A renovation of an apartment in Russia was completed in three months for 955,000 rubles, including furniture and appliances. The project, led by a construction specialist named Ekaterina, focused on functionality and cost-effectiveness without a formal design plan.

The renovation covered all aspects of the apartment, including the hallway, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. The kitchen and living room were switched, demonstrating a significant change in the apartment’s layout.

To manage the project, Ekaterina emphasized the importance of planning and breaking the renovation into stages. The first step involved clearing out debris, selling unwanted items, and donating others. Existing furniture was disassembled and stored to protect it during the renovation process.

Essential upgrades, such as new outlets, additional lighting, and plumbing, cost 80,000 rubles. A professional was hired for tasks such as leveling walls, wallpapering, and laying flooring, with labor costs totaling 195,000 rubles. The final stage involved furnishing the apartment, which was largely done by hand, including assembling furniture and hanging curtains.

To stay within budget, Ekaterina shared several cost-saving tips. One key tip was to order a kitchen from a cutting shop, which significantly reduced costs compared to purchasing from traditional showrooms. The total cost of the kitchen, including appliances, sink, and mixer, was 220,000 rubles, while a similar kitchen in a salon would have cost at least 195,000 rubles without appliances. Other strategies included ordering furniture from marketplaces and doing as much of the work as possible independently, such as assembling furniture and installing basic electrical and plumbing fixtures.