Design Features

Panel houses are known for their small apartment area and not always convenient layouts. Therefore, I will consider the design features of the bathroom in the context of solving the most popular difficulties in renovation:

  • The main problem of all Khrushchev-era buildings is the small area (about 3 sq. m in a combined bathroom and 2 + 1 in a separate one). Therefore, the main rule that is important to remember during the renovation is to use only the most necessary and, if possible, multifunctional items.
  • Aesthetics fades into the background. But this does not mean that the bathroom should have Spartan conditions. I recommend using styles that have clear lines and a minimum amount of decor. Ideal examples: Scandinavian and minimalism. Others are possible, of course, but it is important to maintain a balance – I will talk about this below.
  • In addition to the small size, you will also encounter the fact that the room is narrow. You can visually expand the room using mirrored, glossy surfaces, local lighting and finishing features (read below in the section on finishing). And don’t forget to use hanging furniture and plumbing to save useful meters.
  • Another problem is crooked walls. There are several options here – either budget for leveling (just not with plasterboard, otherwise there will be even less space), or use panels (budget option) or play up concrete walls in a loft style.

small bathroom

Which color is better to choose?

The most popular solution for a small bathroom is white, thanks to which the space visually seems much larger. Light shades can be used as the main background in the room decoration or diluted with dark and rich details.

A light milky and beige range will fit perfectly into the bathroom, which harmonizes favorably with white ceramic items and metal faucets, especially in gold. To make beige deeper, add chocolate or brown accents.

beige bathroom beige bathroom with gold faucet

Delicate lilac, mint, blue, cream or floral pink tones will create an incredibly soft and relaxing atmosphere in the room. Adding bright accents in tropical orange, red, yellow or green shades will help to give the atmosphere a positive feel, fill it with light and a good mood. Admit it, our Khrushchev-era apartments lack this so much.

Feel free to use the entire palette of pastel colors and you won’t go wrong. But don’t forget to add some color to avoid the interior looking boring.

white and pink bathroom blue walls in the bathroom white bathroom with blue accents

In the photo, the walls are half finished with light tiles and painted with blue paint.

blue mosaic white hog tile

The right color combinations will help you achieve a good result and create a unified interior composition. Use various combinations – from complementary colors to monochrome bathroom decoration. For example, turquoise can be combined with green, pink with purple, and yellow with light green or orange.

A universal and practical color solution for the room will be gray. On surfaces of this color, dirt, streaks and condensation are less noticeable. In a monochrome interior, it is better to install white plumbing and add warm notes in the form of colorful elements.

white and gray bathroom combined bathroom with pink and gray tones white bathroom with lilac accents

Layout

Standard room dimensions are:

  • ceilings no less than 2.5 meters high,
  • length no less than 1.2 meters
  • and width no less than 0.8 meters.

In Khrushchev-era buildings, combined bathrooms are distinguished by their specific dimensions. A small room has an area of 198×173 centimeters, a large room is about 290×200 centimeters, and an average room is 250×150 centimeters.

The layout of Khrushchev-era buildings can also include incomplete bathrooms or combined bathrooms. Such rooms are 140×150 centimeters in size.

In old five-story buildings, there are separate bathrooms. The room design includes a bathtub, sink, heated towel rail, and wall cabinets.

In the case of redevelopment, it is necessary to develop a scaled plan with a diagram of the layout of communications, the location of doors, plumbing, and necessary interior items. This redevelopment must be coordinated.

How to design a bathroom with a shower in a Khrushchev-era building?

A corner or rectangular shower will fit perfectly into a room without a bathtub. To save space, you should choose models with sliding doors. The cabin can also be equipped with a deep tray for bathing.

Below I will show a table of the pros and cons of using a shower cabin, and you will decide for yourself what is better for you:

Check out a detailed article about comparing a bathtub and a shower cabin.

shower cabin bathroom with shower in Khrushchev bathroom with shower

In the photo, a compact bathroom with a shower in the corner takes up a minimum of space

Combined bathroom in a Khrushchevka

Dismantling the partition and combining two rooms provides a real opportunity to significantly increase the space. In a combined bathroom, a certain problem lies in the sewer riser. It is best to sew it up in a plasterboard box and finish it with ceramic tiles.

An excellent option for a converted bathroom with a toilet is to install a toilet with an installation. Due to the absence of a drain tank, additional space is freed up in the room. It would be equally rational to purchase a corner toilet.

combined bathroom combined bathroom design combined bathroom design

The photo shows the design of a combined bathroom in a Khrushchev-era building, done in milky and brown tones.

Examples for a divided bathroom

Despite the fact that the bathroom is separate, both rooms are maintained in the same style and equipped with plumbing from the same collection.

In a separate bathroom, you can use original zoning of the space. For example, the area with a shower or bathtub can be decorated in one color, and the area with a washbasin can be highlighted in a contrasting shade.

We have already talked about the design of the toilet in a Khrushchevka, so be sure to read it.

separate bathroom bath separate bathroom

Finishing options and materials

Usually, when choosing finishing materials, people prefer environmentally friendly and moisture-resistant materials. High-quality cladding has an aesthetic appearance, a long service life and is safe. But since we are considering repairs in a Khrushchev-era building, we cannot do without nuances, which I will discuss in detail below.

Floor

Non-slip porcelain stoneware or tiles are suitable for finishing the floor. To visually expand the bathroom, tiles can be laid diagonally or a covering can be chosen one or two shades darker than the wall finish. I have also increasingly noticed that many owners prefer self-leveling floors and this is a completely objective solution. Self-leveling floors are practical, and there are an incredible number of design options.

self-leveling floor with an original pattern

It is better to complement the plane with ceramic or plastic skirting boards, which, unlike wooden ones, are not subject to deformation and do not rust, like metal products.

finishing the floor with tiles in the bathroom porcelain tiles on the floor tiles on the floor floor in the bathroom marble floor

Walls

Traditional cladding is ceramic tile or mosaic. Decorating the bathroom with vertical lines will help increase the space – vertical lines will adjust the height, and horizontal lines will adjust the width. So be careful with a narrow room so as not to turn it into a tunnel.

Combination finishing is ideal for dividing the bathroom into functional zones and simply for saving money. You can decorate wet areas with tiles and paint the rest. A more budget-friendly option for finishing the walls is plastic panels. Look at the photos below and see that you can also stylishly decorate your bathroom with panels, especially since there are so many design options now.

plastic panels in the bathroom plastic panels on the walls combined finishing in the bathroom wall decoration in the bathroom with vertical stripes honeycomb tiles in the bathroom dark walls marble walls in the bathroom combined finishing in the bathroom

The photo shows the walls of the bathroom, faced with multi-colored mosaics.

Ceiling

The best design idea for the bathroom would be to install a glossy stretch ceiling in light colors. Paint, slatted or plastic suspension system will also work. In a small bathroom, a flat ceiling plane without contrasting details and overhanging elements is welcome.

ceiling decoration in the bathroom in a Khrushchev apartment ceiling decoration in the bathroom in a Khrushchev apartment modern bathroom design in a Khrushchev apartment

The photo shows a modern bathroom design with a matte stretch ceiling.

painted ceiling paintable ceiling

How to arrange a bathroom?

Creating a competent design requires the correct selection and arrangement of furniture and plumbing. And since Khrushchev-era apartments also have small areas, I will give some advice on proper layout.

How to place a washing machine in the bathroom?

A neat washing machine can fit organically even into a small room. The ideal place to install a washing machine will be a niche behind the toilet, the area under the sink or water heater. If such placement options are not possible, it would be appropriate to purchase a suspended model.

compact washing machine on the wall washing machine under the sink washing machine in a niche washing machine under the sink washing machine in the bathroom in a Khrushchev apartment

In the photo, the washing machine is located under the countertop next to the sink.

Organization of storage systems

Even at the stage of repair, you need to think about storage systems in which cosmetics, hygiene products, household chemicals, clean towels, etc. will be located. In order not to clutter an already small bathroom, all necessary items are hidden in cabinets with an opaque facade. Designs with single-color doors without fittings look very stylish.

In a small room, it is appropriate to place furniture in the form of a narrow pencil case or cabinet, which will effectively use the vertical, corner space or the space above the doorway. Give preference to hanging furniture and combined models, for example, a cabinet above the sink with a mirror.

cabinets above the bathtub shelves under the sink mirror cabinet in the bathroom

The photo shows a mirrored cabinet along the entire wall, and a washing machine under the sink.

Bath

A great solution is to choose a rectangular or corner model. A bathtub with right angles and lines uses the space most rationally. A built-in design with a screen decorated with tiles will blend in with the surrounding design of the room and, due to this, will look less bulky.

bathroom view from above corner bathtub full bathtub

Sink

A washbasin without a footrest will provide additional free space. A small but deep washbasin or a model with a narrow shape will also work. If there is a shortage of square meters in the room, the washbasin is placed as close as possible to the bathtub or in a free corner. A flat sink is combined with a washing machine or a cabinet.

small sink on a cabinet sink with a cabinet stylish round sink

In the photo, a compact round sink is located on a hanging cabinet.

Ventilation

Thanks to the forced system, which promotes proper air flow circulation, it is possible to create a comfortable temperature and control the humidity level in the room. It is possible to install an overhead fan or a regular hood.

In addition to standard ventilation, if you still have the famous window from the bathroom to the kitchen, you can make it open and comfortably regulate the humidity.

ventilation

Lighting

One of the most important stages in creating a bathroom design is the organization of lighting. The overall appearance and aesthetics of the room, as well as its proportions, depend on how the light sources are located.

Spotlights are a popular solution. They can be grouped in the center or illuminate each functional area in the bathroom.

The mirror is often complemented with symmetrical sconces. This arrangement helps to distribute light evenly without shadows.

mirror lighting spotlights above the bathtub

Contour lighting of a mirror or furniture installed inside a cabinet or floor lighting will look unusual. For this purpose, the floor is equipped with sealed and durable lamps or moisture-resistant colored bulbs.

lamps above the mirror

Decor and accessories

A vinyl shower curtain will help make the room’s interior brighter and more original. The shower stall can be decorated with beautiful appliques and an interesting rug can be laid on the floor.

Cups for toothbrushes and soap dishes of an original shape, as well as ascetic accessories in white, silver or metallic colors will look interesting.

unusual frame for a mirror and a container for soap decor on the shelves artificial flowers

The correct arrangement of various small items and decorative elements will allow you to turn a banal Khrushchevka into a real designer masterpiece.

painting above the sink flowers in the bathroom

What style is best?

The minimalist style will fill the bathroom with conciseness and purity. A monochrome palette, clear geometric shapes and discreet finishing will harmoniously fit into the room.

The Provence style is distinguished by its special weightlessness and rustic atmosphere. The delicate and romantic design is characterized by soft pastel colors, small floral patterns and vintage furniture.

minimalist bathroom

The photo shows the minimalist style in the bathroom interior.

modern bathroom classic bathroom

The loft style welcomes a restrained and calm brown, white, ash and metallic range with individual bright details. Incredibly organic and interesting accents of the room will be shabby objects and open communications.

However, you should be careful when using the elegant classic style in a Khrushchevka. Do not overdo it. Equip the room with cabinets, cabinets and shelves made of natural wood, decorate the area near the mirror with gilded sconces, and decorate one of the walls with a marble panel.

classic style bathroom

The photo shows a stylish bathroom, decorated in a classic style.

modern bathroom high-tech style bathroom

Photos of real projects

Below I have collected a selection of projects in which designers were able not only to breathe new life into the bathroom, but also to transform the Khrushchevka beyond recognition.

An incredible project from designer Elzbieta Chegarova, in which she skillfully placed a full-fledged storage system, a washing machine and a shower cabin in a small area.

bathroom view from above

See the before and after options. Impressive?

before renovation after renovation bathroom in a Khrushchevka

And here are the designers from Buro Brainstorm in a 3 sq. m installed a full bathtub, and placed the washing machine on the wall.

light bathroom wall-hung toilet wall-hung washing machine

Another project of a converted Khrushchevka on a budget only 800 thousand rubles. Designer Marina Merenkova placed the washing machine under the sink, saving precious space.

A great example for inspiration – look at the before and after photos:

bathroom before renovation bathroom after renovation bathroom in a Khrushchevka

As you can see, even run-down Khrushchevkas can be turned into cozy housing. And small bathroom areas do not become a problem in the hands of skilled craftsmen. So go ahead and make your design unique and stylish.

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