Redevelopment of Khrushchev: real interior photos and diagrams

Apartments located in Khrushchev buildings have a very small area, despite the presence of three or four rooms. In this regard, for a comfortable stay and arrangement, it would be logical to carry out redevelopment, but first you should understand the intricacies of this process.

Khrushchev apartments are not always convenient for family living, so often the owners of such apartments decide to redevelop them.

What is redevelopment and how to arrange it

Redevelopment is any change in the configuration of partitions in a living space. It is recommended to first draw up a reconstruction project, conduct a harm assessment and approve the changes, and only then proceed to action.

It is important to understand that redevelopment should in no case affect load-bearing walls. It will also not be possible to agree on an increase in the area of ​​the kitchen, bathroom or toilet if it is planned to be done not at the expense of technical premises. This is due to the high humidity of these rooms, which is why they cannot be placed above living rooms.

A distinctive feature of Khrushchev-era apartments is their small area, and four-room apartments have an irrational use of living space.

Note! It will be possible to approve an increase in the specified premises at the expense of a corridor or hallway only if a partition is initially installed in the latter, then formalized as a redevelopment. In this case, the fenced off part will not be considered living space according to the documents.

Increasing the kitchen area has the following limitations:

• cannot be made at the expense of the bathroom;
• when affecting a living room, it is prohibited to place kitchen equipment and plumbing fixtures in its area;
• Connecting the kitchen to the living room is prohibited if it has a gas stove.

It is better to bypass the last point not by changing the stove to an electric one, but by installing sliding doors.

Before redevelopment, it is necessary to draw up a project plan, for the execution of which you can contact the BTI, the State Housing Inspectorate or the author of the project of the building itself. These options are more acceptable than contacting private companies.

When not to legitimize

Some changes in the configuration of the apartment may not be legalized.

These include:

• glazing of loggia/balcony;
• changing the flooring to a similar one;
• installation of air conditioners and satellite dishes on the façade;
• updating of engineering communications (replacing them with similar ones in materials and characteristics);
• replacing windows without changing the opening size;
• replacement of engineering equipment with similar ones.

Features of redevelopment of a 4-room Khrushchev apartment

Remodeling a Khrushchev building in modern realities may become simply necessary, because the former need during construction to accommodate as many people as possible in an apartment no longer exists. And these houses are no longer positioned as temporary. But new housing standards have appeared, and now 60 sq m is the size of a good two-room apartment, and not a four-room Khrushchev-era apartment with a poor layout.

In most Khrushchev buildings, internal interior partitions are not load-bearing, but in four-room apartments of the late 60s this is possible due to the specific layout.

The point, of course, is not the number of square meters, but their correct use. And in this case, redevelopment is the first step towards change.

Features of old-style apartments

Initially, for Khrushchev, the layout of 4-room apartments was not systematic and particularly thoughtful, and therefore has a number of disadvantages:

• narrow utility rooms (bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, storage rooms);
• cramped living rooms with insufficient lighting due to narrow windows;
• poor noise and heat insulation;
• dim corridors;
• little convenient balconies and storage rooms;
• small combined bathrooms with insufficient space for washing machines and other equipment;
• very small kitchens;
• low mezzanines and ceilings;
• narrow passages;
• ill-conceived arrangement of living rooms and nearby restrooms.

With proper design and thoughtful zoning, any home can be made cozy.

Dimensions

In a small area, I really want to arrange a beautiful and comfortable apartment for living. Modern design ideas allow you to create a cozy interior, so design projects for apartments up to 43 sq. m is still popular. All typical two-room “Khrushchev” apartments have a similar layout and area:

• The total area is 41-48 square meters.
• Apartments up to 41 sq.m. m have adjacent rooms.
• Ceiling height is 2.5-2.6 m. In some series of houses, ceilings reach 2.7 m.
• The kitchen area varies from 4.9 to 8 m2.

Layout of an apartment of 42 sq. m is popularly called a “book”. It is considered the most unfortunate because it has small rooms, one of which is a walk-through. Apartment with an area of ​​44 sq. m already has separate rooms, but a small kitchen causes some inconvenience and requires drastic solutions. The apartment measures 45 sq. m rooms are located symmetrically, which is why they are popularly called “vest” or “butterfly”.

Redevelopment options for a 4-room Khrushchev apartment

A typical four-room Khrushchev apartment has a small kitchen, a bathroom (usually combined), a walk-through living room and three living rooms that are suitable for the role of a bedroom, an office and a nursery. If you want to change this arrangement, you can implement the following options:

1. Large living room. The Khrushchev apartment has a relatively large living room, but it can be expanded by adding one more room. This change will make the room more spacious and brighter. There are also new design possibilities.
2. Creation of a two- or three-room apartment. Here partitions between any rooms can be removed and, if necessary, new ones can be installed. This option will allow you to create a layout that is comfortable for living.
3. Creation of a studio. In this case, you can demolish only the wall between the living room and the kitchen, but you can demolish all the others (if permissible). This redevelopment is exactly in the spirit of the latest trends, and the apartment will turn out not only spacious, but also modern.
4. Fifth room. An atypical option, but if you need to have another room, it is quite possible to separate part of the living room. Or, for corner apartments with an additional window, the division can be carried out based on it. The resulting rooms will be very small, but this option is acceptable for dividing a nursery. This can be done using a low partition or a solid wall made of plasterboard.
5. Division into two apartments. Perhaps not in every home due to rooms with high humidity. It would be a good solution for two families.

Bathrooms in apartment buildings are prohibited from being placed above the living quarters of the lower floors.

Note! The strength of internal partitions in panel houses is higher than in brick ones. This is worth keeping in mind when planning the scope of changes.

Reasons to start renovation work

During the construction of Soviet-era houses, the real needs of people were practically not taken into account, therefore, as soon as a real opportunity arose to change something, Russians began to make repairs en masse. Most often, the reasons for redevelopment of a three-room apartment in Khrushchev are:

• buying inexpensive housing that needs renovation - a person on the secondary market chooses a cheap apartment with an outdated layout, so that later he can make it “for himself”;
• the arrival of new family members (children, spouses or other relatives), when it is necessary to allocate a place for everyone;
• dissatisfaction with the aesthetic and functional properties of the living space.

Despite the financial costs, inconvenience and time spent on repairs, most owners still decide to start it, since this is the only chance to improve their living conditions.

Decoration of rooms during redevelopment of four-room apartments

When remodeling, you should definitely carry out a major overhaul with the replacement of old plumbing, electrical wiring and batteries. It would also be useful to prepare the apartment for decoration by leveling the walls. Further apartment design for a 4-room Khrushchev building is not so complicated.

Expansion of the bath is possible only due to the adjacent corridors.

Kitchen

It will be most convenient to use a kitchen set with an L-shaped layout. For a small kitchen, a folding table, transformable furniture and folding surfaces would be appropriate.

Even if the kitchen is combined with the living room, zoning is still necessary. It can be done very successfully by separating the finish. So, it’s worth putting different wallpapers and laying different floors.

You can use a bar counter as a border.

Since the redevelopment will not change the size of the window openings, it is better to choose warm colors for decoration - white, milky, sky blue.

Living room

To visually enlarge a room, you can use techniques such as:

• the ceiling is made in lighter shades than the walls;
• the use of mirror surfaces - glossy stretch ceiling, mirror wall, mirror opposite the window;
• filling with a large number of miniature lighting fixtures, in front of mirrors.

The living room can be divided into zones using furniture, for example, to separate a corner for receiving guests or for reading and relaxing, and also to allocate a place for children.

Bedroom

It is better to select a room that is not connected to the corridor as a bedroom. In its interior it is worth using light warm colors and shades, mirror surfaces and many lamps.

All items in the rooms must be combined with the style of the interior. You should not use contrasting, bright objects, which will ultimately disrupt the overall design.

Other options

A loggia or balcony can also be used during renovation. It will not be possible to connect it to the living area, but it can be expanded by removing the front wall and window sill. You can also insulate it, install panoramic glazing and turn it into an office, relaxation area or workshop.

If there is a balcony in the living room or bedroom, you can remove the wall during planning or equip it as an additional relaxation room.

What materials to use for finishing

To finish the surfaces in a one-room Khrushchev house, absolutely any materials suitable for the chosen interior design style can be used. When choosing a design method, one should not forget about the purpose of the material and its main characteristics.

The walls will look better if you make them plain or with a natural texture. A well-chosen pattern of photo wallpaper will visually enlarge the room. These can be geometric shapes, pale landscapes. Materials that require complex installation and take up precious square footage. meters, it is not recommended to use it for wall decoration.

The simplest and most cost-effective solution for low ceilings in a one-room apartment is to paint it white and install lighting along the contour. Multi-level structures will look bulky and awkward in a small and single room. A photo print with a picture of clouds will look beautiful.

Floors can be laid with any available material. The type of coating must be selected depending on the purpose of the room. It is convenient to use tiles and linoleum in the hallway, kitchen, and bathroom. In the nursery, bedroom, living room, warm parquet and carpet would be appropriate.

Popular styles for four-room Khrushchev apartments

Thinking over a style solution is very important when planning a renovation. The redevelopment project also depends on his choice, because each of them will look appropriate only on a certain scale.

Minimalism

The most versatile option. It involves the use of geometrically strict forms with a smooth, simple surface and an almost complete absence of decorative elements. The decoration used is simple and light.

Large objects are placed so as not to restrict movement.

Japanese

It is characterized by a small amount of squat furniture, which visually increases the height of the rooms, as well as a lack of decoration and clutter.

If the living room is located near the kitchen, then you can remove the wall between these rooms.

High tech

We can say that for Khrushchev this style is optimal, and here’s why:

• mirror and glossy surfaces are used to visually expand the room;
• furniture with straight lines is selected, which allows you to emphasize individual elements;
• light colors are used;
• The apartment is equipped with built-in and multifunctional furniture, which is perfect for small sizes.

The result was a spacious room for preparing food, receiving guests and holding various celebrations.

Vanguard

This style combines the incongruous, so when choosing it, standard pieces of furniture are not used.

The peculiarity of such an interior is the mixing of colors, contrasts, sharp corners and unusual shapes.

We equip a two-room apartment with comfort

To make the space cozier and more interesting, in a two-room Khrushchev house it is worth using multi-level lighting. Spotlights in the ceiling look modern and are functional: you can route the wiring to adjust the amount of light. Local lighting deepens the space, and light directed from above emphasizes low ceilings.

Furniture placement plays an equally important role. Typically, rooms are divided into “private” and “public” areas. Even if there are more than two people living in an apartment, it is quite possible to create their own corner for everyone. For example, a bed on a podium that acts as storage and sleeping space gives a sense of privacy and seclusion.

To save space in the common area, you can use a corner sofa (it occupies a corner that is often left free), and instead of dining chairs, purchase stools (they can be easily hidden under the table).

The photo shows a living room with an original chandelier and a home theater decorated with LED strip lighting.

Decor and textiles are what give a typical two-room Khrushchev house originality. Thick curtains add coziness, but narrow the space and absorb light, so in order not to overload the room, you should choose a plain, laconic fabric. Bright decorative details (paintings, photo wallpapers with fashionable prints, accent walls) look advantageous only against a neutral background.

Redevelopment options for 4-room Khrushchev-era apartment buildings depending on area

49 sq m

To equip such a small room, you will have to make a lot of effort. Here are some options for redevelopment:

• turn the apartment into a two- or three-room apartment;
• use the storage area as part of the hallway and dressing room;
• remove the partition or make an arch between the kitchen and living room, moving the dining table into the latter;
• work on the passage room: reduce its size by creating an additional passage.

For the hall, it is advisable to use plain wallpaper. Textile wallpaper with diagonal or parallel lines will also fit perfectly into the design.

Note! For small apartments, it is worth using narrow built-in wardrobes up to the ceiling with sliding doors.

60 sq m

The following changes are suitable for such an apartment:

• connect the bathroom and toilet, expanding them due to part of the corridor;
• combine the kitchen and living room or all rooms into a studio;
• dismantle the wall between the balcony and the room;
• for the studio, use partial partitions.

If difficulties arise during the renovation and planning of a one-room space, then this problem should not arise with 4 rooms.

Types of layout

If we are talking about a two- or three-room apartment, then one of the rooms in the Khrushchev building is certainly a walk-through.

In a two-room apartment, both rooms are located on the same side. In the layout of a three-room “Khrushchev” building, several options can be distinguished:

• one large room and two very small ones;
• two rooms of equal size and one smaller;
• rooms of equal size face both sides of the house, the so-called “vest” option;
• It is very rare to find an option with isolated rooms.

Unfortunately, the old Khrushchev building stock has a lot of shortcomings. Among them, it is worth noting the small area of ​​​​the premises, uncomfortable layout, poor heat and sound insulation, lack of a garbage chute and an elevator.

Owners of apartments in the “Khrushchev” also note the positive aspects of the home, such as:

• lower cost compared to apartments in new high-rise buildings;
• a quiet courtyard with quiet neighbors - this type of housing is mostly chosen by families with children and pensioners;
• developed infrastructure - "Khrushchev" buildings are geographically located in the city center, while the new building is being built mainly on the outskirts.

In any case, using modern means in interior design or redevelopment, you can significantly transform even the most banal “Khrushchev” building, making it a comfortable place to live.

Options for surface design in a four-room Khrushchev house

Walls

For the living room, it is better to use plain or textile wallpaper with vertical lines. This pattern helps to visually enlarge the room. In addition to wallpaper, you can also use brickwork, paint or stucco. The latter can be used to emphasize certain areas. It looks good to use contrast divided horizontally.

In addition to wallpaper for the living room, you can use paint, stucco, and brickwork.

In the kitchen, special attention is paid to the work area. This can be done by covering the apron with light tiles of pastel colors without flashy patterns. The remaining walls can be covered with light textile wallpaper.

You can make a dining room from one room adjacent to the kitchen, connecting it to the kitchen with a doorway, and connecting the corridor to the bathroom.

In the bedroom, the emphasis is on peace and relaxation, for which bluish, white or light pink colors are used.

It is advisable to make different entrances in the rooms.

The hallway walls can be kept in a more formal style using wallpaper with simple geometry or painting.

You can also enlarge a small hallway room. This is done by demolishing the partition that separates it from the living room.

Note! The design of adjacent walls should match, while isolated rooms can be designed differently.

Ceiling

The ceiling design is similar for all rooms. Glossy or mirror finishes, stretch ceilings and classic whitewash look good.

The ceiling should not merge with the walls and contain beams and other structures that reduce the height.

Floor

The floor can be covered with any material - parquet, linoleum, laminate or carpet. The latter is best suited for the bedroom.

It is necessary that the color of the coating matches the color of the furniture and walls.

Color variations

White color will undoubtedly act as an ideal basis for further decoration, visually expanding the space, creating the effect of comfort and cleanliness. Making the wall in a color that imitates the texture and tone of natural wood will help to add a touch of warmth and naturalness. The choice is especially relevant for eco-interiors.

The limited size of the Khrushchev-era kitchen does not allow it to be equipped with a full-fledged dining area. You can apply a contrasting combination of yellow and purple colors in the living room, in the area where the dining table and chairs are located, by doing the decoration yourself. Wallpaper with a small floral print or geographical pattern on the surface of the wall will have a positive effect on the perception of space, helping to make it wider and more spacious.

The technique of decorating one wall in a contrasting or bright vertical stripe photo is effectively used. Thus, you can highlight one of the zones, or visually delimit the space. Conciseness and simplicity should prevail in paints. It is recommended to choose three main interior colors, and then use a play of their shades for decoration. The color of the furniture should be organically combined with the overall design.

Choosing interior color when remodeling a four-room Khrushchev house

The right choice of color can set the tone for the entire interior, so you need to choose carefully. It is worth following these recommendations:

• to visually expand the hall, light colors are used, from white to light green, as well as yellow, white or reddish lighting;
• the windows are decorated with curtains in light colors;
• It is better to decorate the bedroom in light, cool shades, while installing lighting with white or bluish light;
• For the kitchen, light warm colors are used, as well as intense and bright lighting;
• a color contrast option is possible, when the lower part of the walls is decorated in dark colors, and the upper part in light colors;
• furniture should be light brown or white.

You can use built-in wardrobes, which are distinguished by their space saving.

Note! The use of dark furniture is strongly discouraged as it will create a feeling of bulkiness and overcrowding.

Redevelopment of a Khrushchev building is not the easiest, but very interesting task. If you approach it wisely and with imagination, you can create the ideal apartment for yourself.

A multi-room Khrushchev house has many redevelopment options. Here you can create comfortable housing with an interesting layout.

Methods for zoning space

After demolishing unnecessary partitions, you must first consider the location of the functional areas. To zone a large rectangle, you can use any of the existing methods, but it is better to choose an option that takes up minimal space. More often, the division of space occurs as follows:

• Selecting areas using finishing. Floor and wall coverings that will differ in color or texture will help achieve the desired effect;
• Play of light. An original, beautiful method not only perfectly copes with the task, but also expands the space;
• Mobile screens. Thanks to portable partitions, you can privacy anywhere. They can be stored folded behind a cabinet or placed along the wall;
• Textile curtains. Great for separating a bed. At a certain border, it is enough to simply install a cornice and hang beautiful tulle;
• With the help of furniture. The simplest, but also the largest option. If there is no other way out, it is better to use tall objects to divide the space, for example, a closet that does not reach the ceiling only a few centimeters.

Price

The cost of remodeling is largely determined not by the area of ​​the apartment itself, but by the complexity of changes to it:

If repairs are made without permission

Sooner or later, a situation arises related to the sale, donation of an apartment, or inheritance. In these cases, the fact of illegal redevelopment completely prevents the possibility of conducting any legal transactions with this property.

If the repair work was carried out without violating the law, then you should begin registering unauthorized redevelopment:

• You should start by obtaining a technical opinion on the safety of the redevelopment. This is especially important for old buildings, including Khrushchev-era buildings;
• it will be necessary to complete a project or sketch of the transformations already carried out;
• then an employee from the Housing Inspectorate is invited to draw up a completion certificate;
• after this, the owner applies to the Housing Inspectorate with an application to legalize the redevelopment.

If the redevelopment was carried out in violation of the law, then the only way out is to bring the apartment’s configuration into full compliance with the technical passport of the BTI.

help in choosing a mortgage for free!

Today, almost none of the young people can answer the question of who Khrushchev is, and why many standard buildings in the former CIS are called “Khrushchev buildings.” However, during the reign of this leader, Khrushchev’s buildings were called upon to solve the housing problem and provide every family with living space.

In Soviet times, this housing was called temporary, but, as it turned out, citizens still live in it and will live for a long time. The main feature of Khrushchev apartments is cramped space and lack of comfort, so many families have long redesigned the premises inside, expanding the space of the rooms or increasing their number and creating a modern interior.

The Soviet-era Khrushchevka is a 4-12-story building and can be panel, brick or block, which imposes its own characteristics when carrying out internal reconstruction of the premises. But most often only the outer walls of the apartment are load-bearing; the rest are partitions that are easily demolished.

The most popular is the redevelopment of a 4-room Khrushchev house; its total area can range from 50–100 square meters. m. The owner can invite specialists and create a completely new modern project for the premises

. If you intend to radically change the inside of the apartment, and not just make a major renovation, you will need to obtain permission to carry out the work.

Many owners carry out redevelopment illegally, which subsequently threatens with a fine and, possibly, a requirement from the Housing Inspectorate to return the premises to its original appearance. Most often this happens if the owner has carried out reconstruction that does not comply with housing standards

. Sometimes it goes to court if the owner refuses to legitimize the changes made.

On the possibility of registration of redevelopment by citizens independently

For example, the owner will never be able to agree on changes if he decides:

• combine the kitchen, where the gas appliances are located, and the room;
• expand the bathroom or toilet into the living space;
• move the batteries to the balcony;
• and others.

But if the apartment owner submits documents in advance and acts on the basis of the approved project, then the redevelopment is legal. In the future, problems will not arise when selling housing, because all changes will be made to the technical documentation for the premises

. Therefore, it is best to immediately seek the help of specialists who will not only competently develop a new project for the premises, but will also tell you how to correctly register the changes.

Important nuances

Since the redevelopment procedure is quite expensive, many decide to do the repairs themselves, without notifying the competent authorities and without registering the changes.

As already mentioned, this will limit the future ability to make transactions with this real estate.

In addition, upon discovery of unauthorized redevelopment, the owner is required to pay a fine.

Its size depends on the status of the owner:

• individual – 2,000-2,500 rubles;
• official - 4,000-5,000 rubles;
• legal entity – up to 50,000 rubles.

Another important nuance regarding redevelopment in Khrushchev-era buildings is the need to obtain a technical opinion that it is possible to carry out redevelopment or reconstruction in the building.

This requirement is associated with the wear and tear of engineering systems and supporting structures, which may not withstand even minor transformations.

Types of buildings

There are several types of buildings that we call Khrushchev.

They differ in the materials used for the construction of load-bearing and external structures:

• panel buildings - buildings for the construction of which large reinforced concrete panels and slabs are used, their width corresponds to the height of the ceilings in the apartment;
• block - buildings made of reinforced concrete structures, the dimensions of which are smaller than the slabs, so the ceiling height in the apartment is made up of several blocks;
• brick - buildings made of bricks.

The number of floors of Khrushchev buildings may vary.

• The most common are 5-story buildings. This is the maximum height of the house at which it could not be equipped with an elevator.
• But there are also 4-9 storey, and even 12-storey Khrushchev buildings.