Panel Khrushchevs are notorious for their small rooms, odd layouts and low ceilings. They are of little use for a major overhaul and don't look particularly inspiring. Is this a familiar problem? We are ready to help with its solution! Consider a few tricks and ideas for decorating a living room in a Khrushchev building. Take note!
Living room zoning in Khrushchev
To make a small living room really comfortable and functional, you cannot do without zoning. But the choice of solutions for Khrushchev is not so great, because partitions, massive wardrobes, volumetric curtains and even sliding screens take up space.
- The easiest way to zoning is to arrange furniture on an island. A soft corner with a TV and bookshelves - separately, a work area - separately, a green corner - separately.
- Local illumination is a tool just for you. Make independent lighting of individual zones, and it will in itself define their boundaries.
- Combine different colors and use accents: a rug by the sofa, one bright wall against a neutral background, textile decoration.
- A radical solution is the demolition of walls or partitions. Most often, living rooms in Khrushchev are combined with a balcony or kitchen. Consider only that in the first case you will need high-quality thermal insulation, and in the second - an exhaust hood and ventilation.
- If you want to leave a plasterboard partition or a podium - use them for business. There you can build niches, drawers, pull-out boxes or whole modern storage systems.
Finishes and materials
When choosing finishing materials, take into account two nuances: you will need something as compact and not cumbersome as possible. And at the same time - something that will hide the defects and irregularities inherent in all Khrushchevs, without exception.
Walls
For walls, there are two main options, depending on your preference:
- Make the entire living room completely monochromatic to visually unite and lighten the space. Use ordinary light paint, textured plaster, monochrome wallpaper;
- Use accents to zone the space and visually reshape it. For example, one bright wall in an elongated living room will make it visually spacious and smoother. Use paint, decorative stone, wallpaper, brick wallpaper or wood paneling.
Floor
The most versatile solution for the floor in the living room in Khrushchev is a laminate. Choose a light collection with a pronounced wood texture - and it will immediately breathe life and comfort into the room.
Pay attention to linoleum, because now it is fundamentally different from the old boring brown coating. Some designs are almost indistinguishable from real stone or wood.
If your budget allows, choose parquet. But it is better to use light rocks, because with dark colors in small rooms you need to be very careful.
Ceiling
The ceilings in Khrushchevs are quite low, so avoid bulky structures. But this does not mean that you need to completely abandon drywall and stretch canvases. Moreover, they hide all defects and differences in height, which would still have to be equal.
An excellent trick is two-level stretch ceilings. This is one of the most affordable zoning methods for a small living room in Khrushchev. Make a separate tier above your work area or seating area.
Choose light-colored materials, and ideally glossy ones. This is a classic way to visually enlarge a room and add light. But with obvious contrasts, you should be careful not to make the room even cramped.
Lighting
The best "friend" in the living room in Khrushchev is complex multi-level lighting. Ditch the one massive chandelier concept and use a series of recessed spotlights. You will see, the room will be transformed before our eyes.
To save space, replace massive floor lamps and table lamps with compact wall sconces, use lighting wherever possible. LED strips and built-in mini-lamps are good in niches, cabinets, on shelves, among shelves, when decorating plasterboard structures.
Living room furniture in Khrushchev
The living room in Khrushchev is small and cramped, even if combined with a kitchen or balcony. Therefore, think in advance what kind of furniture you need, and give up all that is superfluous.
Use the entire wall when choosing shelves and shelves. Install them from floor to ceiling, because the gaps on top visually "cut" the height. Examine the layout: sometimes it is better to completely occupy one wall and unload all the others.
Give up bulky sideboards, wardrobes, outdated walls and all the rubbish in the living room. Do not use massive dressers and TV stands. Choose the most ergonomic and lightweight designs: glass, light wood, metal, rattan, wicker elements.
Headsets in the modern style, hi-tech, minimalism, in the Scandinavian style look good. They are as laconic and elegant as possible, but at the same time functional. But massive decorative furniture in classic styles is already too much.
Selecting a soft corner
To save space in a small living room, replace the classic sofa set with armchairs for a compact corner sofa. If necessary, it can be expanded into an extra bed. And in the assembled state - fold underwear or other things inside.
Do not take too bulky structures with a massive back or sides. Simple geometric sofas with laconic textile upholstery look good. Too pretentious textures, such as velvet, jacquard or leather, are too complicated for a small living room in a Khrushchev building.
Color spectrum
Choose light colors as the basis for the living room in Khrushchev. But you can place the accents at your discretion. The main thing is not to overdo it with combinations: no more than 2-3 bright colors in one interior.
White living room in Khrushchev
White is the simplest and most obvious option for a small living room in Khrushchev. It has always been and will be a safe base for any experiments with transitions, contrasts and accents. And if you want something more original, pay attention to creamy, milky, grayish shades.
Brown living room in Khrushchev
The colors of natural wood are always versatile and practical, therefore they fit into both classic and modern interiors. But the brown palette doesn't end there! At your service are coffee, cinnamon, chocolate, taupe, terracotta shades.
Gray living room in Khrushchev
Gray quickly burst into fashion as a stylish alternative to boring white and beige. Contrary to stereotypes, it is by no means boring, because it is presented in many warm and cold shades. Especially gray is good for modern living room interiors: contemporary, hi-tech, minimalism.
Green living room in Khrushchev
Green is the most natural color, so its natural shades go well with any others. It simultaneously relaxes and invigorates, improves mood, creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. And the variety of shades of green allows you to experiment with interpretations.
Pastel living room in Khrushchev
Pastel shades in a small living room in Khrushchev have two main advantages. Firstly, they are all light and neutral, therefore visually expanding the room. Secondly, they all go well with each other, which is convenient for color experiments and zoning.
Styles for the living room in Khrushchev
To make the living room in Khrushchev comfortable and functional, it is better to use modern styles. After all, most of them are just focused on combining simplicity, ergonomics and functionality.
Scandinavian style in the living room
He came into fashion relatively recently, but already in the first year he gained insane popularity. And not in vain, because it is cozy, warm, beautiful, laconic and relatively budgetary.
Use light pastel shades, aged wood, natural fabrics, rough raw textures. Do not forget about the little things: a romantic plaid blanket and pillows on the sofa, living plants in flowerpots, cute handmade details.
Modern living room in Khrushchev
The modern style of the interior perfectly combines restraint and functionality. It is simple and sophisticated at the same time, because minimalistic forms are combined with interesting textures.
For a living room in a modern Khrushchev, use restrained colors, but juicy accents; classic natural wood, but modern design. Multifunctional storage systems, sliding doors and doors, the "push to open" system will organically fit here.
Mediterranean style in the living room
The Mediterranean style is both ascetic and exotic for our latitudes - just what you need for a living room in a Khrushchev. Choose light textured plaster, natural wood and bamboo, cotton and linen.
A characteristic feature - natural natural shades: delicate blue, sea wave, turquoise, sand, ocher, lavender, green, olive, brown. And all this is set against a neutral white background.
Minimalistic living room in Khrushchev
The main advantage of modern minimalism is its diversity. Despite its popularity, it is difficult to find two identical interiors. Use notes of futurism and cool metallic tones or light wood and warm pastel colors.
All furniture is as simple as possible, without decorative fittings, carvings, complex backs, handles and legs. Built-in and monolithic structures look good. A bright accent will add colors: a carpet on the floor, a panel on the wall, an elegant composition of succulents.
Neoclassicism in the living room in Khrushchev
While classic interiors require space, they are difficult to give up entirely. Too old and familiar tradition has long been rooted in everyday life, even in the Khrushchevs.
But the classics can be rethought and modernized. This is how neoclassical interiors look like, which have incorporated modern functionality and ergonomics in combination with classic forms, configurations, materials, symmetry.
Living room design in Khrushchev - photos of real interiors
Before making any renovations, carefully consider the different styles and layouts. And to make it easier for you, we have selected this collection of photos of living room designs in Khrushchev. Get inspired!