Not rubbish, but retro: how to fit Soviet furniture into the interior

Designer-designer of the furniture holding “Angstrem”

Massive wardrobes, sideboards, polished wood, sideboards and secretaires, catchy color palettes, innovative materials – these are the most striking distinctive features of retro style in interior design, for which it is so loved. A certain role in the formation of this direction was played by purchasing habits: people did not have money, few could afford to buy a whole range of furniture at once. As a result, all the items in the room were diverse, because they were bought at different times and from different manufacturers.

And there is no reason to part with these rarities if they are in good condition. After all, they are very easy to fit into a modern interior.

Wall “slide” and chest of drawers

Without those very low walls, which received the name “slide” in the post-Soviet space, the transition of the style of your interior to retro will not work. The wall has its own composition: crystal was placed in one part, a collection of books in the other. If you don’t like the slide, then you can get by with a chest of drawers.

In order for Soviet furniture to organically fit into the interior, it can be slightly modernized. For example, update the doors – remove the handles and make them on a magnet, or, conversely, add metal parts: handles for doors and shelves, or replace the legs of the chest of drawers and make them. You can even repaint your furniture if polishing annoys you. On top we put a lamp with an original, designer lampshade and a vase with wildflowers, and for lovers of chaos, you can always arrange a beautiful creative mess of books, magazines and various trifles on any free surface of the cabinet.

Sideboard and wall cabinet

We are used to the fact that this piece of furniture should be located in the living room, but initially it was made specifically for the kitchen. In the 50s and 70s, the sideboard was the icing on the cake! By the way, instead of doors, you can use cotton curtains with a bright color combination, this will give the interior a zest.

The famous wardrobe-wall – yes, it is quite bulky, so in a small apartment it is better to refuse such pieces of furniture. But if you have a large corridor that allows you to place such an interior miracle, then why not take advantage of this opportunity. You can easily add individuality to the wardrobe with your own hands: change the doors (for example, for jalousies), insert frosted or colored glass instead of ordinary glass – it all depends on your general style of the apartment and your preferences.

Cushioned furniture

Remember those massive sofas with side shelves that could be used as a minibar? Or maybe you have a sofa with storage boxes? Such a thing should become the protagonist of a retro-style interior. To do this, the general style must be maintained in light colors: white walls, light ceiling, nude shades of textiles. A heavy sofa and mismatched armchairs will not be combined with something austere and modern.

Another principle worth remembering: in this case, furniture should be placed around the perimeter of the room, leaving the center empty. However, it is not forbidden to put an intricate coffee table.

Lights and accessories

Cozy carved lampshades of muted yellow tones on a floor lamp, a retro music player, a collection of vinyl records, a radio, a vase made of colored glass – all this will add a unique charm to the interior. Individually, these things will be lost alone, but you can create an amazing ensemble: put, for example, a radio in the living room, next to it make a shelf or a special chest of drawers for storing vinyl records, and hang a picture or a poster in the Soviet style on the wall. You will see that the atmosphere of the room will sparkle with completely different colors. 

By the way, you probably have things from Soviet life at home – just like in our gallery. Isn’t it true?