In the expanses of the post-Soviet countries, a large number of so-called Khrushchevs are still functioning - small-sized apartments that have been built since the 60s of the last century. Initially, they were intended for the resettlement of communal apartments and were considered temporary housing. However, they have survived to this day. We will talk later in this article about how to equip such an apartment and make the Khrushchev design modern, stylish, beautiful and functional.
General recommendations
Before starting a global repair, it is necessary to audit all existing cabinets and closets, and then throw away unnecessary and unnecessary things. Surely there will be much more space in them, and some furniture will be unnecessary. If you get rid of it, the space will expand significantly. In this case, it is advisable to use all the niches that are only available in the apartment, including those hidden behind the doors. They are suitable for cabinets and shelves.
Don't get carried awayseveral Khrushchev design ideas at once, which provide for interior decoration with materials that radically differ from each other in color or texture. You can add variety with the help of original and bright accessories.
Hallway Design Tips
Usually, the area of this smallest room in the apartment does not exceed 4 m². That is why you should not clutter up an already small space with unnecessary decorative details. Most often, residents of such apartments use open hangers for outerwear, which creates a feeling of chaos and disorder.
The best option for hallway design in Khrushchev is built-in furniture. Often in such a room there is nowhere even to put a mirror. How to be? One of the ways out can be a wardrobe with mirrored sliding doors and a shoe rack. This option will solve several problems at once: save space and even visually expand it, allow you to hide outerwear and place it neatly, and also decorate the interior.
The functionality of the hallway design in Khrushchev will be added by shelves that can be hung on the walls. They are useful for storing bags, hats and gloves. And if you nail them in an empty, unused corner, then you can put some small figurines or pots of indoor flowers on them. This will greatly complement and enliven the interior.
Ideas for placing furniture in a small kitchen
Most often this room is no more than 5 meters wide. The design of the kitchen in Khrushchev becomesa real problem and especially with regard to the placement of furniture. Being in such a room for two family members at the same time becomes an insoluble problem, not to mention cooking. However, even such a small space can be equipped with maximum efficiency.
In order to harmoniously include such necessary household appliances as a dishwasher and washing machine in the Khrushchev design, you will have to abandon the floor cabinets where dishes and food were previously stored and move them to hinged structures. It is also necessary to maximize the use of the corner areas of the kitchen. They can accommodate the most bulky items, which include a refrigerator and a dining table. As for the latter, it does not have to be classic. A folding table that can be folded at any time will help to save space in the center of the room. It can be placed either in a corner or near a window.
Living room design styles
In Khrushchev, to visually expand the boundaries of the room, experts advise using light colors and pastel shades. However, in order for the interior not to be associated with a hospital ward, it is necessary to bring some bright accents into it.
For the interior of small rooms, modular furniture is perfect. It folds easily and extends when needed. Furniture should harmoniously fit into the overall design of the living room. In Khrushchev, experts most often recommend decorating such rooms either in modern style or in classic style, a little less often.offer high-tech. Provence and country are also suitable for small spaces.
But what designers don't recommend is empire and shabby chic styles, because their characteristic feature is a large number of decorative elements that will clutter up an already small living room. To create a stylish and modern design in Khrushchev, it is enough to use such details as mirror inserts of various shapes and shiny surfaces in interior design, which, by the way, can also be used to decorate furniture.
Bedroom Design Tips
Khrushchev has small and often narrow rooms. However, you should not immediately dwell on minimalism, since retro and country are styles that involve the use of various colorful and unusual elements, which include mirrors, paintings and lamps. In addition, wallpapers and upholstery fabrics with an original pattern and texture will perfectly fit into such an interior.
High-tech bedroom design in Khrushchev style will fit perfectly into a small room, and modular furniture will help save space. This interior is sure to appeal to young people. It can be supplemented with unusual details, as well as decorate the ceiling and walls with paintings.
Classic is suitable for older people with well-established tastes and habits. It involves the use of traditional finishes, laconic forms and furniture corresponding to them. Bedroom design should be the embodiment of only one style. Do not get too carried away filling the narrowspace with unnecessary things or overly complex decor.
Bathroom Tips
Making the design of a small Khrushchev as comfortable and beautiful as possible is not an easy task. This is especially true for the bathroom. The pattern and color of the finishing materials, as well as the size of the plumbing, plays a key role here. Here are some tips for choosing them:
- The room can be visually expanded if the walls, ceiling and floor are light.
- A large frameless mirror will visually enlarge the space.
- Solid or matte screens reduce the room, so you need to choose translucent ones. If the bathroom is combined, then in this case it is better to delimit the space with an opaque curtain or partition made of drywall or corrugated glass.
- Plumbing, if possible, should choose a miniature one. Also in specialized stores you can buy elegant glass sinks with the same countertops. They are good because they seem to be lost against the background of the finish.
- If the choice was made in favor of a dark design, the room, in addition to the overhead light, should also have additional side lighting.
Studio apartment: do's and don'ts
For a comfortable arrangement of a small apartment, they often resort to combining all the rooms into one room. The only exception is the bathroom. All changes made to the layout of the apartment must be coordinated with the relevant supervisory authorities.authorities, otherwise problems may arise during its sale.
During the redevelopment and implementation of the new design of both Khrushchev and other apartments, it is strictly forbidden to remove load-bearing walls. The only thing that is allowed is to break through a new door in it, having previously strengthened the opening with a reliable metal profile. But it is quite possible to experiment with light partitions.
In addition, in no case should a bathroom be moved to another place. It is also forbidden to lay ventilation ducts and openings. This will inevitably lead to a malfunction of the hood throughout the riser. In this case, the neighbors will begin to express their dissatisfaction and even complain to the relevant organizations. In any case, you will have to restore everything at your own expense.
Tips for choosing curtains
One of the distinguishing features of small apartments built during the Soviet period is the low ceiling height, not exceeding 2.5 meters. Therefore, the design of Khrushchev, including the right choice of curtains, is a separate issue.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the windows, as in houses built in different years, their size is not the same. With such ceilings, it is better to hang the eaves as high as possible. It is also recommended to use curtains sewn from a plain fabric that does not have vertical refractions. In this case, the ceiling will appear higher. You should not buy wide massive cornices that “eat up” space.
Not the last role in the design of Khrushchev playsthe material from which the curtains are sewn. Dark or heavy fabrics should not be chosen for this purpose. It is better to give preference to lighter shades. And the use of natural textiles in the interior will add authenticity to it.
The meaning of lighting in Khrushchev design
According to experts, it should not be dull, and even more so colored, otherwise it will emphasize the already small size of the premises. This is especially true for the bathroom. If dim lighting in a living room or bedroom adds coziness, then in a small bathroom you need to focus on bright and high-quality lighting.
Such narrow and long rooms as a corridor or a hallway can be visually expanded by lamps, the light from which will fall on the walls. As for the kitchen, diversity will be appropriate here: contour lighting located around the entire perimeter, as well as bright lighting above the work surface and spot lighting above the dining table.
