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This studio apartment is part of a new residential complex located in the heart of Moscow, with views overlooking the city, historical center, and Kremlin.
Who lives here: A young specialist
Home: A studio apartment in Moscow
Size: 700 sq ft (65 sqm)
Interior Design: Svetlana Herzen
Moscow studio apartment
The owner is a young specialist who spends most of his time overseas, but he wanted an apartment in the capital where he could relax in between travels, as well as host friends and colleagues.
His brief to interior designer, Svetlana Herzen, the founder of Svetlana Herzen Interiors, was to create an open plan with minimal walls, a designated bedroom, and a television set that can be viewed from both the living room and bedroom. He also expressed a preference for dark colors and concrete.
A variety of grey and black tones, as well as the combination of textures create layering to achieve a sense of depth.
A variety of grey and black tones, as well as the combination of textures create layering to achieve a sense of depth.
Multi-functional space
Conceived as an open, multi-functional space, the apartment comprises different zones that are spatially well-defined and distinct, yet seamlessly integrated.
The pendant light above the island is the Nexia Mobile 1200 by Nahtrang Design.
The pendant light above the island is the Nexia Mobile 1200 by Nahtrang Design.
To visually expand the space, Svetlana went for large format tiles such as these 3-metre wide porcelain floor tiles.
To visually expand the space, Svetlana went for large format tiles such as these three- metre wide porcelain floor tiles.
Peninsula kitchen island
A peninsula island in the kitchen doubles up as a dining area and helps to create some degree of spatial separation between the kitchen and living room without erecting any walls or partitions.
A 3-meter tall mirror in the hallway accentuates the vertical expanse of space.
A 3-meter tall mirror in the hallway accentuates the vertical expanse of space.
This visually expands the space and also fosters social interaction across spaces when hosting guests.
Along the central axis of the apartment is a painting by Lisa Bobkova titled “More, More, More, More”. Next to this is a sculpture by Lev Efimov.
Along the central axis of the apartment is a painting by Lisa Bobkova titled “More, More, More, More”. Next to this is a sculpture by Lev Efimov.
Rotating TV stand
On the other side of the living room, a custom-designed, rotating structure allows the television set to pivot for viewing from either the living room or the bedroom.
It also serves as a spatial divider between the two spaces, again, without recourse to any walls or partitions.
Despite the apartment’s compact size, Svetlana managed to carve out space for a walk-in wardrobe.
Despite the apartment’s compact size, Svetlana managed to carve out space for a walk-in wardrobe.
Hallway wardrobe
To keep the apartment clutter-free, Svetlana provided ample built-in storage, including a spacious wardrobe in the hallway, a utility area with space for a washer-dryer and ironing board, and even a large walk-in closet in the bedroom.
A sculpture by Ulyana Khokhlova jazzes up the desk.
A sculpture by Ulyana Khokhlova jazzes up the desk.
Another piece by artist Lev Efimov, a painting this time, strikes a contemplative presence above the bed.
Another piece by artist Lev Efimov, a painting this time, strikes a contemplative presence above the bed.
Dark interior design
Working with a dark color palette can be challenging, but Svetlana believes that it is possible to achieve a stylish and cozy result using the right design strategies.
"Contrary to common belief, interior design with black elements give the impression of greater depth. Black colors also provide an excellent backdrop for vibrant accents and art pieces," she says.
Dark interiors work well when there is plenty of natural light, but additional artificial light sources should also be carefully considered to avoid a gloomy appearance.
Incorporate various textures and shades to make the interior more interesting and visually captivating.
A dark interior should be complemented with warm accents, such as wooden furniture, and upholstery, ceiling, walls, and flooring in lighter shades to balance all the black.
A dark brown base sets the tone in the bathroom.
A dark brown base sets the tone in the bathroom.
Terracotta-coloured silk wallpaper gives the wardrobe a touch of luxury.
Terracotta-coloured silk wallpaper gives the wardrobe a touch of luxury.
With a focus on natural materials and earthy tones, the apartment’s understated European design offers a calming interior set against the vibrancy of the city and a frame to its radiant sunrises, effervescent sunsets, and brilliant city lights.
5 Tips for small apartment interior design
Interior designer, Svetlana Herzen, the founder of Svetlana Herzen Interiors, shares her five tips for designing or managing space in a small apartment.
1. Create tall lines
In small apartments, a sense of grand scale is crucial. Opt for tall doors and portals, vertical lines of long curtains, room dividers, high headboards for beds, floor lamps, tall plants and oversized chairs. These elements “trick” our perception and make the apartment appear more spacious than it actually is.
2. Use sliding doors
If a standard swing door encroaches into valuable space when opened, consider replacing it with a sliding door, rotating door, folding door or even a curtain if sound insulation is not necessary.
3. Full height storage carpentry
Minimalistic storage systems with floor-to-ceiling units and sleek facades contribute to the sense of order and organisation within the space. For example, painting them in the same colour as the walls helps them blend seamlessly into the environment.
Additionally, utilise storage space under the bed with pull-out drawers or built-in lifting mechanisms.
4. Opt for built-in furniture
In small apartments, it is ideal (although not always budget-friendly) to incorporate as much built-in furniture as possible and have only a few standalone pieces that are interesting and unique.
Custom-made furniture and storage systems are typically more expensive than ready-made solutions, but they offer new possibilities for maximising space utilisation. Examples include podium solutions with pull-out or flip-top drawers and hidden storage systems that frame the headboard or doorways.
5. Glass partitions
To divide the space in a compact apartment, consider using glass partitions instead of solid walls. These partitions help in zoning the room while allowing the flow of natural light to penetrate through, creating an open and airy atmosphere. Instead of solid doors, consider using doors with glass panels.
6. Multi-functional furniture
Let a small ottoman serve as both seating and a coffee table for tea trays or have a dining table that easily transforms into a workspace. Consider using convertible furniture, such as a sofa bed.
7. Multiple lighting
Lighting is one of the tools for creating an illusion of space, so it is crucial to have multiple lighting scenarios in a small apartment.