Global renovation is not a reason to get rid of old furniture. On the contrary, a Soviet wooden sideboard, grandma's round kitchen table or a huge soft chair will take their rightful place in a modern interior and become its decoration. Many pieces of furniture from those years were made to last, often decorated with unusual details, and distinguished by their original design. So before you send them to the landfill, you might want to think again. Perhaps a little remodeling will give old furniture new life.
Is it possible to fit Soviet furniture harmoniously into a modern interior?
Yes, and more than that. In classic and retro styles, such items will definitely come in handy. Plus, some old sets are also used in neat, minimalist interiors, free from domestic excesses.
The main advantage of such furniture is that it helps preserve the emotions associated with one’s home. At the same time, designers also often appreciate it - for its quality and some special details. Let's talk about this in a little more detail.
Preparing for work
You have noticed that unattractive cracks have appeared on the surface of the furniture, the color has become dull, and the polish has lost its shine. You have a chance to fix everything, and for this you need to start the initial stage. We are talking about banal washing. Surely there is a lot of dirt and dust on the surface and in cracks, since long years of operation are not in vain.
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It is not recommended to wipe polished furniture with a damp cloth, but today you should move away from this principle. Fill a container with warm water, make a soap solution and use a sponge to thoroughly wash all surfaces. After this, wipe the furniture with clean water and dry.
When did the best furniture appear in Soviet history?
The first Soviet interiors began to appear in the 1920s and 30s, and these were communal apartments with very simple furnishings. Bulky, roughly designed “Stalinist Empire style”, but noticeably reliable cabinets and tables - this is what minimalism looked like then.
Sets from the 1930s-50s are more reminiscent of the usual Soviet style, ostentatious, authentic. Everything created then indicated the prosperity of the houses and was carefully preserved. Therefore, the living room could combine the incongruous: a massive wall, ostentatiously filled with books and crystal, compact curved chairs, a sofa bed.
But items from that time are already more compact and convenient, adapted for small apartments. And at the same time, they are also characterized by the strength of a real solid mass.
And the best legacy that these years have left:
- Viennese (the same ones with curved backs) chairs, armchairs, tables - lightweight cabinet furniture on thin high legs, from the countries of the Eastern Bloc, stylish even by the standards of our time.
But not only that!
The rooms of the 1970s and 80s were already more individual, sometimes furnished under the influence of disco. The character of those interiors was created not by furniture, but by design details - new posters, records, bright colors. And laconic sets came into use, which opened up space for design ideas - coffee tables, low armchairs.
In typical furniture of this era, parts made of plastic and chipboard appeared - beautiful, cheap and, alas, impractical in comparison with an array of materials.
Getting rid of defects
When the outer layer is removed, you should pay attention to the surface. There is a high probability that there will be cracks or bulges on it. You can remove the tubercles using a grinder, chisel or sandpaper. Cracks should be filled with putty.
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To do this, you need to distribute it using a spatula, carefully treating each dent or crack. Follow the instructions written on the can of material. Then let the putty dry and sand the surface with sandpaper. You need to achieve a smooth effect so that the areas treated with putty do not show through under the paint.
How to update Soviet furniture
Sometimes it’s enough just to monotonously repaint Soviet furniture so that it looks beautiful in a new stylish interior.
However, there are other interesting ways to decorate old sets that will help if you want fresh, extraordinary solutions. Let's give a mini-list of ideas.
1) You can paint furniture through lace or tulle.
2) Use a multi-layer gold or bronze coating - a marker of an expensive classic.
3) Slate paint on facades will look even more interesting and modern.
4) Cover the furniture body with self-adhesive film. Suitable, for example, is a self-adhesive with a wood or small floral print, like a country one.
5) Another similar technique is decoupage. Its essence: individual pieces of furniture are decorated using a stylized pattern or textured fabric. For this purpose, special decoupage napkins, pieces of wallpaper, notes, and embossed leather are used.
6) Aging the furniture. Soviet furniture can be given an antique charm, but in this case professional techniques are needed - patina, craquelure.
By combining different techniques, in particular, aging and decoupage, professionals create gorgeous effects.
7) You can update only the fittings - select details in accordance with the new style of the room.
When updating upholstered furniture, you can reupholster the fabric and decorate the body with noticeable decorative seams and buttons.
9) Or make covers individually.
There are radically different examples of converted Soviet chairs and armchairs in the Stoolstory assortment. Inspiration and new ideas can be found on their Instagram.
Removing old coating
In order to remove polishing, you must use one of the proposed methods.
The first is mechanical. It is the most labor-intensive, but effective and economical. Take a chisel, sander or wire brush. Then carefully scrape off all polish from the surface. In some areas it is recommended to use sandpaper.
The second method is thermal. Using a blowtorch or a hair dryer, the top layer is heated and then removed with a spatula or spatula.
The third is chemical, which uses special means. This is the simplest, although not budgetary, method that does not require much effort. It is enough to apply the product to the surface, cover it with film for a while, and then remove it with a device convenient for you (follow the instructions on the package).
How to use Soviet furniture in a modern interior
Architect and designer Marina Lapteva very accurately noted: “the older the thing, the more attractive it is.” But that is why old furniture should be used sparingly and appropriately, like a precious find.
Just one high-quality and beautiful Soviet set (or a small set) can be made the dominant feature in the interior, highlighted with the help of lighting. Let the rest of the furnishings be modern, laconic, and support the chosen style.
Let's give examples.
Draped Viennese chairs or armchairs (an ideal find) together with a coffee table will create a cozy oasis in an interior with a tropical, colonial or marine style. The covering can be changed. The best thing about these chairs is the authentic shape.
A spacious buffet - the pride of Soviet families - can be made the accent of the kitchen-living room if you are decorating the interior in a classic or Provence style. To do this, a bulky dark set needs to be painted in a single, delicate color (characteristic of the French provincial landscape), with a lace pattern, or in a classic bronze shade.
Cabinet structures on thin black legs can complement the decor in the Art Nouveau style. Plus, with the help of such shelving you can beautifully zone a fashionable spacious room.
But an old chest of drawers or pencil case will become a useful thing in the most modern children's room. The facade can be made bright, painted with lace or a stencil. And in numerous shelves you can compactly place your child’s favorite treasures.
Look at junk with an artist's eye
You may not find a stunning buffet in your attic. But you will collect a whole dump truck of broken chairs, faded masterpieces by unknown artists in carved frames, lace curtains covered with who knows what... Examine the finds carefully: an object can sparkle if you rid it of excess and spoilage. Feel free to be a cool-headed auditor. Take the beautiful parts, get rid of the old ones.
- You can cut handmade lace from holey curtains and sew it onto new curtains for the kitchen. Or place the lace in a beautiful frame under glass...
- Saw off the twisted legs from the rickety table, place them under the new tabletop - you will get an elegant coffee table. Or, conversely, use only the countertop.
- A cloudy picture or an old cabinet door is not at all pleasing to the eye, but a mirror in such an authentic frame just begs to be added to a modern apartment.
Two best ways to use the Soviet wall
The Soviet wall of the 50-60s is a legacy worthy of attention. If only because it is durable, has many storage systems and is designed entirely in the same style.
At the same time, it has only one drawback: it is difficult to fit into the fresh interior of the living room - freedom and lightness are important in modern style.
However, such a complete set will be useful in a modern home.
Firstly, the wall can be lightened (trend minimalism welcomes light colors) and used in an office or library. Numerous shelves and secretaries are ideal for storing valuable documents and corporate souvenirs.
Secondly, you can save only the cabinets, install sliding doors and stylishly decorate the dressing room.
And the mezzanine can easily be turned into a box-seat for the hallway.
Primer
Before using the primer, it is necessary to degrease the surface. To do this, purchase a special product. Also be sure to add a layer of antiseptic to prevent mold and mildew from forming. After this, apply a layer of primer. It is needed so that the paint lays down more evenly. Wait until completely dry, then apply a second coat (optional).
A look from a different angle - how to create a new interior with old furniture
Is it possible to save large cabinet furniture from the Soviet heritage and create an exclusive interior to your liking? Let's show 4 examples in which this desire is realized.
Example 1. Scandinavian living room
Massive wood-colored furniture will be an excellent dominant feature in such an interior. The main thing is that the furniture comes with an abundance of light and space.
Therefore, even old objects, dark, bulky and primitive in appearance, can be left unchanged.
Move the patterned oriental rug from the wall to the floor and be sure to save it, and decorate the walls themselves in white, light blue or a special “Scandinavian white” tone (white mixed with yellow and gray). Plus, you can add bright pillows to the interior to match the style of the carpet, old sets in the shape of fish, and be sure to “let in” natural diffused light (get rid of old curtains and dark lampshades).
2. Bedroom in Provence style
The basis for creating a style is furniture with smooth, thin legs, natural or lightened, which does not clutter the interior and is a little reminiscent of cozy country life. Complete the decor with simple country-style textiles, and make the basic color scheme light and monochromatic.
Shades of Provence that soothe the eyes - blue, pistachio, beige.
3. Oasis in retro colors
To create such an environment, only beautiful, rare sets can be used. But the color scheme of the interior should be refreshed. In a retro interior, white-gray and brightly colored objects (in particular, red) look interesting.
4. Cottage in European country style
In the interior of a country dacha, favorite items from the Soviet past always look beautiful - linen tablecloths and century-old wooden furniture. However, old furniture can be visually made expensive and rare - with the help of professional painting, patination, and decoupage.
As you can see, in cases where massive furniture is used, it is better for the wall decoration to be simple, light, and non-marking.
Conditions of care
In order for antique furniture to retain its presentable appearance for a long time, it is necessary to properly care for it. One of the most important conditions for its safety is a categorical ban on wet cleaning. Periodically wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth, after which a special composition is applied that repels dust. To clean carved decorative elements from dust, use a special brush or brush with natural bristles. Bronze, brass and metal inserts are treated with cotton pads soaked in ammonia.
It is strictly not recommended to move antique items on the floor. This can lead to paint chips and irreversible damage to individual elements that will be impossible to repair.
Special requirements must be placed on the conditions under which antique items are kept. Their location near sources of heat and moisture is unacceptable. Direct sunlight also has a destructive effect on them.
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Where to buy restored and high-quality Soviet furniture?
Kvartblog found those who can make a new stunning piece of furniture out of an old “tired” chair. Interesting upholstered furniture, draped in a modern way, is offered by Stoolstory.
For those who love collectible vintage sets, made with talent and love and skillfully updated, the choice is provided by designer Maria Volodatskaya.
Decent Soviet furniture is worth storing and restoring. The main thing is to focus on the latest convenient interior design solutions!
Components of the price of antiques
Vintage antique furniture in the market is very expensive. Some interior items are sold at famous auctions for incredible amounts of money. The formation of cost is influenced by the following factors:
- age - the older the piece of furniture, the more expensive it is;
- degree of preservation - whether the product will require partial or complete restoration;
- material of manufacture - wood species, the presence of inserts made of gold, silver, ivory, and so on;
- exclusivity - the item was created in a single copy by a famous master;
- belonging to a specific historical figure, event, era;
- completeness is an important criterion for sets and paired furniture.
Modern design allows you to use not only new things. Antique objects, with the proper approach to the task, will also organically fit into any interior. It is enough to choose them correctly and combine them with each other. And if purchasing antiques is beyond your means, you can use artificial aging of furniture.
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Antique cabinet in perfect condition
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Assembly
When everything is ready, assemble all the parts and also attach the fittings in place. Please ensure that the product is assembled correctly, otherwise its functionality will be compromised. For example, try pulling out a dresser drawer or opening a closet door. Sometimes an extra layer of paint makes it difficult to do this with ease. In this case, you will have to use a chisel or sandpaper to bring the thickness of the coating back to the level it was at the beginning.
