This approach ensured quick installation and reduced costs. The kitchen's content was carefully planned: built-in dishwasher, microwave, oven, and gas stove were included.

Additionally, the kitchen is equipped with convenient sections and cabinets for kitchenware and groceries in a standard and practical design. Thanks to this, the functionality of the kitchen is not compromised: it looks modern, assembles quickly, and meets basic needs for both one person and a family.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsiteAfter-Room Renovation

In the room, zoning was achieved using an existing niche, previously known as the “mother-in-law’s room.” This structural element allowed for a separate living area without overloading the common space. The rest of the room was dedicated to a full bedroom, creating a comfortable atmosphere for relaxation.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our Website

The headboard wall was decorated with wallpapers resembling frescoes with noble texture and adorned with moldings. The furniture was purchased ready-made, without individual orders, which significantly simplified the setup process. The wardrobes were bought through marketplaces, which was also a convenient option.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsiteAfter-Hallway Renovation

All inter-room doors were replaced with stylish white models with graphic black handles. This contrast creates an interesting visual effect and fits well into the chosen interior style. The wardrobe in the hallway provides space for storing coats and shoes, while the mirror visually expands the space and adds light, making the hallway more functional and cozy.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsiteAfter-Bathroom Renovation

The bathroom walls are decorated with light ceramic tiles, and the floor features matte textured terrazzo-style tiles that are practical and slip-resistant. All plumbing fixtures are white, giving a neat appearance and making maintenance easier. The bathtub screen was made from slats and MDF to avoid plastic solutions, resulting in a beautiful terracotta screen with moldings — simple yet effective.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our Website

There is no washing machine, but there is a bathtub, sink, and wall-mounted toilet with installation, which makes the space and cleaning easier. Instead of a mirror over the sink, a wall-mounted light fixture was installed, which creates atmospheric lighting and looks stylish. The built-in mixer minimizes visual clutter and saves space. A bathtub, rather than a shower, is an important advantage for families with children.

Photo: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style , Modern, Small Apartment, Apartment, Renovation, Saint Petersburg, Brick House, 1 Room, Under 40 Square Meters, Polina Selskaya – Photo on Our WebsiteWant Your Project Featured on Our Website? Send Us Photos of the Interior at wow@inmyroom.ru.