Refurbished 1950s Apartment in Poznan: Small Space, Smart Design

Turning a cramped, dated apartment into a bright, modern home is never straightforward. This refurbished 55-square-meter apartment in Poznan posed an extra challenge: the current layout combines two original apartment units into a single residence. The renovation, carried out by Atelier Starzak Strebicki, uses clever planning and multifunctional wall furniture to make the compact interior feel open, airy and highly adaptable for contemporary living.

Hallway, kitchen and bedroom viewed from the entry — Hallway, kitchen and bedroom of the apartment viewed from the entry

The guiding idea of the project was to maximize usable space and create a flexible home where rooms can shift between private retreats and connected living areas. To avoid the space loss associated with conventional swinging doors, sliding doors were installed for the bedroom and bathroom, freeing up circulation and visual continuity. A mostly white, neutral backdrop keeps the apartment feeling light, while bold splashes of color — notably shades of blue and sea green — define the kitchen and bedroom zones, giving the interior a distinctive, fresh identity.

Narrow entry of renovated 50s apartment in Poznan — Narrow entry welcomes you inside this renovated 50’s apartment in Poznan

Multifunctional wall furniture is a central feature throughout the apartment. Custom units deliver storage, define room divisions and house utilities without creating visual clutter. In the living area and bedroom the renovation preserved the original cozy wooden floors, which contribute warmth and continuity. By contrast, the kitchen and bathroom received new granite tile flooring, chosen for durability and easy maintenance.

Living room with half wall separating it from the kitchen — Living room of the apartment with a half wall the separates it from the kitchen

Living area at one end of narrow apartment and bedroom at the other — Living area sits at one end of the narrow apartment and bedroom at the other

A small hall adjoining the bathroom acts as a practical buffer between the kitchen and the bedroom, improving flow and privacy. The bathroom itself cleverly combines laundry functions and sanitary fixtures within a compact footprint, using color accents to make the compact space feel intentional rather than cramped. Exposed copper piping in parts of the apartment introduces a subtle metallic highlight that complements the fresh color palette.

Light blue cabinets and sea green sliding door in bedroom — Light blue cabinets coupled with sea green sliding door inside the bedroom

Multifunctional wall furniture inside the apartment — Multifunctional wall furniture sets the tone inside this 50’s apartment

Natural light plays a major role in the apartment’s atmosphere. A series of six windows brings abundant daylight into the open plan, accentuating the white finishes and colorful cabinetry while visually expanding the rooms. The living area is positioned at one end of the narrow plan and the bedroom at the opposite end, creating clearly defined zones without sacrificing the sense of connection across the space.

Blue and sea green cabinets in adaptable kitchen — Blue and sea green cabinets add color to the adaptable kitchen of the apartment in white

The combined approach—retaining character where possible, introducing robust materials in high-use areas, and injecting carefully chosen color and storage solutions—results in a charming apartment with an unmistakable breezy summer vibe. Thoughtful interventions keep the layout flexible and functional while emphasizing daylight, material contrast and efficient use of every square meter. Photography: Danil Daneliuk.