Residents of small apartments are accustomed to the fact that every centimeter of usable space must be used so that there is no lack of free space in the room. A one-room converted apartment with a harmonious design calculated to the smallest detail can easily compete with spacious apartments.
A well-chosen layout, zoning, unusual design solutions will turn a modest home into a comfortable and beautiful one.
Features of the layout
The main task of designers when arranging a small room is to visually increase the usable area. That is why the initial stage of interior design is redevelopment, the purpose of which is to hide the flaws of the apartment. Series of houses can have significant differences in the area of apartments, their layout, therefore, an individual approach is required for each individual interior. A rational solution can be a complete redevelopment of the premises: removal of some parts of the walls or partitions. It is important to remember that it is strictly forbidden to touch the supporting structures.
The design of a 1-room apartment should be planned with space expansion in mind. Here are some guidelines for increasing your living space:
- Combining a room and a loggia. Complete dismantling of the wall is not necessary; it is enough to demolish the window block and turn the rest of the wall into a functional space divider.
- Re-equipment of a balcony or loggia into an office, dining room or bedroom.
- Arrangement of the second tier in an apartment with a ceiling height of 3 meters. On such a second floor, you can arrange a sleeping place, and under it - a recreation area or a wardrobe.
- Use wide windowsills as bookshelves, flower beds or work tables.
- Re-equipment of the pantry into a dressing room. This solution will significantly free up space in the apartment.
Layout options
You need to start redevelopment with the transformation of the living space. This will allow you to take into account every centimeter of it and use it as fruitfully as possible. Designers offer several options for arranging small apartments, depending on the type of houses and the area of \ u200b \ u200bthe premises.
In a panel house
Panel houses, in addition to longitudinal load-bearing walls, have transverse ones. The wall between the room and the kitchen is a load-bearing wall in one-room apartments, which does not provide a wide scope for redevelopment. In such cases, you can do the following: make an opening in the load-bearing wall, increase the area of the bathroom at the expense of the corridor, build additional partitions. It is important to remember that all work requires individual consideration and approval. The main task of planning in such houses is separate the sleeping area, organize a mobile workplace and create a small living area.
These issues can be solved without interfering with the structure of the building, thanks to the zoning of the room with furniture.
Brezhnevka
Typical Brezhnevka houses provide for a load-bearing wall that adjoins the neighboring apartment. It will not work to dismantle such a wall, so one of the few ways to increase the area is to replace the doors with arches. Bathrooms in such apartments are very small, and there is not always an opportunity to put a washing machine. Smart decision - dismantle the partition between the bathroom and the toilet. This method will visually increase the space and free up useful area.
One-room
One-room apartments are often modest dwellings with a single irregular room and a small kitchen. To make such an apartment comfortable, designers are advised to give preference to an open plan. Dismantling walls and doors, providing free access to all surfaces, is the main task of an open plan.
In such apartments, nothing interferes with the free spread of sunlight, which visually enlarges the apartment. Furniture plays the role of zoning elements. It is important to remember that in a small room, the same finish must be used in all functional areas.
New buildings
Apartments in new buildings are characterized by inconvenient geometry: trapezoid rooms, options with a round wall or with a bend are absolutely impractical for life. The modern layout of apartments allows several options for combining space to solve layout problems. The most popular solution among them is connecting the kitchen to the living room. Also, preference is given to the bedroom-nursery or living room-study.
Studios
A distinctive feature of the architecture of new buildings is the design of studio apartments. The studio is a free space with a kitchen entering the living area and a separate bathroom. When creating a design for a small apartment (for example, an area of 17 sq. M.), It is better to give preference to an open plan. The transition from the kitchen area to the living room should be smooth. When planning a studio style, designers are advised to give preference to built-in appliances in order to give the home a neatness and relieve space.
Apartments ranging from 46 to 50 squares are more often studio-styled.
To make the room comfortable, in such studios zoning is necessary. To highlight the sleeping or resting area, you can install a bed, fenced off by a screen. The use of plexiglass or gypsum plasterboard structures has become widespread in the creation of partitions. In this case, preference should be given to glass surfaces that do not impede the propagation of light.
Room size
Apartments in different parts of the country may practically not differ from each other, because typical houses, as a rule, always have a standard layout. According to building codes, the minimum height of finished residential premises is recommended from 2.5 to 2.7 m. Tambour is an obligatory room with a minimum design dimensions of 1.4 x 1.4 m. Then there is an entrance hall, a comfortable area of which ranges from 6-7 to 10 m.
The size of the living room depends on the number of residents. For example, for a family of 3-5 people, it is preferable to allocate 25 square meters. It is important to remember that living rooms smaller than 17 squares are not designed.
The width of the kitchen should be taken from 1.8 m, the recommended area of this room is 12 sq. m. A separate dining room can be at least 8 square meters. m., however, it can be combined with a kitchen, which will save space. A bedroom for two people should be at least 14 squares, for one - 10 square meters. m. A toilet with a toilet and a washbasin should be 1.5 square meters. m., without a washbasin - 1.2 sq. m. The bathroom combined with the bathroom is located at 3.8 sq. m. m. apartments.
Private bathroom - 3.3 sq. m. Another, but not obligatory room is a dressing room. Usually 8 - 10 square meters are allocated for it. m. for the possibility of installing an ironing board. A two-row wardrobe must be at least 2 m wide. For storing tools and equipment in apartments, storerooms are designed with an area of 2 sq. m.
Finished apartments ranging from 33 and 37 sq. m can be in a new building (studio), an old typical house. Kitchens with 30 or more squares are spacious enough and can reach 6 square meters. m. It is customary to connect the bathroom and the bathroom, and replace the bathroom with a shower, so that you do not have to increase the area.
The interior design of 38 - 45 square meters provides for a large loggia. It can be repaired or converted into a dressing room, wardrobe and any other small space. It must be remembered that for a start, work on insulation should be carried out.
Only in this case, the loggia or balcony can be used all year round.
Repair requires preliminary preparation. The glazing of the balcony is carried out in parallel with the installation of windows. It is possible to change old communications only taking into account the new division into zones. The floor is leveled taking into account the finishing height throughout the apartment. It is also advisable to level the ceiling or install a tension one: if possible, height differences should be avoided.
Zoning
The total area of the premises must be divided into functional areas (work or children's corner, sleeping place, kitchen and dining room). Access to each of the zones must be free. The design, colors and textures of the coatings of each of the zones may differ, but the integrity of the image must be maintained in the interior. If zoning using supporting structures and partitions is impossible for some reason, the problem will help to solve well-chosen furniture.
Often, families with children need to allocate play and study space. For example, to divide the room into two parts, you can install a children's closet for storing toys and clothes. This enclosing structure performs several functions at the same time. If this option is impossible to implement, designers are advised to purchase loft bed, under which you can place a student's desk or sofa. This technique is suitable not only for a studio, but also for a vest apartment.
Another important point - separation of the sleeping area in an apartment with one room … If dimensions permit, you can completely or partially fence off the bed using a plasterboard partition. There are several options for converting a 1-room apartment into a two-room apartment (for example, installing furniture, shelves or racks). Sliding doors are also used to separate the bedroom, but this method is not always comfortable enough. Designers advise giving preference to filament curtains, which create the appearance of a separate room without cluttering the space.
If the ceiling height reaches 3 m, the division of the room can be avoided by installing a bed or work table "on the second tier". An unusual and practical solution would be to install a rising bed. There are many options for installing multi-level furniture today. Another difficulty in forming the design of a one-room apartment can be the organization of a working area. A convenient way is to expand the window sill and install the countertop.
If it is possible to customize the furniture, the worktop should be positioned over the lower parts, and the shelving should be placed on top.
You can combine a work and sleeping place: install a podium. It houses a working area, and under it is a bed that slides out by means of castors. Such a solution today is considered non-standard and rather creative. A more traditional version of the podium is sliding and lifting tabletops … In a room with a niche, there is no need to mount shelving: the shelves can be inserted into the wall opening.
The podium is well suited for the need to create two comfortable full-fledged bedrooms in one room. This option is suitable for families with a teenager or two friends. In this case, one berth is located on the podium, and a pull-out wardrobe is installed under it. The podium visually divides sleeping areas and improves the proportions of the room. But he can just as easily overwhelm the room.
Actual color solutions
A well-thought-out color scheme will visually expand the room. It is customary to give preference to light shades and warm colors, cold colors are in no hurry to use: being in such an apartment is not so comfortable and cozy. Don't overdo it with color brightness - this choice is not suitable for widespread use. Accents should be done to highlight a specific functional area.
Green, brown and different shades of blue are suitable for creating an atmosphere of relaxation in the design of a one-room apartment. These colors go well with white and pastel tones (perfect combination for highlighting a sleeping area or resting space). Light colors have a positive effect on the psychological state: yellow, beige or peach. These colors should be preferred when decorating living rooms.
Red is energizing and can cause fatigue. A pink shade can also provoke open aggression, but only a strong half of humanity. The female half of the population is pleasant and cozy in apartments with a pink design. Neutral beige and cream shades will appeal to everyone. Light-colored walls and ceilings can significantly enlarge the room.
You can complement such an interior with hidden lamps built into the ceiling. The color of the curtains should be chosen according to the color of the walls, so that the interior looks completely harmonious.
There is an opinion that the black and white interior is suitable only for office premises, but this is far from the case.
If you remember a few rules, any black and white room will emphasize the individuality of the owners, it will look expensive and elegant. Equal balance should be avoided - one color should prevail over the other. The ornament can only be combined with monochrome surfaces. A combination of several different patterns is allowed if one of them dominates.
When choosing a color scheme for a small room, preference is given to white. A beautiful visual effect is created by the combination of dark furniture and light walls and vice versa. Massive furniture looks appropriate in an interior with an ornament. If there is a bay window in the room, but there is no free access to it, it is worth using it as a place to store books. The main drawback of monochrome style room design is the need to constantly maintain cleanliness and sufficient lighting.
Such a decision not recommended for families with small children or pets.
Lighting and furnishing
A well-thought-out lighting system plays an important role in creating comfort. Light can significantly expand the space, which is an indisputable plus for small rooms. It is allowed to use various types of lighting fixtures if they are harmoniously integrated into the interior interior. The functionality of individual zones will be emphasized by local lighting. Each zone is allowed to use a separate type of lighting.
In the traditional method of setting light, the following areas of the room are distinguished:
- the lower zone is the dark side;
- medium - in terms of illumination and functionality;
- the main or upper - the most illuminated part of the room.
The above scheme is close to natural lighting and is the most physiological. There are several novelties for visually increasing space with the help of light. The room can be lengthened by highlighting one of the walls with the cold part of the spectrum. The tint will help to raise the ceiling, and the light built into them will help to push the walls apart.
In addition to general lighting on the ceiling, it is a good idea to install lamps above the bed or in the work area. Local lighting is necessary to create coziness, it is used more often than overhead lighting. Glossy panels on the walls and ceiling will help expand the space of the room, but you should not overdo it with such coatings. Installation of dimensional chandeliers in rooms with low ceilings is considered a gross violation, so you should not overload the ceiling with details.
A competent choice of furniture will be a logical addition to the interior design.
Wide beds and massive walls are not suitable for arranging small rooms, as they will only create discomfort. An alternative would be transforming or built-in furniture. This will not clutter up the space and can be folded after use.
Slide walls are an ergonomic and inexpensive option. Folding furniture makes it possible to store things, so people prefer it. Bedding can be stored in a pallet box. It is customary to get rid of unnecessary cabinets and dressers by mounting a pantry or a wardrobe built into the wall.
When choosing kitchen furniture, keep in mind its role in the family. If the room is not very popular, there is no need to purchase a large dining table. It will be more rational to buy a small folding structure.
It must be remembered that furniture plays an important role in the zoning of space. Therefore, the installation of a bar-partition will help to separate the kitchen area from the living room or bedroom. Wardrobes with mirrored facades will visually make the room wider. Free surfaces should be used to the maximum, but clutter should not be allowed.
How to visually expand the space
Many are faced with the problem of increasing the area of the room by dismantling walls or partitions. In such cases, it is better to use optical illusions to visually expand the small room. One of the most affordable options is to achieve this visual effect with wallpaper. They should be selected with small patterns or vertical stripes.
A good solution would be combining walls with wallpaper in two tones: it is preferable to make the top of the walls light and the bottom dark. The wallpaper effect in a small room can be enhanced by choosing appropriate curtains. On a dimly lit wall, wallpaper should be glued to a tone lighter than on a more illuminated plane.
In rooms with large windows, you can use curtains of a light palette made of airy fabrics. Designers advise to choose curtains that lie slightly on the floor. Bulky heavy curtains, as well as multilayer structures in tight spaces, look out of place. Vertical striped fabric adds height to the space. The use of cold shades will visually lengthen the room.
The shelves should be matched to the walls: this will add airiness to the space.
Decorating the walls of the hall with a fresco or photo wallpaper is a good option not only to increase the volume of the room, but also to add uniqueness and individuality to the style. It is better to opt for a perspective image (a bridge, a road going into the distance, or a seascape). In the nursery, above the crib, you can place the image of the heroes of fairy tales. But we must not forget that too bright colors should be avoided … Frescoes depicting heaven, a stretch ceiling in a similar range will add height to the room.
Style
The comfort and coziness of the future apartment largely depends on the competent choice of style. There are many types of apartment design, some of them will be discussed below.
Minimalism
Minimalism is one of the strictest and most restrained styles in interior design. This direction is characterized by the following principles:
- The basis is a spacious room, open plan. Rooms with partitions and an abundance of rooms transform: the space is made free. Walls that cannot be demolished are partially dismantled, replacing narrow doorways with wide arches.
- The main feature of the style is the absence of small decor. The interior should not contain objects that do not play a useful role.
- Correct geometry is preferred. The furniture design is strict and laconic with a clearly defined form. Furniture should be chosen monochromatic and without unnecessary details.
- This trend uses three basic colors in the interior: two colors are at the heart of the interior, and the third one creates accents. The most popular base colors are gray, black and white, accents are usually made with bright colors (red, yellow or blue).
- Materials should be chosen natural (polished stone or marble, tree species or glass).
Scandinavian style
This style is based on creating coziness and harmony with natural light and pastel colors. White is often chosen to visually increase the space and add sophistication to the room. Wooden surfaces complement the light interior, giving the Scandinavian style a natural balance. Tones and textures of finishing materials should have a delicate texture.
One of the most important points in design is the environmental friendliness of materials. Furniture and textiles should be of natural origin. Thanks to its structure, aluminum perfectly complements the interior. This material is usually used to make kitchen and shower accessories, doorknobs and floor lamps.
The walls are faced with natural stone or wood panels, and also covered with decorative plaster.
Loft
The loft is instantly recognizable in the interior. To design a city apartment in this style, you need to rely on the following principles:
- Only shower rooms and bathrooms can be closed. The rest of the layout should be open.
- Preference is given to panoramic skylights without curtains or curtains.
- It is not customary to paste over the walls or sheathe the walls with plastic. Bare brickwork or whitewashed concrete surfaces are the hallmarks of the loft style. Less often, surfaces are sheathed with sheets of plywood or metal.
- The floors are lined with wood or artificial marble slabs.
- The ceilings in the rooms should be high. Wires for lighting can go down them, communication pipes can pass. Sometimes special wooden load-bearing or false beams are installed.
- The high height of the room allows the installation of a second residential tier, which can be reached using a stationary or extension ladder.
- When choosing furniture, preference should be given to modern multifunctional or antique stylized.
High tech
Modern and minimalist hi-tech style requires strict geometry and open space. A strict rule that characterizes this style is the mandatory presence in the interior of a significant amount of metal, chrome and extremely innovative equipment. Hi-tech draws its inspiration from industrial structures, therefore, decor items resemble geometric shapes, and modified furniture and decorative metal pipes are ideal attributes.
When decorating rooms in this style, you must choose new technologies and modern materials … The color scheme is “cold” with a predominance of light gray shades, blue, less often black or white. It is important to remember about the prohibition of bright prints with floral images and ornaments. There can be only one bright accent in the interior.
Classic style
The classics in the interior are characterized by harmony and royal scope. In this style, observance of the rules of classicism is accepted. Particular attention should be paid to finishing materials: ceiling painting, stucco molding and friezes are welcome … The columns in the ceremonial rooms are reminiscent of Renaissance art.
Chic and color balance are important for style, so beige, olive and milky shades should be preferred.
Walls can be upholstered with fabric or decorative plaster. Furniture items should be massive but elegant. Antique furniture will add chic to the interior. Classic flowing forms are the face of style. The sofas are upholstered in velvet, cotton in noble colors or natural silk. Massive wrought iron or crystal chandeliers are an important detail, light accents should be placed correctly. Thanks to the bottom light, you can create additional coziness.
Male style
The style of a young man is a simple, practical and rational direction in design, the key characteristic of which is quick access to all the necessary things. The furniture composition does not contain cluttering details, which helps to ensure freedom of movement. The decor is more often presented in the form of paintings or models of weapons. The predominant colors are white, black or gray tones, emphasizing severity.
There are almost no graceful folds or rounded corners in this business interior. Combined with household appliances, square and rectangular objects add aggression to the interior. It is not customary to install decorated chandeliers on ceilings, preference is given to floor lamps or sconces … Such devices must provide sufficient illumination without standing out from the general background.
Helpful tips and ideas
An important requirement for the hallway in a one-room apartment is the location of the closet with clothes. If the doors of the dressing room are faced with glass, the room will look more spacious. A mirrored front door will not only create the illusion of a long corridor, but also complete the look. If the bathroom does not allow the installation of a washing machine, it is rational to take it out and build it into the closet.
Fake walls with a reflective panel or window can be placed opposite the entrance to the room (if it becomes necessary to fence off any room). Such a visual barrier does not burden the interior.
A good option for those who do not spend a lot of time preparing food is the American style of planning. An open kitchen at the entrance will help enlarge the bedroom. Do not forget: like any redevelopment, such a solution requires approval and compliance with the following technical conditions. Demolition of the main wall and dismantling of the stiffening frame are not allowed.
To preserve the bearing capacity of the building, it is necessary to pre-strengthen the partition with the future opening.
Massive tables in a small living room look bulky. It is better to give preference to the option without corners, allowing more people to be accommodated. And those who rarely arrange gala dinners can replace the dining table with a coffee table or work table. Multifunctional furniture is the key to success in saving space in small spaces.
The feeling of air in the apartment is created by glossy white surfaces. But do not limit yourself solely to this color. Shades of ivory, milky or cream are also suitable. A reflective dark floor will help to significantly deepen the room and set off light facades. You can afford dark walls without visually reducing the space if you use light furniture in the interior. With this option, you need to choose a deep matte color.
Errors
To create a good design, the following common mistakes should be avoided:
- Dark paints are not suitable for large surfaces (walls or ceilings). Such a palette will make the space dark and compressed.
- It is rational to place flowers in pots on walls or on shelves, and not to clutter up window openings with them. Nothing should block the penetration of natural light.
- The steps of the multilevel ceiling are placed above the functional areas, and not above the center of the room. Otherwise, the atmosphere will be depressing.
- With a limited budget, it is better to opt for discreet colors and simple finishing materials. Cheap materials, stylized as expensive ones, look losing and deprive the interior of harmony.
- Particular attention should be paid to the selection of interior doors. Glass inserts of complex shapes are replaced with traditional arched or rectangular inserts.
- Avoid placing wallpaper with a repeating pattern around the entire perimeter of the room. A dynamic print will look beneficial only in the hallway area.
Choice of finishes
The correct finishing of the apartment is selected individually, depending on the functional purpose of the zone. It is important to keep a few factors in mind. First, the material should not be toxic. Secondly, the finish must be matched under the conceived design and not to violate the composition of all rooms as a whole.
Wallpaper is considered to be the most budget option. The indisputable advantage of this material is its wide color palette and ease of use. There are several characteristics by which a material is chosen.
The paper version is suitable only for living rooms, since such wallpapers do not tolerate moisture, washable wallpapers are suitable for any premises.
The non-woven coating is made on the basis of cellulose, so it is distinguished by its elasticity and wear resistance. Small defects are practically invisible on such wallpaper, therefore it is preferable to decorate the walls of children's rooms, corridors and foyers with them. Due to the variety of textures, non-woven fabric is suitable for various styles and design solutions. The outer layer of textile wallpaper consists of fabric, which helps to absorb extraneous noise and retain heat.
Due to its special composition, the resistance to sunlight is increased. This product is usually used to decorate the living room when rich decoration is needed.
Fiberglass is also often used as a cladding material. This coating is durable and is made, as a rule, from environmentally friendly raw materials, therefore it is resistant to microbes and mold. Such wallpaper can be glued into damp rooms. And they do not cause allergies. They are often used as a base coat for subsequent painting.
Today, one of the most expensive, but also the highest quality coatings is cork. With excellent sound insulation, cork wallpaper is an excellent choice. Soft shades of ocher will complement the design of bedrooms or hallways. Wood cladding has been popular for many years, and even now its popularity continues to grow. Wood is widely used in various styles, but many continue to associate it with the interiors of Russian houses.
It is convenient to use decorative plaster to obtain an unusual effect in the decor of premises. It usually contains stone chips, cement, and other natural materials. Mineral plaster is suitable for the bathroom (due to its high resistance to moisture). Acrylic coating is much easier to apply due to its high resin content.
Examples of the design of a one-room apartment
Integrity is the main thing in the interior of such an apartment. Much attention is paid to the color combination and furniture arrangement. The dressing room is separated by special sliding doors. Zoning is carried out using fabric curtains. Mirrors for visual expansion of the room are mounted opposite light sources.
The interior is equipped with compact transformer furniture, armchairs and sofas have compartments for storing things you need.
Kitchen
Built-in appliances save space. For example, the oven is built into a kitchen set, and not under the hob. Such vertical placement takes up less space (compared to horizontal placement). The room serves as a working and kitchen area at the same time. The bar counter serves as a kind of a partition for honey in these territories. Since the living area is combined with the kitchen area, there is an overlap in style and color.
Modular furniture
It is better to replace the bed with a folding sofa. Designers advise to give preference to modular furniture, because it has not only a single modern style, but also versatility. A variety of ways to rearrange modules allows you to get different compositions. Also, such a system can be easily supplemented with any other necessary elements. The overall space of the room can be changed with modular furniture without having to dismantle the walls.
Catwalk in modern design
Every square centimeter is involved in this interior. The catwalk has recently become widespread in design. Such interesting designs allow you to modify the space and increase its usable area. The working one is located at the top of the podium, and it itself acts as a pull-out bed. Thanks to the second level, in space the rest corner is separated from the total volume of the room.
This choice is inherent in small apartments or studios. Multilevel floors not only solve the technical or functional issue of furnishing a room, but also draw attention to themselves. The combination of wood cladding with elegant interior elements evokes a feeling of comfort and coziness. Important to remember: it is better not to combine the podium with the attic: due to the lack of height, the room will look compressed.
Lawyer V. Lygin will tell you how to legalize the redevelopment of an apartment in the next video.