Most of the population of our country has small apartments. Both in old houses and in new buildings, they are the first to be purchased: the prices are more reasonable. After purchasing such a home, the question immediately arises of how to renovate a small apartment so that it is comfortable, functional and beautiful. This is not an easy task, but since this task occurs very often, a number of solutions have been developed to suit different tastes and needs. We will talk about them.
Make a studio apartment
IN last years Studio apartments are popular among young people (and not only others). These are rooms with a minimum of partitions. Only the toilet and bathroom remain allocated, and sometimes the bedroom. All other walls are demolished completely (if they are not load-bearing) or partially.
There are several subtleties that you need to know when doing this type of repair:
In any case, the redevelopment with the demolition of walls must be approved. To do this, a work project is ordered, it is signed by the architecture department, and only then the repair itself begins. Then you won't have any problems.
pros
On the positive side of the alteration ordinary apartment The following points can be attributed to a studio apartment:
- You get a spacious room instead of several small rooms.
- The usable area increases. It just seems like the walls take up little space. Do the math: a wall 3.5 m long and 20 cm wide (narrow partition) occupies an area of 3.5 * 0.2 = 0.7 square meters. This is one very small wall.
- For large room You can choose any style and apply interesting ideas.
In general, such renovations in a small apartment will visually (and actually) make it larger. Moreover, functionality does not suffer at all, and life becomes more convenient.
Flaws
You can't do without shortcomings. The first is the lack of privacy. If the apartment is intended for one person, he will feel comfortable in it. If two people live together, you need to be prepared for the fact that you are constantly in front of each other.
The second is the spread of the smells of their kitchen. The absence of partitions means that all the aromas from the kitchen freely penetrate into all corners of the apartment. The right thing can save the situation ventilation system and powerful hood.
The third is the need to maintain ideal order. Immediately, from the threshold, you see all or almost all of the space. So there can't be any confusion.
The decision to turn an apartment into a studio is radical and not suitable for everyone. It's unusual for us to not have separate rooms. But there are other ways to renovate a small apartment, improving its functionality.
Combine a bathroom
Most of the apartments standard layout suffers from one drawback: a very small area allocated for the bathroom - toilet and bathtub. Moreover, for some reason, initially these two rooms are separate. As a result, both the bathroom and the toilet cannot be expanded and there is definitely nothing additional that can be installed ( washing machine and a water heater, for example). They correct the situation by removing the partition and making it joint.
The specific remodeling plan depends on the similar layout, but general idea one: they destroy the partition, remove one of the doors. In some options, it is possible to slightly increase the area of the bathroom due to the area “stolen” from the corridor (as in the photo above).
As already written above, it is possible to increase the area of wet rooms only at the expense of technical rooms. At the same time, during repairs it is necessary to take a particularly careful approach to waterproofing issues. It is necessary to apply several hydrophobic layers (at least 3).
pros
The advantages of converting a bathroom into a combined one are quite obvious. Its area increases, the number of doors decreases. The room becomes more functional. It is useless to argue about whether it is convenient or not. For some this option suits, for others it does not.
Under renovation
Minuses
They can manifest themselves in “densely populated” apartments, when everyone is going to work or school at the same time. If one of the family members occupies the bathroom for a long time, the rest become nervous.
Insulation and connection of a balcony or loggia
The emergence of new heat-insulating materials makes it possible to efficiently insulate a balcony/loggia, glaze it and, by removing the window block, connect it to the room. To make sure it is warm on the former balcony, heating is installed there. Just note that the removal of radiators central heating there is strictly prohibited. In this case, you can install electric floor heating. Since the areas are small, the bills won’t be huge either (if properly insulated).
Please note that you cannot take it out onto balconies and loggias. gas appliances and plumbing. This is true for the kitchen. You can install several cabinets, a refrigerator, take out the dining area, but gas stove and the sink should remain in the “main” area.
Another important point concerns the repair itself. When combining a room with a balcony or loggia, you can only remove that part of the wall that was under the window block. It is strictly forbidden to break the remaining pieces of the wall. These "residues" are part load-bearing structure and without them the house may simply collapse.
pros
The advantages of such a solution are obvious. Such renovation in a small apartment leads to the fact that the usable area increases significantly. This is especially noticeable in small rooms. You had a kitchen of 6 square meters. m, together with the balcony it is already 8 square meters, and maybe more.
Minuses
The disadvantages are also obvious. This is a significant expense. Important to do good insulation. In order not to lose precious space, it is necessary to use high-quality materials that, with a small thickness, provide good thermal insulation properties (extruded polystyrene foam). The cost of these materials is not encouraging - they are expensive.
In the kitchen, the “remaining” wall can not be removed, but can be used as a bar counter
The same situation applies to glazing. Usually plastic (PVC) windows are installed. In this case, high-quality, preferably three-chamber double-glazed windows are required, and the profiles must have at least five chambers. Such plastic windows belong to the elite category, and cost accordingly. But we don’t recommend buying cheaper ones: it will be cold in winter.
Redevelopment
Another radical way to renovate a small apartment and at the same time improve its living qualities is to remodel it. It’s difficult to talk about this without reference to a specific plan, but there are main points that are found in most cases:
These are basically all the points that often occur. They can be combined to achieve the characteristics you need. It is necessary to plan alterations scrupulously, knowing exactly the distances and plotting them on the plan. You can use design programs that allow you to create three-dimensional spaces and even fill them with furniture from sweat. It’s easier to evaluate the result this way than on paper.
An example of renovation in a small apartment (photo report)
An ordinary small one-room apartment in an old building.
It was decided to start renovating a small apartment by combining the bathroom. In addition, the wall, which is currently at an angle, will be leveled.
Bathroom renovation
First we break the partitions in the bathroom.
We make grooves for cold and hot water pipes and sewerage. First, we cut the brick with a grinder with a diamond blade, then we cut out the inside with a chisel and hammer.
We lay water supply and sewerage pipes into the prepared grooves. We solder the water pipe from polypropylene. Good material, easy to solder, has a long service life.
In place of the riser we make a box of plasterboard - for taps, meters and others plumbing fixtures. We fill the free space at the top with bricks.
Next, we proceed to installing partitions. To do this, we use tongue-and-groove wall slabs (GWP). In places where they join the walls and floor, we lay a cork backing, glue it with special glue, and fasten it with straight drywall hangers. Before fastening, carefully check the verticality and horizontality.
The floor is very uneven. First, we lay out bricks almost to the desired level and roughly level with mortar. After drying, fill with a thin layer of self-leveling mixture.
We check the alignment results - deviations are no more than 5 mm. It will be fine under the tiles.
Now you can level the walls. One is heavily piled up, from about halfway up. The discrepancy is almost 7 cm. We take the solution, wire and apply it layer by layer, reinforcing the layers.
When the wall has become more or less even, you can place beacons and then plaster over them.
There are large holes on the other wall near the area for the bathroom taps and washbasin. they also need to be sealed with reinforcement - a layer of more than 3 cm.
Preliminary reinforcement with various pieces of iron and painting mesh
While the walls are drying, we coat the floor with waterproofing. We apply it in two layers, additionally gluing the corners with serpyanka.
Waterproofing is serious business
Tiles can be laid on dried plaster.
After the tiles are laid, we decorate the bathroom. We assemble the frame for finishing, cover it with plasterboard (moisture-resistant), and install hatches on it and glue tiles.
Finishing touches
The shared bathroom is ready, let's move on to the kitchen.
We are renovating the kitchen
A kitchen design project was developed in CorelDraw. It was compiled taking into account the connection of water supply and sewerage systems; based on the results, an electrical wiring diagram was developed. It’s much more convenient to do this in a program than on a piece of paper; you can immediately put down existing dimensions and then build on them.
Scheme of engineering systems and electrical wiring
We make grooves along the walls, lay wires in them, bringing them to the places where the sockets will be located. Long and dusty. We don’t gouge the ceiling - it will be tensioned, so we just lay it on top and fasten it.
We just attach wires to the ceiling -
The walls are more or less smooth, so there is no need to plaster. Enough putty ().
PVC window installed, radiator connected
In order to set the window sill to the desired height, the board was sawn into small bars. Using wedges, the window sill was leveled. A load was placed on top (circles from a collapsible dumbbell), and the gaps were filled with foam. The foam was used with weak expansion so that the window sill would not bend.
We continue to tidy up the walls. We lay the tile apron. We fix the guides level, exactly to the horizon (preferably a plasterboard profile, since wooden planks are rarely perfectly level). Although the guide is only needed temporarily, it must be fastened properly so that it does not move during operation. When laying the apron, simply rest the tiles on the exposed strip.
You can read about the types of kitchen aprons.
Let's start renovating the floor. First, we remove the old hardboard, then we remove the paint from the wooden floor and smooth it out. Long and tedious. If there were enough funds, it would be possible to completely replace it, but they left it as is.
We lay fiberboard, nail it around the perimeter, and then in a checkerboard pattern around the area. We spread linoleum on top.
Fiberboard laid, linoleum on top
Now it's the walls' turn. It's simple - we glue wallpaper.
The factory ordered spare parts from . The edges were glued on their own. We take an iron, iron the edge, gluing it to the cut of the chipboard. Cool with a wet cloth, cut off excess sharp knife, and smooth the edges with fine sandpaper glued to the block. It turns out exactly like the factory edge.
Then, according to the drawings, we assemble the entire kitchen set. This is from another story, but in my case it was part of the repair.
It was decided to make the dining table folding with a rotating mechanism. It unfolds along the long side of the tabletop, the two halves are fastened with card loops, there is a turning point (in the photo where you can see cross bar), along which the tabletop rotates. When folded, the table is small, when unfolded it is twice as large.
While everything was being assembled, the facades arrived - MDF covered with plastic in an aluminum frame. Beautiful and very reliable in terms of impact resistance.
The kitchen renovation is now complete. It was the turn of the balcony.
Repair on the loggia
It was decided to combine a loggia (7 sq.m.) with a room. For small areas, this increase is very noticeable. First, we removed all the trim and removed the old glazing. They left the parapet for now - for safety and began by leveling the floor for laying gas blocks.
Partition on the balcony made of aerated concrete blocks. The fittings are visible (pictured left). At the same time, wooden planks were installed on the outside, onto which the siding was attached.
Having laid out three rows of blocks, I secured the strips on the outside - the sheathing for the siding. I immediately attached the siding to them. Then it will be problematic to do this. In the meantime, having tied himself with ropes to a block built into the wall (9th floor) for insurance, he worked bent over. The wall was assembled quickly, as was the exterior sheathing.
A team from the company arrived and installed the windows. The junction of the window and the wall is covered with a vapor barrier tape - so that warm air does not enter the microscopic gap and condensation does not form there.
Insulation was purchased for the walls, ceiling and floor - extruded polystyrene foam. We attach it to the walls with special plastic mushrooms, to the floor - with polyurethane foam. Since a wooden floor will be laid on top of the insulation, wooden mortgages are attached in 60 cm increments, to which the logs will then be attached.
Penoplex glue with lavsan heat-reflecting film is applied on top of the thermal insulation. They recommended foil foam, but it was not available in stores. All surfaces are covered except warm wall. On top of it is a lathing for finishing with plastic panels.
At one of the ends there will be computer desk. At this point, plywood is attached to the wall. The table frame and monitor will be attached to it. We immediately install electrical wiring and Internet cables to this place, and install sockets. Then you can sew it up with panels.
Sheathing with plastic panels is one of the fastest and easiest operations in all repairs. We put a starting strip on it, insert a panel cut to size into it, and attach it to the strips with brackets made of construction stapler. And so on.
One of the tasks is to correctly make plastic slopes. It seems that it turned out well ().
Let's get to the floor. We lay plywood on the penoplex, and on top of that there is another layer of penoplex, to which we attach the floor temperature sensor.
Roll out on the floor and double sided tape We attach the heating film. It should not be under furniture, so the consumption is not too great. We install a thermostat on the wall.
If laminate was being laid, it would be possible to lay it directly on the heating film. We will have linoleum, so we put another layer of plywood on top, and not that - linoleum.
Now it's time to remove the window side and doors to the balcony.
We refine the remaining opening laminated chipboard. We do it according to the principle of slopes, we plant it on polyurethane foam. Read how to install slopes from laminated chipboard or MDF
Room
The doors were moved during the renovation process. The partition is made of foam concrete blocks, so cutting out a new doorway was easy. The old one was laid with tongue-and-groove slabs, secured with metal strips and the joints were taped with paint mesh.
The rest of the finishing is uninteresting and standard: we tear off the old wallpaper and loose plaster. We prime, plaster again and glue fresh wallpapers. In general, renovating the room was the easiest part.
The floor was level - plywood was laid on the screed, so this time we just laid laminate on top. Easy, fast, dust-free.
The last stage is assembling the furniture. It was also developed in the same program, chipboard cut to size was ordered. A closet with sliding doors is installed in one wall from edge to edge.
I liked two “gadgets” - a retractable ironing board and a hanger for small items. Very convenient, by the way.
I brought the corner sofa I ordered.
The free wall was occupied by shelves and cabinets, and a TV was also installed there.
We designed everything ourselves, according to our sizes.
That's all, the renovation of the small apartment is complete. The time frame turned out to be more than a year, but everything was done by one person. The exception is suspended ceilings and PVC windows.
What kind of apartment is called “small-sized”?
Apartment with an area of 15 to 25 sq.m.
What is the main task when developing a project for small apartments?
The main task of specialists is not so much the design of individual elements, but the development of a planning solution that will allow all the necessary functional areas to be allocated on 15-25 square meters of living space.
What is the difference between the design of small apartments and standard apartments?
Developing an interior design project for a small apartment requires special knowledge, a professional approach and creativity. With the right approach, an interior designer can turn a small apartment into comfortable modern apartments that can comfortably accommodate not just one person, but an entire family.
What specific features does the design of small-sized housing have?
As a rule, this is a redevelopment, dividing space into several functional zones, use of a second tier for sleeping space, or mezzanines for storing things, selection of shades that visually expand the space; working with light, using multifunctional furniture.
How to create comfortable housing for a family of several people from a simple small-sized apartment?
Designers recommend using light and cool shades in interior design - this will visually enlarge the space. You also need to choose: optimal lighting, which, together with the color scheme, will create a good effect, functional furniture, and install a spacious wardrobe with mirrored doors for the dressing room.
What furniture is suitable for small apartments?
It is best to use transformable furniture; it saves space and easily fits into any interior.
How to increase small space kitchens?
Make a redevelopment. Usually, next to the kitchen there is a bathroom combined with a toilet, several meters of which can be separated in favor of the kitchen.
How to create a convenient design for a small studio apartment?
During renovation, all doors and non-load-bearing interior walls are almost completely removed. The studio is effective way expanding the space, making it an interesting and economical area.
Which finish is best suited for a small-sized interior?
If you have a one-room apartment or a studio apartment, then you need to use a maximum of 3-4 types of finishing materials. For example, one parquet board throughout all rooms, two types of tiles on the floor and walls, as well as painting the walls. You can make an accent by highlighting, for example, one wall. Using the same type of tile in the bathroom and kitchen will also increase the space.
Which style is best for small apartments?
Styles that will look organic in the interiors of small apartments and create a feeling of lightness and visual expansion of space in the room - contemporary, Scandinavian style, loft, minimalism, hi-tech, modern, eco-style, modern classics.
How can zoning be implemented in small apartments?
Zones in small apartments do not necessarily need to be surrounded by partitions. Zoning can be done with light glass structures or a certain arrangement of furniture. An apartment can even be one room, which has a bedroom, kitchen, dining room and living room with conditional zoning.
If it is not possible to solve the problem of shortage of square meters, it is important to correctly approach the organization of available space. You can make a small apartment cozy, comfortable and ergonomic. To do this, you just need to use a few design techniques and tricks.
Small cozy apartment often creates a more vibrant impression than a spacious home. But to decorate a miniature apartment, you need to have imaginative thinking, good taste and a sense of color.
Peculiarities
Small apartments are not uncommon these days. Design ideas for modern apartments are becoming more daring and original every year. New layouts, pieces of furniture, finishing materials and decorative elements are appearing - everything to make a small apartment cozy and comfortable.
Fresh design ideas and many different techniques can create a unique design even on 30 square meters. But here it is important to take into account the general style of the apartment.
A small apartment with an area of 32 meters makes you dream, look for individual projects and create truly unique interiors. For maximum comfort and comfort, the interior of the apartment must be organized as simply as possible.
At the same time, the requirements for a small apartment are exactly the same as for a large one - it is necessary to accommodate a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and bathroom. And in some cases, also a study and a children's room.
Each apartment has its pros and cons. For example, one of the obvious disadvantages is the small footage. And the advantages may be large windows, high ceilings or an unusual layout.
In an apartment with an area of 47 square meters you can create a beautiful and practical interior. To do this, it is enough to use laconic forms in furniture and decor, as well as modern technology. The same can be said about apartments with an area of 38 or 43 square meters. m.
For a mini-apartment of 30 sq. It is important to choose the right and thoughtful finish. The surface of the walls, ceiling and floor should be uniform. And in a small room you need to fit everything in a limited space. The area of such a room is usually at least 11 square meters. m, and in most cases it is 18-20 sq. m.
Therefore, any transformation in an apartment should begin with a clear plan drawn up on paper; every square centimeter must be taken into account. Every detail should be aimed at visually increasing the space.
Style
Not all interior styles can be used in a small apartment. But despite the chosen style, it is better to keep the entire apartment in one direction. And by thinking through every detail, you can get a functional and stylish interior. This can be done in different styles: Provence, Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Baroque. But most suitable style– minimalism. The interior should contain only the necessary things; a minimum of details and monotony are encouraged. You may prefer soft shades such as turquoise or mint.
- English style – is associated with twilight and cramped rooms, but it can also be successfully used in small room. Cozy rooms, restraint, warm lighting and large armchairs - perfect solution for a small living room.
- High tech– combines comfort and innovation, perfect for small apartments. The style is characterized by the use of the most simple and concise forms without additional decorative elements and details. A combination of light, monochrome and metallic colors just right for owners of small apartments.
- Fashionable today industrial loft style With brick wall requires high costs: metal constructions and bohemian decorative elements, such as upholstered furniture, paintings, and possibly antiques, will not be cheap at all.
- Conservative people who value traditions should better decorate their apartment V classic style . In addition, the classics are relevant at all times.
- Lovers of Paris and fans of the Audrey Hepburn era will appreciate the light surroundings in French style, transporting as if for some time to France. Restrained light colors, elegance, airiness and aristocratic atmosphere look very attractive.
- Another french style – chalet– absolutely does not look like pretentious luxury, this is a cozy and slightly careless interior of the shepherds of a mountain village.
- Japanese style combines harmony of beauty, poetic motifs oriental culture and functionality. The style of the Land of the Rising Sun is great for small spaces. Designers recommend using screens and mobile partitions for zoning.
- Swedish style has collected all the techniques and methods for visually expanding space: light shades of walls and bright decor, the construction of a hill and the use of partitions, multifunctional furniture and open cabinets - all this makes the interior of a small room very cozy.
- Decorating the interior in Finnish style, preference should be given to finishing materials and furniture with natural wood tones, as well as a combination of blue and white. Therefore, the interior in the Finnish style always looks laconic, simple, spacious, warm and cozy.
In any style, it is better to choose light shades of wood for the floor, if we are talking about laminate or parquet board. In a small apartment in an open area, you can lay boards without thresholds or joints.
Wood-effect tiles laid diagonally also look great; they help to visually expand the space.
Color solution
In a small apartment it is appropriate to use light, calm and neutral shades. They are able to create a real miracle, reflecting light and expanding even a miniature space. This applies to walls, ceilings, floors and furniture. But any objects and things can be not simple and boring, but designer and attractive.
Shades can be cold or warm. A warm palette is more suitable for dark apartments, and a cold one is more suitable for sunny ones. In any lighting, the space in the light colors of the apartment will seem more airy and voluminous. But in pursuit of white walls, the main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to end up with a hospital interior. Pastel, monochrome and bright details are the best allies in creating a comfortable and cozy design.
For a small room, photo wallpaper with perspective is perfect, plaster or silk-screen printing is a skillful combination various colors and textures in one room will allow you to create a unique and stylish interior.
Visually raising the ceiling and expanding a narrow space will help vertical lines on the walls. And it is not necessary to choose strict straight lines; it is enough to choose an upward-pointing ornament or pattern. The color of the ceiling must be lighter than the walls.
Dark and rich shades can be present in the interior only as a decorative element to emphasize contrast and add depth. Bright color You can cover one wall or part of it. A bright sofa or pouf will also fit perfectly into a bright room.
For prints and designs, it is better to use balanced geometry and simple patterns. But the main background should remain light.
Bright decor can only be used in paintings, textiles and curtains. If you like beautiful sofa cushions, choose bright and cute pillowcases that can be changed depending on your mood. It’s good if the color palette echoes the shade of the curtains or blanket.
Furniture
As you know, a theater begins with a coat rack, and an apartment begins with a hallway. And so that in narrow corridor There was no feeling of chaos; it was better to immediately choose a place for a narrow but roomy shoe rack. It will save the small space of the corridor from dirty shoes and will help maintain order.
The main rule that you should always remember is that you don’t need to clutter up an already small room with unnecessary furniture. All pieces of furniture should perform their tasks, and it is better to combine several functions.
Choose functional furniture. Furniture created according to individual calculations can transform any environment into a completely comfortable home. For example, even loft beds will help to combine the living room and bedroom without compromising the space.
A separate bedroom hidden from prying eyes will create a feeling of comfort and tranquility. And if it is possible to separate the sleeping area from other rooms, then you can afford a large double bed.
Basic selection rules:
- the length of the sleeping place must be at least 15 cm greater than the person’s height;
- choose a bed of a comfortable width;
- leave Free access to the bed on both sides;
- inner body beds must have a storage system.
And if you can refuse any item, then it is better to do so. It is better to fix the TV on a swivel bracket. This way you can get rid of an unnecessary shelf or console that takes up part of the space.
But if coffee table necessary, then give preference to a transforming table that can turn from a small one into big table for 12 guests. The main thing is that the design of the furniture is simple and the weight is light.
When choosing furniture, the most important thing is to rationally use the free space near the walls. But at the same time, you should abandon the stereotype of placing furniture along the walls opposite each other. For example, it would be great corner wardrobe, which visually takes up little space but holds a large number of things.
It is better to choose mirrors as door decoration; they will visually enlarge the room and eliminate the need to purchase an additional dressing table.
Choose furniture for the kitchen especially carefully. It is better to opt for a roomy headset that will reach the ceiling. On upper shelves You can store rarely used dishes or household appliances. And the narrow space between the wall and the refrigerator can be used for vertically rolling out a shelf-rack.
It is better to choose a folding dining table. You can also use a narrow bar counter for eating in the kitchen, and disassemble the transforming console table when guests arrive. When choosing the color of furniture, give preference light shades wood, such furniture looks less massive.
Zoning
The multifunctionality of furniture can overload a room. Each zone of the room should have its own purpose. To do this, you need to divide the apartment into small functional areas: living room, living room, kitchen and bathroom.
Ideally, the layout of the apartment allows for the dismantling of some walls. If you get rid of some partitions and make repairs, you can combine the living room, kitchen and hallway, rearrange the furniture so that there is more free space in the apartment and create an original interior.
Old-built apartments, the so-called “Stalinka” apartments, have obvious potential - high ceilings. Therefore, in such an apartment you can implement the most unusual and interesting solutions.
You can remove unnecessary ceilings and unload the space with the help of a second tier (often a bed is placed on it) and increase the functionality of each square meter.
Many actions during redevelopment must be coordinated with the executive body and project documentation must be prepared.
Examples of finished projects show that anything can be used as zoning methods: furniture, curtains, screens, partitions, a small podium and even panoramic windows.
If one person or a young couple lives in an apartment, then you can focus on space and freedom, and the fastest and easiest way to zone the space is to use light curtains or mobile shelving.
You can also divide the apartment by choosing contrasting colors for each zone. The main thing is that all shades overlap and combine with each other.
Artificial lighting brings warmth and comfort and plays a key role in zoning. Every part of the apartment must be illuminated. Additional lamps in dark corners will not emphasize the boundaries of the room.
It is better to replace a large ceiling chandelier in the center of the ceiling big amount built-in lamps, directional lamps and LED strips. And use wall sconces and floor lamps as individual lighting. Floor-mounted built-in lamps with directed vertical light upwards also look advantageous.
Combining available types lighting with a stretch glossy ceiling, you can achieve an incredible effect. Reflecting from the mirror coating, the light will flow and visually lift the ceiling. And the reflective space of the room will not allow you to determine the clear boundaries of the ceiling and wall the first time.
Rules for increasing space
The living area should be divided into separate zones: living room and bedroom. And in each zone there should be thought individual design and special furniture was selected.
The ideal recipe for visually increasing space is simple:
- Use multifunctional and only necessary furniture. The main thing here is to maintain the golden mean between aesthetics and practicality.
- Special attention worth your time upholstered furniture, since this is where residents and guests spend most of their time. Do not choose an oversized sofa; it is better to limit yourself to a two-seater sofa and one armchair or soft pouf. And when guests arrive, you can get folding chairs, which are a must-have in an apartment where family and friends often gather for family dinners. These chairs can be stored hanging behind the door and taken out as needed.
- A good design trick is to get rid of ordinary doors. Can be used sliding structures or make arches with additional lighting in place of the openings. This simple method will create the illusion of a large space and use the space on the wall that is usually left for opening the door.
- Maximum mirrors and good lighting. The mirror can hang not only on the wall, but also on a cabinet, door or partition.
Specialization: philological education. Work experience as a builder - 20 years. Of these, for the last 15 years he led a team as a foreman. I know everything about construction - from design and zero cycle to interior design. Hobbies: Vocals, psychology, quail breeding.
Greetings, my dear readers!
The design of small-sized apartments almost always takes into account the arrangement of different functional areas in one space.
In your own home, the volume of which is determined only by you, you can afford to allocate isolated rooms for a guest room, kitchen, bedroom, dining room, nursery, office. There is no such possibility in a small apartment. There is a strict rule here: if you want the maximum of functional areas, divide the space that already exists. I will give vivid examples.
- As a rule, they want to combine a tiny kitchen and living room in order to save precious centimeters of space.
- A separate case is poor families with children. They have no choice but to give one room to their beloved child (so that he can grow up peacefully), and in the second room to organize real bedlam: at the same time both the parent’s bedroom and guest room, and a dining room and an office.
I really want to make the situation easier for owners of small apartments, so I bring to your attention specific recommendations and design solutions that I have accumulated over 20 years of construction activity.
How to get extra living space
First of all, when working on the interior design of your small apartment, think about methods to expand its usable space. Only then start choosing for the premises color scheme, furniture and accessories.
At the moment, many options have been invented for remodeling cramped dwellings and changing the geometry of rooms:
- connecting balconies, hallways, storage rooms, corridors to them;
- moving the kitchen to the loggia;
- combining it with the living room;
- expansion of the bathroom due to the hallway, etc.
The choice of a specific method depends on the configuration, layout and features of your apartment. So, what can I advise you here?
In most cases, a loggia or balcony is used as a storage room for unnecessary things: old skis, sleds, bicycles, as well as waste paper, glass containers, broken furniture, etc.
- However, if you attach a loggia to a living space, then on its area you can arrange an office, a relaxation area, a dining room, or quite comfortable kitchen and even a bedroom.
I want to warn you in advance that this simple and effective method of expanding the living space of an apartment in practice has its pitfalls when implemented.
The main snag here is that the connection of a balcony and a loggia is strictly regulated by the Housing Code of the Russian Federation.
- Difficulties are usually caused by dismantling the window partition, widening the opening between the balcony and the living space, as well as moving the battery. Permission must be obtained for this.
- However, all these difficulties can be overcome. Save and use some of the supports between the loggia and the room. For example, they can be converted into a bar counter, columns, shelves, racks.
- To maintain an established microclimate in the house, install a transparent partition.
Tip #2: Combine the kitchen and hallway (hallway) with the living room
The design of a small one-room apartment is often formed by combining a kitchen and a guest room. A similar studio option for organizing living space is now popular in our country, and not just in the West.
When combining a living room and a kitchen, all the same rules and requirements stated in the Housing Code apply:
- For example, the law prohibits the removal of load-bearing walls and structures, as well as the placement of “wet” areas above the living quarters of neighbors living on the lower floors.
- It is almost impossible to obtain permission for a branch gas pipe from the riser. Based on this, when moving the kitchen to the loggia or living room, it is better to immediately install an electric hob.
Almost unused square meters of the corridor or hallway can be combined with a guest room. This option will make it possible to significantly expand the volume of living space. As a rule, a kitchen area is set up in the attached area.
Tip #3: Populate the vertical space more actively
- Arrange a second level in it, for example, use two-tier furniture.
- The second tier can also be organized using mezzanines. They can be practically a salvation for a small apartment. Engage similar option in the children's room if you have two children.
- This solution is quite appropriate if the apartment is one-room. Then the mezzanine will play the role of a sleeping place (the so-called “attic” bed).
Tip #4: Use wall niches and window sills
When organizing the space of a small apartment, try to make the most of every niche.
- For example, you can install a built-in wardrobe in a wall recess.
- You can also put a kitchen set or a sofa there (if the niche is large enough). This will make it possible to free up an additional area in the living room.
When recreating the interior of a small home, make optimal use of every centimeter of its space.
- Give up unnecessary frills, such as window sills, in favor of a compact work table or a seat for reading and relaxing.
- Typically, a window sill, due to its small size, is used as a stand for flower pots or completely empty. When replacing windows, equip them wide window sills. Then they can be used as functional elements.
- The design of small kitchens for small apartments will complement work zone, placed by the window. If the family is small, the window sill can be transformed into dinner table ik.
- In the living room it can easily be turned into workplace or a desk.
- The free space under the window sill can be turned into a storage system by placing a small cabinet, shelves, or racks there.
Tip No. 5: sliding, folding partition doors and thin radiators
- Sliding and folding doors, unlike their counterparts with swing doors, open form take up virtually no space. For a small apartment their installation will be optimal choice.
- Another example of rational use of space. Replace massive heating radiators from cast iron to compact and modern analogues, for example, aluminum, bimetallic. This way you can free up about 10 centimeters along the walls.
You can increase the thermal efficiency of such a device.
For this purpose, mount a heat-reflecting screen made of foil on the wall where the battery is installed.
How to visually expand space
As a rule, when decorating the interior of homes, it is necessary to use means of visual correction of the room space. Naturally, these methods do not actually increase the volume of the premises. This way you will not add physical space. But thanks optical illusions reproduce the visual effect of expanding rooms.
In this part of creating a small apartment design, I can recommend the following to you:
First of all, choose the right color scheme for the premises:
- All light and cool colors, tones and shades can visually expand the room. This rule applies to floors, walls and ceilings, as well as furniture. All dark and warm colors, tones and shades affect the viewer in exactly the opposite way.
- Bright accessories and decorative details can diversify the color palette of the interior.
- Color accents and dark contrasting inserts will prevent the degradation of home design into an inexpressive, monotonous light spot. At the same time, remember that prevailing dark tones will “absorb” the space of the room, that is, it will visually shrink.
- Light colors and tones work especially effectively in combination with panoramic window sides and. They reflect the sun's rays well, making the room optically appear lighter and larger in area.
Khrushchev's houses had cramped and low rooms.
Choose wallpaper with a striped pattern for them; it will help visually adjust the volume of the room.
Horizontal stripes will make the room longer, and vertical stripes will “raise” the ceiling.
Tip #7: the more glass and mirrors in the interior, the better
A good choice for a small-sized interior is large mirrors, sometimes they occupy the entire plane of the wall. Such a reflective surface perfectly expands the space, of course only visually.
- If you place two on opposite walls large mirrors, they will create a real corridor of additional “space”.
- Floor-to-ceiling mirrored door panels on a wardrobe can add “half” the volume to the room.
- A mirror located opposite the windows, reflecting the rays of the sun, will make the room brighter.
- Try not to use blind doors and fronts on furniture. Make cabinet doors, racks, shelves, door panels, countertops, etc. transparent - glass or plastic. This will make it possible to unload the space and fill it with light.
Tip #8: A Few More Tricks to Play with Space
- Avoid massive and dark solid wood furniture. They will “eat up” the entire space.
- Change volumetric chandeliers with sconces, built-in and spotlights with your own hands.
- In general, the more light in the rooms, the better. A well-lit room seems more spacious.
- If you mount a glossy tension structure on top, it will increase the height of the walls and relieve you of the feeling of a “pressing” ceiling.
- Insert French windows to the floor. They will make the room brighter, fill it with air and lightness.
Methods for zoning a small apartment
In the case of the design of small-sized dwellings, the same room can be intended for different purposes, that is, carry several functions. Based on this, it becomes necessary to distinguish different zones. This is what I can recommend to you as a means of this very distinction.
Stationary partitions are a simple and convenient means for zoning rooms.
- Such a partition will be especially indispensable if the apartment is a studio, then you will simply need to differentiate sleeping area and a guest area.
In order not to interfere with natural light, I advise you to use transparent, lattice, patterned, low or narrow (not the entire space between the walls) partitions that allow the rays of the sun to pass through. - You can also use mobile sliding partitions. Typically, they are used between the kitchen and living room or between the guest room and bedroom. Such partitions do not at all interfere with the view of the living room from the kitchen and vice versa. However, both zones appear isolated.
A screen can decorate not only the “Japanese” or “Chinese” interior of a small apartment. She looks great in neoclassical aesthetics too. In practice, it can be used to divide, for example, a relaxation area and a boudoir in a bedroom. In the living room, a screen will outline the boundaries of the office, and if it is combined with the kitchen, then the dining area.
- Curtains and drapes are the simplest and most versatile means of zoning. They are effective not only for residential premises. If the bathroom is large enough, a curtain will help separate the area for hygiene procedures from the mini-boudoir.
- If you want the interior to look airy, choose a curtain made of light translucent fabric. When you need to recreate the look of a blank partition, use dense material.
Instead of a stationary partition, you can choose through shelving and consoles to delimit the space into functional zones. Thanks to this technique, there appear in the room additional systems storage
Tip No. 12: a podium will delimit zones and help store things
Podiums can be found in the interiors of apartments decorated in both historical and modern styles.
- This structure is perfect for arranging a bed in baroque or classic aesthetics. For example, you can put a canopy bed on it.
- The living room, kitchen and loggia can also be separated by a podium.
- When choosing a modern style, you can hide a roll-out bed inside the podium. At night it can be placed on a raised platform, and during the day it can be removed and a dining area can be set up on it by placing a table and chairs.
- As a rule, on the line of the boundaries of the guest room and kitchen area The dining table is set up. It marks and forms the dining area, and at the same time plays the role of a means for zoning the area.
- In addition to the dining table, to mark the boundary of the food preparation area, you can also use a bar counter or a furniture kitchen island. They will provide an opportunity to create an area in your home for quick and light snacks.
What should the furniture be like?
The problem of lack of space in small apartments can be solved to some extent with the help of furniture.
In tight spaces, it is better not to use bulky, large items.
Choose easily transformable and mobile furniture.
Folding sofas, two-level structures, objects of simple, ascetic shapes in modern styles are optimal.
Tip #14: Bunk Beds and Convertibles
The photo shows a children's room with a bunk bed-wardrobe.
The bedroom in small apartments is usually very small. A bunk bed in it will perfectly save space:
- Most often, such structures are installed in children's rooms for two or more children. In a room equipped for one child, such a structure will also serve well. For example, on the lower level there can be not only a sleeping place, but a sofa, a storage system, or a work, play, or study area.
- Transformable furniture is welcome in the interior of small rooms. Yes, it could be folding sofa, additionally playing the role of a bed. Thanks to it, the guest area can easily be converted into a bedroom at night.
- There are also wardrobe beds, transforming tables, “attic” beds, etc. All these pieces of furniture are great for saving space.
- When arranging your interior, you cannot do without organizing basic systems for storing things. Most often these are cabinets. The best option is if their housings are built-in. This way you will avoid overcrowding the space.
- Chairs made in a modern style have a mobile and lightweight design. That's why I recommend you use them for your small apartment. For example, folding chairs are perfect for a combined dining room and kitchen. You can easily fold and put them away as needed.
- I will give you one more recommendation: select pieces of furniture (armchairs, sofas, ottomans, tables, chairs) with graceful and thin legs. They look easier and smaller than their solid counterparts.
- Transparent furniture is an excellent choice for small spaces. It will “dissolve” in the rooms, making them visually freer.
Now manufacturers offer many aesthetic models from tempered glass, acrylic, plexiglass. This furniture is quite durable, safe and does not require special care.
My main instruction regarding furniture in a small apartment: think outside the box. Limited space should force you to find innovative and interesting solutions.
At the same time, do not forget that furniture should be multifunctional, technologically advanced and comfortable. I will give examples for clarity:
- A hanging modular cabinet will solve the problem of storing things and will needlessly take up empty space above the sofa
- Use shelving instead of bedside tables. They take up the same volume, but the latter are much more spacious.
- Don't let the areas near the doors sit empty. Hang a shelf on top, and place a couple of narrow shelves on both sides of the canvas.
- If children or elderly people live with you, place one or two box-shaped poufs in the hallway. They will be comfortable to sit on while taking off or putting on outdoor shoes. And inside you can store small useful things.
What style to choose for the interior
I want to warn you right away that even if the small-sized two-room apartment, its design will not be successful based on historical styles(antiquity, baroque, rococo, empire, classic). These areas require spacious rooms, high ceilings, massiveness, richness of furniture and decor.
On the contrary, neoclassicism, modern styles, and unpretentious Provence do not need either a pompous interior or a suite of huge rooms.
Tip No. 17: neoclassical is good for small spaces
And in a small apartment you can find a place for classical aesthetics, glorifying the rich aristocracy of the decor, the naturalness of the decoration and the spaciousness of the living space. In this case, you can use a modern branch of the style, in other words, neoclassicism.
It allows the use of artificial materials in the decoration of rooms and furniture, as well as the use of modest decorative details. Using neoclassical design techniques, you can recreate the atmosphere of a cozy and aristocratic home even in a small apartment.
Modern styles are optimal for decorating very small-sized homes. The most popular among them are minimalism and hi-tech. These trends are characterized by laconic lines in the compositions, as well as some asceticism and ergonomic solutions.
The interiors of small apartments, decorated in modern styles, do not accept lavish decoration. The furniture in them is characterized by simplicity of form, the color scheme tends to be monochrome.
Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau, as it is more often called by designers, is another modern style. Nowadays it is rarely found in its pure form.
As a rule, only individual aesthetic elements of this direction are added to the interior of the premises. If approached correctly, modernism will help transform a small home into luxury apartments, without significant investment.
Tip #19: for those nostalgic for the past - design “a la 60s”
The style “a la 60s” is now at the peak of fashion. It will be the best choice for those of you who cannot or do not want to invest serious money in home renovation.
This direction will not require significant financial expenses from you; the price of its aesthetics is quite modest. The decoration and furniture here are simple, which is offset by the bright colors and stylish decorative elements.
This direction will fill small rooms with the fresh and natural colors of nature in the south of France. It will bring the rustic comfort of a European province to the interior of the apartment.
Provence combines the simplicity of village life and bohemian gloss. The style to some extent reproduces the ideas of the aristocracy about country life. By choosing Provence to decorate your apartment, you will recreate a cozy and aesthetic interior, which you won’t be ashamed to show off to your guests.
- Multi-level ceilings. Using such designs, and even with built-in lighting, you can clearly outline the transitions from one zone to another.
- Modular furniture, shelving or wardrobes. They are used not only to highlight individual zones, but also to isolate them. These tools can be used, for example, to separate a place for work or rest.
- Plasterboard partitions. They do not have to be equipped all the way to the ceiling. Gypsum plasterboards lend themselves well to all types of processing, so you can use them to create structures of a wide variety of configurations.
- Sliding panels. They have one important advantage - you can remove the partition when it is not needed, and put it back up again if you need to isolate some space for a while.
- Screens, as well as mobile partitions, made of lightweight plastic or aluminum profiles.
- replacing bulky “walls” and voluminous cabinets with functional built-in, mobile or folding furniture;
- use of partitions made of transparent or frosted glass. You can also install large mirrors in the room;
- replacing interior doors with light and weightless arched openings made in a variety of styles;
- reduction in the number of decorative elements.
- the presence of untreated structures made of natural wood;
- use of sections of brick walls without any finishing in the interior. It must be noted that despite the absence of any additional design, they must be kept in perfect order;
- use as flooring wooden parquet or boards, laminate, stylized as natural wood. It is also acceptable to use self-leveling floors, which are popular today;
- painting ceilings White color. Thanks to this, the room becomes much lighter and more spacious;
- use for ceiling space decoration electric cable, construction beams, pipes engineering communications. Again, all this must be brought into perfect order, but not completely neglected;
- applying beautiful graffiti to non-wooden or brick walls.
- Art Deco. Recognizable features of this trend include the mandatory presence of a beautiful and most accurate geometric pattern on the ceiling, a contrasting color scheme (in a small apartment, light colors should still prevail, which allow you to visually expand the space), the use of elegant design elements from expensive natural materials.
- High tech. Style high technology ideal for a small apartment, as its main principle is functionality on every square meter. The vast majority of design elements in this direction are made of stainless steel, chromed metal and glass. The use of a large number of different types is encouraged household appliances and electronics. Zoning of premises is carried out using glass mobile and stationary partitions. To visually increase the available space, mirrored, glossy plastic and other elements are used. In addition, the amount of furniture is reduced to a minimum; bulky structures are replaced with retractable, folding and transforming products.
- Laconic and effective Scandinavian style. Like the above directions, it involves the use of folding furniture or furniture that can be removed when not needed. Upholstered chairs and sofas should be upholstered exclusively from natural materials. The most preferred ones are genuine leather and cotton, suede. IN Scandinavian style It is not acceptable to use plastic windows that are fashionable in our country, so instead of them it is better to install wooden profiles that are in no way inferior, and in some aspects even superior to the notorious PVC. When finishing floors and walls, preference is also given to natural wood.
- Provence or country. Both of these seemingly different styles bring interesting rustic notes to a city apartment. Beautiful textiles, dyed wooden windows, the use of paint for finishing walls and ceilings - all these are the main characteristics of these areas.
- in long and narrow room better use linear layout. It involves the arrangement of all furniture, plumbing and household appliances along one line. A dining table and chairs are installed in the remaining space;
- if the room has a geometrically regular square shape, you can take advantage of the advantages of corner layout. It involves installing a sink in one of the corners, from which different sides storage systems with built-in storage diverge hob and an oven. The dining area is island, located in most cases in the center of the kitchen;
- peninsular layout, reminiscent of the English letter F. In addition to the corner arrangement, it also requires the presence of an additional peninsula, for which it is better to use a small bar counter. This design can not only replace a dining table, but also divide the room into a working and dining area.
Is it possible to do original design small apartment, turn it into comfortable, modern and stylish housing? Yes, you are unlikely to be able to expand an existing area.
However, today there are a large number of examples confirming that with a responsible approach to business, it is quite possible to achieve the desired result.
We highlight the main functional areas
The first step to success in creating modern design The interior design of a small one-room apartment is a competent division of the premises into several functional zones. You will first need to carry out a redevelopment, combine the living room with the kitchen, and also add a loggia and balcony to them.
After this, you can begin zoning, using the following means for this purpose:
What zones should be allocated in the home after redevelopment?
The most basic of them are a sleeping place, a space for cooking and eating (improvised kitchen and dining room), a living room with a TV and soft sofa for the whole family. Depending on your needs, you can also separate a small office or library.
You get practically unlimited possibilities, if you want to create an original interior design for a small two-room apartment.
In this case, you can either combine both rooms together, or create a completely private area in one of them, designed for work and relaxation.
If you look at a photo of the interior design in a small apartment, you will be able to see what the owners of such housing in the vast majority of cases use for decoration bright hues. This is logical, since this approach allows you to visually increase the available space.
This method is especially effective in combination with the following techniques:
Another way to visually increase space in a small room is to use small spotlights instead of huge chandeliers.
Thanks to this approach, the ceiling becomes higher, and the home itself becomes much more comfortable.
Styles and directions
Today, small home owners can choose from a range of decorating styles. Particularly popular, for example, is loft design in the interior of a small apartment.
It assumes the presence of free spaces without partitions and walls, as well as the use of industrial elements that visually expand the room.
Characteristic features of the loft style include:
Loft style design also means a minimum number of unnecessary decorative elements.
The main feature of this style is functionality, so every detail should provide at least one useful option.
Such style solutions as:
After looking at photos of interior design and renovation in a small apartment, you can see that many people manage to decorate the premises in a chic, classic style that requires large areas.
The most difficult stage in development design design small apartment is to renovate the kitchen.
It requires a special approach, since this room should not only look beautiful, but also provide comfortable cooking.
To get rid of the disgusting cramped space, it is best to replace ready-made sets with custom-made furniture.
It makes it possible to leave significantly more space for working and dining areas.
In addition, you can rationally use the window sill (installing household appliances, using it as an extension of the countertop or its alternative), as well as the space under it (storing food, canned food, kitchen utensils).
Under the structure itself they are often built convenient systems storage
