Renovating a Soviet-era apartment in Riga: series 602, 119, 104 and more
In a Soviet-era flat in Riga, the building series decides most of what the layout can become: series 119 allows more changes, series 602 and 467 very few, and in Lithuanian-project buildings every wall is load-bearing. So the biggest gain usually comes not from removing walls but from a well-planned small kitchen, a combined bathroom and built-in storage. Before touching any wall, ask a certified structural engineer and check the procedure with the Riga City Construction Board.
Author: Valerija Gelfere, interior designer · Updated
Which apartment series exist in Riga and how they differ
Soviet-era blocks in Riga are known by their series number, and each series has its own character. Khrushchyovka (hruščovka in Latvian) is the everyday word for early mass-built blocks. The table sums up what the estate agency cityreal, LSM and Latvia's Ministry of Economics say about specific series.
Floor areas are given only for series 119, as there is no verified data for the others. Any individual flat may differ, which is why renovation starts with a survey.
| Series | What is typical | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Series 103 | Built from the early 1970s. | Find out which walls are load-bearing before changing the layout. |
| Series 104 | 12–16 storeys, bathroom next to the bedroom, kitchen next to the living room. | LSM: the buildings will last a long time but need renovating. |
| Series 119 | From the early 1980s, usually 9 storeys; 1-room 42 m², 2-room 55 m², 3-room 62 m², 4-room 84 m². | More scope for layout changes, but poor heat and sound insulation. |
| Series 467 | Grey panel blocks, 9 storeys, loggias. | Layout changes are almost impossible. |
| Series 602 | 9 storeys, load-bearing walls of expanded clay concrete panels. | Minimal scope for layout changes; some buildings have roof and balcony problems. |
| Lithuanian project (464) | 5 storeys. | LSM: all walls are load-bearing. |
Typical problems in a Soviet-era flat
Cityreal lists the common drawbacks of panel blocks as narrow corridors, small bathrooms, kitchens too tight to eat in and low ceilings. In 2023 the Ministry of Economics said that series 602 buildings are structurally sound in their foundations and load-bearing walls, but some have problems with roofs and balconies.
Inside the flat you usually have to deal with the following:
- If the wiring and pipes are old, they are replaced before finishing.
- A small kitchen where the table and fridge compete for the same corner.
- A combined bathroom that has to fit a shower or bath, WC, basin and washing machine.
- A narrow hall with no room for coats.
- Low ceilings that do not suit heavy dropped ceilings or dark finishes.
- Weak sound insulation between flats, which cityreal also notes for series 119.
What you can and cannot change in a panel block
Painting, wallpaper and new floor coverings without layout changes need no building documents. If you replace the screed, LV portāls advises consulting a specialist about loads and notifying the building manager. For removing or building non-load-bearing partitions a certified specialist prepares documents through BIS, while an opening in a load-bearing wall needs a design, the other owners' consent and registration in BIS.
In Soviet-era blocks the walls are the main limit. In series 467 and 602 the layout can hardly change, in Lithuanian-project buildings all walls are load-bearing, and series 119 offers more scope. LSM reported in 2017 that in series 602 buildings openings are sometimes cut into load-bearing walls without permission, because owners often do not know which walls carry the load. So ask a certified engineer about every wall first.
No specific rule for moving the kitchen or bathroom was found in the sources: it is assessed case by case, the neighbours' consent may be needed because of risers, and the owner is liable for damage to neighbours. Sources differ on the details, so check the procedure with the Riga City Construction Board.
How to plan a small kitchen in a Soviet-era flat
In a small kitchen, solutions that use the height and leave the floor free work best. These moves work in almost any series and need no walls removed. The photos in this article show one of Valerija's projects; the building series is not specified.
What helps in a small kitchen:
- Wall units up to the ceiling: more storage and no dust on top.
- Integrated appliances and a hidden extractor, which Houzz counts among the 2026 trends: the kitchen reads as furniture, not an appliance showroom.
- A corner worktop, if the room allows it, for the longest unbroken work surface.
- Lighting under the wall units so the worktop is never in shadow.
- A narrow or folding table by the window when a full table will not fit.
- Plain fronts in one colour and a calm palette so the small room does not break into pieces.
The combined bathroom: how to use every centimetre
A combined bathroom in a Soviet-era flat is small, so first decide whether you need a bath at all. In the NKBA 2026 report, 55% of the North American professionals surveyed say a large shower matters more than a bath. In a small room a level-access shower with a glass screen frees space for the washing machine or a cupboard.
A wall-hung WC and vanity leave the floor clear, and the room feels larger. Large-format tiles mean fewer joints, and wall niches replace shelves that stick out into the room. Do not forget ventilation and waterproofing: moisture clears more slowly from a small bathroom.
The most important work happens before the tiles. In Valerija's project new drain pipes went into the bathroom during the renovation, before the finishing started.
In what order to renovate a Soviet-era flat
The order is simple but often mixed up, and then new finishes have to be broken out again.
- Survey and a load-bearing wall check by a certified engineer.
- Layout and furniture plan, with documents through BIS if needed.
- 3D visualisation to test the kitchen and bathroom before ordering.
- New wiring and plumbing, with any riser work agreed with the building manager.
- Walls, floors and tiles, and only then the kitchen, doors and furniture.
How Valerija Gelfere helps with a Soviet-era flat
Valerija Gelfere has worked since 2020 and has more than 10 design projects to her name. In a Soviet-era flat the 2D plan shows how to fit the furniture into tight rooms, and 3D from all angles shows the small kitchen and bathroom before work begins. Electrical and plumbing drawings for tradespeople come in the 20 €/m² package.
A design project for a Soviet-era flat costs from 5 €/m². She does not carry out renovations, but she recommends people she has worked with, from tiler to electrician.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about a series 602 apartment?
Series 602 buildings are usually nine storeys high, with load-bearing walls of expanded clay concrete panels, so there is minimal scope for layout changes. In 2023 the Ministry of Economics said the buildings are structurally sound, though some have roof and balcony problems.
Can I remove the wall between the kitchen and a room in a khrushchyovka?
First a certified engineer must determine whether the wall is load-bearing. For a non-load-bearing partition, a certified specialist prepares the documents through BIS. An opening in a load-bearing wall needs a design, the other owners' consent and registration in BIS. Check the procedure with the Riga City Construction Board.
Which series is easiest to replan?
According to cityreal, series 119 offers more scope than series 467 or 602, where it is minimal. In Lithuanian-project buildings, LSM reports, all walls are load-bearing. An engineer always checks the individual flat.
How big is a series 119 apartment?
According to cityreal, a one-room flat in series 119 is 42 m², a two-room flat 55 m², three rooms 62 m² and four rooms 84 m². Check the exact area of your flat in the cadastre records.
How do I make a small Soviet-era kitchen work?
Use the height: cabinets to the ceiling, integrated appliances and under-cabinet lighting. If a full table will not fit, a narrow or folding table by the window helps. Test the options in 3D before ordering the kitchen.
Can I move the bathroom in a Soviet-era flat?
No specific rule was found in the sources; each case is assessed on its own. Because of the risers, the neighbours' consent may be needed, and the owner is liable for damage to neighbours. Ask the construction board or a certified specialist.
Who can design the renovation of a Soviet-era apartment in Riga?
Valerija Gelfere prepares design projects for such flats, with 3D included in every package. For the renovation she recommends tradespeople she has worked with, and you contract them directly. She has worked since 2020 and speaks Latvian, Russian and English.
Want these ideas in your apartment? Write to Valerija.