If you are the owner of a small-sized housing of the “Khrushchev” type, then most likely the toilet is the smallest room in your apartment, so before starting renovations there, you need to prepare very carefully. What design to choose so that it doesn’t “eat up” the already small space? What materials will last the longest in such a humid room? Do you need furniture in the toilet? We will try to answer these and other questions in this article.
Toilet design in Khrushchev
As you know, in Khrushchev-type apartments one of the main problems is the arrangement of the toilet and bathroom. Small-sized apartments were built at a time when it was more important to quickly produce apartments of the same type and give them to needy families; comfort was discussed here at the very last moment. If you are the owner of just such an apartment, then don’t worry - this article contains tips on how to turn a small toilet room into a cozy and comfortable room.
Toilet repair in Khrushchev
The first renovation option is to combine the bathroom and toilet. On the one hand, this method will increase the space, but on the other hand, there will be problems with several people visiting the bathroom at once. In addition, approval of the reconstruction of the bathroom will cost additional expenses and paperwork.
Therefore, the second and most optimal option is to arrange a small toilet room.
First you need to prepare the room for a major renovation, and to do this, completely get rid of old communications (which can be replaced) and materials. Care should be taken when covering all surfaces of the room. After removing the old tiles, the walls will remain in such a state that they will require puttying and leveling.
Fungus is the next problem with old houses. We recommend treating all surfaces of the bathroom with a protective primer , which should prevent the formation of fungus and mold in the future. If the fungus has already formed, then it must be removed and the area treated more thoroughly with special means.
For more or less spacious rooms, you can use specialized moisture-resistant plasterboard, but for a very small toilet room this option may seem unnecessary, since there will be even less space left. But these sheets of drywall can be easily used to create niches that cover pipes or create shelves.
We should also talk about pipes. In small apartments, it is in the toilet that there are pipes for cold water supply and sewerage, which, most likely, will soon become unusable. That is why you need to start repairs by replacing communications. It is not recommended to install new pipes into walls. Since in case of an emergency it will be more difficult to reach them. Therefore, new pipes can be hidden in a box made of specialized plasterboard to protect them from the accumulation of condensate.
The next point in arranging the toilet will be the development of the interior of the room. To do this, you need to decide on the style and choose the right finishing materials and plumbing . You can think over and draw the design yourself by sketching it or using special 3D programs.
Washing machine placement options
The placement of all the necessary items in a limited area requires a competent and creative approach. A washing machine is an important and rather bulky element, without which it is impossible to imagine a bathroom, so when purchasing a unit, choose models with a minimum width and front loading.
Optimal machine location options:
- in the area under the water heating tank;
- in a niche under the sink;
- if the bathroom is combined - between the toilet and the bathtub, shower stall or wall, depending on the layout.
Reference. Purchasing a wall-mounted washing machine will greatly simplify the arrangement of a compact bathroom.
Installing a washing machine will not cause problems if the washbasin is made in the form of a bowl, and also:
- with complete refusal of the sink;
- when replacing a full bath with a sit-down bath or a hydrobox.
Color spectrum
Light colors will make the space more comfortable and visually enlarge it. By the way, you can use different combinations of colors, for example, a warm beige shade with a darker nut or chocolate would look great. But bright colors will look great with soft snow-white shades.
Another option could be a combination of dark lines and light wall decoration. Thus, you can increase the space of the room both vertically and horizontally. Another interesting solution could be to decorate one wall in dark colors and leave the rest light - this method will add depth to the room.
The opposite option is to decorate the walls in dark colors. But then it’s worth paying special attention to the lighting of the room, because... The atmosphere of the room will largely depend on this. It is also worth thinking about glossy surfaces, adding white patterns and snow-white plumbing.
And remember that the choice of color palette depends solely on your own preferences, and of course, on the desires of other family members.
It’s worth giving up useless decor
A small bathroom area should be used rationally, without cluttering the room with unnecessary elements.
Important! To decorate a bathroom in a Khrushchev-era building, it is better to choose a design style that involves simple, clear lines and a minimum of decor.
All decisions related to design and decoration should be aimed at saving useful meters and achieving the effect of visual expansion of space:
- Some surfaces may be mirrored or made of glass.
- You can use suspended plumbing.
- A rectangular bathtub decorated with tiles matching the color of the walls or a built-in triangular structure will look less bulky, merging with the overall background.
A local illumination device would be appropriate:
- spot diode lamps are mounted in the ceiling in the center or placed above functional areas;
- decorate the mirror with symmetrical sconces;
- install floor lighting or furniture lighting inside cabinets using moisture-resistant colored lamps and sealed lamps;
- place a flexible luminous tape on the ceiling or walls.
Optimal decor options for a small bathroom:
- original patterns or beautiful ornaments located at eye level that attract attention;
- a folding transparent or vinyl curtain covering the bathtub with a pattern matching the interior;
- shower stall decorated with appliqués;
- stylish rug on the floor;
- cups for toothbrushes, soap dishes and other small items selected to match the overall style of the interior, placed skillfully and unobtrusively.
What materials should be used for finishing?
Now there is such a large selection of materials on the market that sometimes it is only harder to make a choice in favor of certain options.
But you should adhere to the most important rule - use only moisture-resistant and water-resistant finishing materials.
For the ceiling
If there are unevenness on the ceiling, you can level it with a plasterboard sheet, which will allow you to create a suspended ceiling and provide the room with spot light. However, a suspended ceiling is most often installed immediately even on a curved surface, which reduces the cost of repairs.
Or you can level the ceiling and simply whitewash it.
For walls
There are many interesting options for wall decoration. But even here, when choosing, you must not forget about water-repellent surfaces.
The most common option is tile or porcelain stoneware. And this option is really not bad when decorating a small room. With the help of tiles and mosaics, you can decorate a room beautifully and practically; in addition, no one forbids adding geometric patterns and other original inserts that will only look advantageous on the walls.
Another equally popular option is a combination of paint and tiles. The toilet is not as humid as the bathroom, so you can safely use the wall paint that you chose for the rest of the apartment.
There is another option for finishing the toilet room - PVC panels. But for a small room, using such material risks losing precious space in the room. Yes, and it looks too tasteless.
For floor
The flooring should also be given special attention. Firstly, there should be a side between the floor in the hallway and the floor in the bathroom to prevent water from escaping in the event of an accident or flooding. Or you can make the floor level in the toilet slightly lower than in the corridor. This will also help prevent water from leaking into the rest of the apartment. Please note that you should not forget about the additional waterproofing layer of the floor covering.
Ceramic floor tiles, self-leveling flooring or porcelain tiles are suitable as finishing materials; as an alternative, you can use linoleum or laminate, but here you may have to work hard with the choice of material, because... These coatings themselves do not like water at all.
You definitely shouldn’t use “warm floors” for small toilet rooms. Even for a small room the costs will be quite significant.
Tile
A universal solution for rooms of any size, regardless of the level of humidity in them. Used for finishing walls and floors.
Marble tiles
Light relief tiles
Tiles imitating wood structure
Glossy tile finish
However, choose a tile that is suitable in quality and design and can organically fit into the interior of a toilet in a Khrushchev-era building:
- For narrow bathrooms, it is recommended to choose rectangular tiles.
- If the room is narrow, but the ceilings are high enough, a special border made approximately in the middle of the height of the walls will help to optically expand the space. Moreover, it is advisable to make the tile located under it darker, and above it lighter.
- If the width of the toilet suits you, but the ceilings are low, vertical inserts made of tiles of contrasting colors will help visually correct the situation.
- In toilets with a low ceiling and modest dimensions, tiles laid diagonally will help expand the space. However, when implementing this option, the material consumption can be quite large, since trimming the tiles will be required.
USEFUL INFORMATION: Modular paintings (12 photos) in the living room interior: modern style
What furniture and fixtures are suitable for a small toilet?
Of course, the most important item in the room is the toilet. When choosing a toilet, the question arises: should I use a wall-hung one or should I go with the classic version? Remember that if you decide to make a suspended structure, you will need to leave space for a false wall where all the pipes will be hidden, which means that once again space in the room will be lost. But this option, of course, has its advantages. Firstly, it is easy to maintain, and secondly, such designs make the room more aesthetically pleasing and original.
To save water, you can consider half-flush toilets.
Materials for toilets are now completely different. Most toilets are made of porcelain or earthenware. Both of these materials are durable and comfortable.
A small washbasin or mini-shower, which will complement the toilet with a separate bidet function, will also add functionality to the toilet room.
The toilet will be original and stand out from the rest of the color scheme in the room. Suspended structures will also look interesting. Thus, on the one hand, you can save space, and on the other, add more functionality.
Increasing functionality
Renovating a bathroom in a Khrushchev-era building is difficult not so much from the technical side, but from the point of view of creating a beautiful, functional and comfortable room. The small size of the room is the main difficulty. We have to look for non-standard solutions when selecting equipment, plumbing fixtures and furniture.
A small bath can be beautiful too
Bath or shower
When renovating a bathroom in a Khrushchev-era building, they often abandon the bathtub in favor of a shower stall. This allows you to find space in a small room to install a washing machine. The most successful solution is a corner shower stall. In this case, a fairly decent piece of space is freed up, in which you can put a washbasin or washing machine.
One option is to install a shower stall with a deep tray or simply install glass doors on the bathroom
If you still want to soak in the bathroom from time to time, you can compromise by choosing a shower stall with a deep tray. But it is worth remembering that high sides are not very convenient for daily use if there are small children or elderly people. Why are they worse than a regular bathroom? The fact is that you won’t be able to fully lean on them - they are plastic, and they won’t withstand heavy loads.
It is not necessary to install a ready-made shower stall. A tile tray and a partition take up less space. If the partition and doors are made of glass, the room will not be “overloaded” and will feel more spacious.
Bathroom design in Khrushchev is a complicated matter
If you are still not ready to give up a bath, there are those that are much narrower in one part. A sink can be placed in this area. It will be convenient to use, just like a non-standard shaped bathroom.
Select a location to install the washing machine
When designing a bathroom in a Khrushchev-era building, they try to find a place to install a washing machine. Yes, it rusts faster, but finding a place in other rooms is even more difficult. One of the options has already been described - a corner shower stall, and in the vacant corner there is a washing machine. If this option is not suitable, you can install a specially shaped sink and a washing machine under it.
Make the bathroom in a Khrushchev-era apartment more comfortable - the sink can be installed above the washing machine
Until you get used to it, it is not very convenient to use the sink - it is installed a little higher than usual, but it is much more convenient than if you install a small one to save space. This, by the way, is also a way out, but not the best.
Lighting
In a small dressing room, an ordinary lamp will look quite harmonious; for dark rooms, a spotlight lighting system is more suitable.
Dye
Waterproof acrylic, latex and silicone paints are suitable for the toilet.
The advantages of painted walls include:
- moisture resistance;
- decorative appeal;
- ease of care;
- reasonable price;
- durability.
Light painted walls
Noble gray paint color
Striped wall painting
Beige walls in a very small toilet
Brightly painted walls
The main difficulty when choosing this type of finish is the need for very careful preparation of the walls, which consists of leveling with plaster or putty. It is easier to level the walls with plasterboard, but its frame will further reduce the already cramped space.
In what style can a toilet be made in a Khrushchev-era building?
Despite the fact that in Khrushchev-era buildings the sanitary room is very small, this does not mean that you should neglect the choice of room style. Now there are many options and it’s enough to just settle on one of them when decorating a room.
Loft style in toilet design
Decorating in this style can be the optimal solution for a small room, because... a loft implies a minimal amount of decor, and the decoration is very simple. The materials used for finishing are mainly brickwork and any imitation of brick, be it special tiles, PVC panels or even stone. The whole room can be filled with a certain roughness and urbanism.
Minimalism in toilet design
The minimalist style, like the loft, is great for small spaces, as it also does not require unnecessary details in the interior. Built-in furniture and plumbing fixtures will look great in this style, and the colors should not be bright or colorful. Cream and beige shades or pastels will be enough.
Retro style in toilet design
For a vintage style, it is best to use two types of materials as finishing materials - everyone’s favorite tile and paint. You can tile the lower part of the walls, and paint the upper part. Thus, you will get an interesting and original combination. Various photographs, posters, etc. are perfect for decoration.
Provence in the design of the toilet
The French country style will allow you to recreate coziness and harmony in a small room. Special accessories and furniture will help with this. Wooden elements in the decor of the room, as well as wicker laundry baskets, are perfect for this style. The plumbing should be exclusively imitation antique; a toilet with a hanging barrel will look great in such an interior.
Eco-style in toilet design
A room in this style means that it will be decorated only with natural and environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, when decorating a room, do not forget that the space should be bright and lively, so you can, for example, decorate the walls with imitation wood or stone. Another interesting move could be to “green” the room with the addition of natural accessories and decorative items.
Well, now it’s time to take a closer look at all the options for decorating a toilet in a small apartment. Happy viewing!
What to consider when planning the interior?
Your future toilet, the interior of which you plan to plan, must first of all be functional . In a small area in a Khrushchev building, you may have to place several items. Pay attention to your family's needs. Do you often turn off the hot water? Plan a place for a storage water heater. Does anyone like to read? Come up with an original shelf for newspapers. For children, you can make interesting decor with characters from your favorite cartoons.
If a cat lives in your apartment, then the space for the tray also needs to be taken into account so that it does not interfere and fits perfectly into the interior.
