Soft lighting, rounded shapes and neutral colors create a welcoming atmosphere inside this Kiev sex shop by Ukrainian designers Sofia Hubalovska and Natalia Stokonoj, with playful details including a phallic pillow.
Hupalovska and Stukonog, who worked together at architecture and interior design studio Balbek Bureau before Hupalovska started her own firm in 2021, wanted to create an inclusive, inviting interior that would differ from the flashy style of most adult stores.
“The concept behind Inside was to create a sex shop experience that challenges the typical clichéd aesthetics associated with such spaces,” Hubalowska explained.
“Instead of the usual neon lights and stereotypical symbols like strawberries, Inside is designed to provide a subtle and sophisticated environment.”
To achieve this goal, the designers used a muted color palette that includes shades of cream and gray that allow the products to stand out.
Metallic finishes help brighten the space by reflecting light while contributing to the modern aesthetic. These surfaces, mainly used for wall panels and accents, are also contrasted with soft details such as curtains and upholstered furniture.
The store is located in the basement without any natural light, so the designers decided to incorporate a backlit ceiling panel that provides a soft, even, daylight-like glow.
Visitors are welcomed by a reception desk set in front of a metallic backdrop to create a bright, inviting space with a semi-private feel.
In the reception area, a graceful sofa is decorated with a stylized outline of a female body. Here, customers can relax while browsing products or waiting for assistance.
The main retail space provides a simple, neutral environment for displaying products on built-in shelving. A central counter with rounded edges provides a surface for staff to assist customers with product inquiries.
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“The smooth edges of the counter reduce visual acuity and enhance the feeling of accessibility,” said Hubalowska.
“Its central location may encourage traffic flow around the space, naturally directing visitors towards the various departments and product displays.”
The shelving is designed to combat another problem arising from the store’s basement setup. Existing walls lacked straight surfaces, making it complicated to install stand-alone shelving units, so built-in storage offered a simpler, more practical solution.
Built-in shelves contribute to the interior’s elegant look, with curved edges in the upper niches echoing the lines used throughout the space.
Most of the store’s furniture and fixtures were custom-made by Ukrainian contractors, with many pieces designed using organic, rounded shapes. Examples include a fun fitting room pillow that looks like a penis.
The fitting room also features curtains that can be drawn for privacy and a curved light wall that provides uniform lighting for customers trying on items.
The sink in the main display area is designed as a monolithic element with a concrete finish that complements the raw industrial look of the store, along with exposed pipes and ducts.
Overall, the store’s interior design seeks to balance functionality and simple aesthetics with softer touches to contribute to a discreet and enjoyable shopping experience.
“The space strikes a balance between sophistication and playfulness, and this is achieved through carefully chosen materials, colors and shapes that feel luxurious yet accessible,” said Hubalowska.
During her time at Kiev-based Balbek Bureau, Hupalovska worked on projects including the interior design of a gender-neutral salon and a cocktail bar with concrete surfaces and gold accents.
Other projects from the studio include a modern restaurant incorporating classic Ukrainian forms and a house that repurposes a traditional log cabin using stainless steel and concrete.
Photography by Yevgeny Avramenko.
