There can be your advertisement

300x150

Interior Design of Homes and Apartments

What They Came Up With in a Soviet Two-Room Apartment: 7 Unexpected Solutions from the Renovation

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

Modern space with character in a typical Soviet apartment

An apartment in a building from 1961 was transformed from 'a layout with all the inconveniences' into a modern space with a French accent. The owner refused the services of a designer and came up with her own solutions to overcome typical limitations of a Khrushchev-era flat. We analyze the most interesting solutions that can be replicated.

Photo: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsiteMain Points of the Article:

  • Relocation planning is approved and complies with all regulations;

  • 2.75m ceiling height allowed for spatial play;

  • All old walls were demolished down to the foundation to achieve a flat geometry;

  • Special attention was paid to storage systems.

Before Renovation Photos: Why Demolishing All Walls Is Sometimes the Best Solution

"All walls, as well as the floor, were completely demolished," – the owner explains. The wall deviation reached up to 10 centimeters. Instead of endless leveling of old walls, they were demolished and new ones built from tongue-and-groove blocks. This allowed preserving precious square meters of living space and achieving perfectly flat surfaces.

Photo: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsiteHow to Turn a Closet Door into Part of the Interior

"These doors are actually from a wardrobe system PAX," – the owner shares. A spacious niche for outerwear appeared in the hallway, disguised as a regular opening. Automatic lighting and sockets for a router were installed inside.

Photo: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsiteFrench Doors Where You Don't Expect Them

A glass door with a sliding panel was installed between the kitchen and living room – not just for aesthetics, but as required by gas technicians. This solution meets safety regulations and lets natural light into the hallway.

Photo: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsiteWhen the Balcony Becomes a Summer Veranda

"I didn’t glaze the balcony, instead I made it open and created a pleasant place to relax in summer," – the owner explains. Instead of typical glazing, a French balcony with forged railings appeared. Despite the short Moscow summer, it’s nice to sip coffee outdoors.

Why a Partition Is Needed in the Living Room

"It serves both functional properties, such as sound insulation, and decorative functions," – the owner explains. The glass partition divides the dining area and the living room, without consuming space or natural light.

Photo: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsiteWhy You Need Lots of Mirrors in a Small Apartment

"Firstly, they reflect light from the windows, secondly, with mirrors, my whole apartment," – the owner shares. Mirrors were placed in every room:

  • In the hallway from floor to ceiling;

  • In the bedroom on the whole wall;

  • In the bathroom above the sink;

  • In the living room as a decorative element.

Photo: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsitePhoto: in style, Apartment, Room Interior, Interior Design, Renovation, Interior by Yourself, DIY Renovation, Small Apartment Layout, Rough Work During Renovation, Small Apartment, Original Solutions, Renovation in an Old Building, DIY Renovation, Questions to a Designer Before Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, One-Room Apartment Renovation, Typological Apartment Renovation, DIY Renovation, DIY Renovation – Photo on Our WebsiteHow to "Raise" Ceilings Without Renovation

"Since the ceiling height here is about 2.72–2.75m, with some unevenness and the door opening is non-standard at 2.20m," – the owner explains. Instead of standard 2-meter door frames, taller ones of 2.20m were made. This visually stretches the space and creates an impression of higher ceilings.

What to Consider During Such a Renovation

Not all solutions were perfect. The owner honestly shares about the shortcomings:

  • It's hard to find matching shades of gold hardware;

  • White walls require frequent updates;

  • Some protruding structures could have been designed better.

The experience of this renovation shows that even in a typical Soviet apartment, you can create a modern space with character. The key is to think through every detail and not be afraid to experiment with the layout.

Video of the Apartment: