Personal experience: I renovated a room for 25 thousand rubles

Kitchen renovation with an area of ​​15 m2

I bought a two-room apartment in Kazan in sufficiently worn-out condition for resale. The apartment needed updating. The 15 m² kitchen was also in poor condition. Using her example, I will tell you how to make inexpensive repairs.

Kitchen before and after renovation for 25 thousand rubles.

Wall decoration

The choice of materials for wall decoration depends on the preferences of the apartment owner, the features of the interior and the budget allocated for materials. The modern market offers a wide range of similar products, so there should be no problems with the selection of finishing materials. All walls can be made in the same color scheme or use various combinations that are in harmony with each other. You can also play with contrast by highlighting certain areas with the appropriate color. When decorating the walls, you can show your imagination to the maximum.

How I planned the renovation

Since the budget was initially limited, I decided to minimize the pre-finishing work, refuse designer wallpaper, a golden chandelier and other luxuries that I didn’t need. Even at the preparation stage, I had a clear plan and a full understanding of what the room should look like after the renovation.

I have planned the following scope of work:

• replace linoleum and baseboards;
• re-glue the wallpaper;
• stretch the ceiling;
• connect the electrics, since there was only one socket;
• make thoughtful lighting, because light always visually transforms an apartment.

I didn’t have a design project, everything was in my head - this is another point on which I saved during the renovation. I usually look for ready-made options on Instagram: I type “room design” or “bedroom design” into the search and scroll through the options.

There are already more than ten repairs behind me. I experimented, tried different options. For example, a dark floor or dark doors with baseboards. But still, in my experience, bright solutions are always better: such apartments sell better. In the case of this kitchen, it was decided to stick to classic colors - light wallpaper in warm colors, white glossy ceiling, light linoleum.

Dismantling and installation of partitions

During renovation, redevelopment of the apartment may be required. It will increase the comfort of the living space. Redevelopment involves dismantling partitions and installing them in a new location. If you are doing the repairs yourself, then when dismantling the partitions, make sure that they are the ones in front of you, and not load-bearing walls, which under no circumstances should be touched.

Important point! Dismantling of partitions is carried out only after this process has been agreed upon by the BTI.

When carrying out such work, it is important to consider what material the partition is made of:

• Drywall. This type of structure is easiest to dismantle. Remove the plasterboard, dismantle the metal frame.

• Concrete products When dismantling panel partitions, make sure that they are not load-bearing walls. Dismantling of such structures is carried out using special tools. But even if you have a powerful hammer drill, this work will take a lot of time and effort.

• Brick. Dismantling the wall begins with cleaning the upper expansion gap. After removing the tow that filled the gap, they begin to dismantle the partition brick by brick.

Rules for dismantling partitions:

• Use eye and respiratory protection.

• Start dismantling work from the top of the partition.

• Use a hammer drill, a heavy sledgehammer, or a special concrete cutter.

Important point! Removing walls involves a lot of risk. Before starting work, consult with specialists.

When installing partitions in a new location, plasterboard structures are often used. Soundproofing materials can be laid between sheets of this material.

How I prepared a room for renovation

Looking ahead, I will say that I did all the pre-finishing and finishing work myself. In addition to work on suspended ceilings.

First I had to get rid of the old wallpaper, remove the dark linoleum and tear off all the tiles. At this stage there were no costs, since I had all the tools and did all the work myself. As they say, breaking is not building. I removed the tiles using a hammer drill in a couple of hours. Removing the old wallpaper and linoleum was also not difficult.

There was no need to prepare the floor, since it was visually even, although with differences. That’s why I chose linoleum - when laying it, you don’t need to additionally level the floors, it is less picky about the curvature of the floor, which cannot be said about laminate. This is also saving money.

Ventilation in the building

If there is poor ventilation in the house, the natural air exchange in the rooms is disrupted. This leads to damage to the floor, ceiling, walls and respiratory diseases.

Houses built decades ago are unlikely to have ventilation in the roof and walls. In those days, methods for ventilating foundations and roofs, which builders successfully use, had not yet been invented.

The greatest attention should be paid to ventilation of rooms with high air humidity: kitchens, toilets and basements. Exhaust ventilation is used in multi-apartment residential buildings, but this method is unacceptable for private houses.

Auxiliary ventilation is provided through the walls and vents. But in winter it is inconvenient to do this. Therefore, builders provide an exhaust system that operates on fans. They quickly take oxygen from the room and send it outside. Fresh air comes from there.

How I chose materials

I already had all the tools; I only needed to buy the necessary materials. Usually I make my first trip to buy building materials an introductory one, I try to visit as many stores as possible, compare prices - I write them down in a notebook. On my next trip I buy rough materials - primer, plaster, putty, etc. Then I buy finishing materials - as much as will fit in the trunk of the car. Sometimes one trip is not enough. I don’t use delivery, it “eats” 2-3 thousand rubles at least.

To buy linoleum, I went to the Kazan construction hypermarket “Upravdom”. There, the material I liked cost 700 rubles per square meter, I needed 15 “squares”. The total was more than 10 thousand. I didn't buy it right away because of the price. I went to the website of this store on the Internet, where the same linoleum cost 500 rubles per m2.

It turned out that on the website of this store all products are listed at a maximum discount, but in the store itself there are increased price tags, and sellers can make a discount to the price indicated on the Internet. But not all buyers bargain, and not all sellers talk about discounts, wanting to earn more on the percentage of sales. So I was able to buy linoleum 25% cheaper - for 7500 ₽.

I chose wallpaper from local stores “World of Wallpaper,” where they give a 10% discount to new residents, and “Agave.” In the last store, the discount for those who have recently bought a home is even higher - 13%. In the end, I chose vinyl wallpaper on a non-woven basis for 1600 RUR per roll, taking into account the discount. Total paid 6900 ₽.

I purchased skirting boards and other materials from Leroy Merlin. These are sockets, a switch, wallpaper glue and a bag of putty. I chose wide skirting boards (8 cm wide) to make it look more impressive. Accordingly, the price of these skirting boards is higher.

Making a plan

The very first action should be making a plan. It must indicate in detail all the desired changes, including the size and area of ​​the premises, the construction, dismantling or moving of walls and other things. It will be much easier to work this way.

Rules for planning repairs:

• think over the further arrangement of furniture and household appliances, and then decide which sockets will have to be moved, removed or added. The same goes for switches;
• When replacing finishing, it is recommended to carefully think through the plan and calculate the size of the room. If there are not enough purchased materials, then there is a high probability that the next time you go to the store you will not be able to buy the same shades or textures. Even if you buy the same material in the same colors, it may differ from what is available, since it will be a different supply;
• if you plan to add bright colors to your apartment, it is better to show this in advance in the construction plan. This way you will be sure of the color combination and think through the shades.

A schematic plan will help you quickly decide on the color scheme and arrangement of furniture

As you develop such a plan, you may come up with ideas that will help make the task easier. The plan can be drawn up for the entire apartment, or separately for rooms.

Important point! Plans are different, since everyone renovates an apartment for themselves, but it makes sense to look for plans similar to your apartment on the Internet or other sources, and then adapt them to your taste.

You can draw up a plan on a sheet of paper, but a plan drawn up on a computer will be more visual - in specially designed programs you can view all the details. In addition, there you are unlikely to make a mistake with the scales, since the program will “draw” everything on its own and will even be able to carry out some calculations.

Cosmetic repairs are often carried out in certain parts of the premises

When drawing up a plan “by hand,” it is recommended to make photocopies of the first version. This way you can create several options for color combinations or furniture arrangement and immediately evaluate several paintings, choosing the winning option.

You can also make plans in several stages, numbering each of them. For example, on the first one you can consider color preferences, on the second - options for arranging furniture, then - electrical wiring, location of sockets, switches.

Video - Repair planning: where to start

Zonal division of rooms

To determine what changes will be needed in a room and where to start, you need to understand what you want to change in it and what will be there in the final stage.

• It is recommended to make three zones in the nursery: a sleeping area, a play area and an area for doing homework. Of course, all this takes place only if the size of the room allows it;
• The kitchen should include a work area (for cooking) and a dining area. It is important to think about the placement of household appliances. For example, you can install a separate rack to store it;
• If you want to divide the bathroom or, conversely, combine it, then the first plan drawn up should indicate the size of the room and the desired arrangement.

Children's plan for two children, including all three zones (bedroom, rest, study)

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Floor decoration

The final step will be choosing the flooring. It can be made from linoleum, block parquet, parquet boards or carpet. Floor tiles occupy a special place in the design of modern interiors.

After completing this stage, all that remains is to add the finishing touches. These include:

• installation of door frames,
• installation of skirting boards,
• placement of furniture,
• placement of equipment,
• interior decoration.

Having done a general cleaning, you can enjoy peace, comfort and coziness in your renovated apartment. If all steps are completed correctly, the repair will not take much time. A clearly allocated budget will allow you to accurately follow the aspects shown in the project. Involving specialists will save time and money, but the decision about this should be made only by the apartment owner.

How I did the renovation

I decided to lay new linoleum, glue wallpaper and install electrical wiring myself, since this work is simple and does not require special skills or special tools. All I needed was a hammer drill, a screwdriver, a utility knife, a spatula, a roller, and a brush.

Usually, if I don’t know how to perform a particular stage of work, I watch videos on YouTube, since experienced craftsmen generously share their experience there. After this online training, I try to do the work myself. This way you don’t have to hire workers, which also saves money.

What to do with things

Repair and things are incompatible. Therefore, the issue of furniture and things needs to be resolved in advance - they need to be removed from the room in which you plan to renovate. To do this, you need to choose one of the options, depending on your situation:

• move to the next room;
• take it to the balcony or loggia;
• put everything in the pantry;
• ask neighbors or friends to hold things;
• take it to the garage;
• to the dacha;
• to a country house;
• put in a box or storage cell;
• into a container;
• put into a warm warehouse.

Each option has its pros and cons. For example, if there are few things, then they can fit in the pantry and will always be at hand, which is convenient. If you are doing renovations in the summer, it is convenient to put everything on the balcony. If there is a lot of furniture and things, and dragging them somewhere is very inconvenient and difficult (you will have to order a truck), then it is easier to use a storage service that has a delivery service so that things are taken directly from the house.

How to make a suspended ceiling for me

The stretch ceiling was made by a master, because it requires special skills and tools. Finding a good and cheap master in Kazan is quite difficult. I try to contact specialists directly, because companies charge more.

I decided to make a glossy stretch ceiling with spotlights. To choose the optimal cost of the work, I invited several craftsmen. Departure and measurements are free. They examined the room and announced prices. The most budget offer: 300 ₽ per square meter (work + materials) and 400 ₽ for each spotlight (with lamp and light bulb), 600 ₽ per meter of curtains.

Insulation of the room

The microclimate in the home depends on humidity and temperature. These factors are ensured by good ventilation and proper vapor barriers and thermal insulation.

In order for a person to feel comfortable in the house, two components need to be taken into account - the temperature of the air and surfaces. The normal temperature is +20 C, and the ceiling and walls are +17 degrees. For older citizens, it is better to make the room warmer.

In old houses and apartments, the thermal insulation of walls is poor or completely absent. Condensation appears, increased air humidity, and the rooms become stuffy. Household members are not feeling well. If you can’t disassemble the wall, you can make thermal insulation inside or outside the room.

We are renovating an apartment

So, the estimate has been drawn up, everything has been purchased, and you have decided on the sequence of actions. What subtleties need to be taken into account and what pitfalls await you on the thorny path of updating your apartment?

Bathroom/wc renovation

You need to renovate a bathroom by replacing pipes with metal-plastic ones if the room has old wiring. Manufacturers provide long warranties on them, they are easier to work with (cutting/installation) and install fittings and taps.

If you do not plan to change the communication scheme, measure the old ones taking into account the kitchen. Installing a water supply system is a serious undertaking, so if you do not have enough experience, invite a professional to install the plumbing. One service costs on average from 1500 to 2000 rubles.

Set aside approximately RUR 30,000. for the toilet, new bathtub, sink and faucets. It all depends on personal capabilities. Of course, if you choose imported products from well-known brands, the amount will increase. Together with the purchase of pipes, plumbing will cost from 35,000 rubles. If you need a water heater, then you should think about buying one now. With the finish finished, it will be difficult to install the boiler without damaging the panels or tiles. The affordable option will cost about 20,000 rubles. If the heating batteries and coils in the apartment have not been replaced, then purchasing and installing new ones will cost 20,000 rubles.

It's time to choose finishing materials. Tiling walls and floors up to the ceiling is not a cheap pleasure. It is more economical to limit yourself to a combined option, combining porcelain stoneware with panels or water-based paint. The material itself with installation will cost about 65,000 rubles, if you are sure that you can lay the tiles evenly, count on the amount of 35,000 rubles. You will also need to buy a door, lamps, a wall cabinet with a mirror and a cabinet under the sink.

Renovate the bathroom following the sequence:

• dismantling old tiles and paint;
• concrete floor screed (if the surface is uneven, on average it takes about 2 weeks to harden);
• plastering walls;
• painting walls or laying tiles;
• installation of plumbing, heating and water supply systems;
• installation of the ceiling (if it is suspended; if you decide to paint, you need to start with it);
• installation of a bathroom door and lamps.

To equip a subfloor in a bathroom with a concrete screed, you need to purchase 15 bags of cement and another 5 bags of self-leveling mixture for leveling. It will cost approximately 4,500 rubles. A major reconstruction of a bathroom will cost about 140,000-145,000 rubles.

Repairing the ceiling

The choice of finishing for the ceiling surface depends on the family budget. An economical way is to plaster or paint with water-based paint, but be prepared to spend time on preparation. Completely remove the previous coating, then deepen the seams at the joints of the slabs with a putty knife, prime, and then cover with a layer of putty. It will take approximately 1-2 days to dry. Apply the finishing coat to the prepared surface. If you decide to paint, buy paint with a reserve. To make the ceiling look perfect, you will need to apply it in 2 layers. Over time, paint or plaster may lose its appeal. Painting the entire area of ​​the room will cost an average of about 5,000 rubles.

Stretch ceilings are widely popular. Builders and designers love using them due to:

• fast production and installation within 2 days;
• reasonable price per m2 (on average about 350 rubles);
• attractiveness;
• resistance in case of leakage from neighbors.