Prices are getting higher, buildings are growing taller, but home sizes are becoming smaller. Such is the hard truth of buying a home in Singapore today. For new homeowners who based their purchases off condo showflats, unlocking the door for the first time can feel like Christmas morning. But, sometimes, the first thought that comes to mind is: the showflat looked bigger.
Well, we’ve established that showflats do a great job at concealing their layouts and dimensions IRL. But that doesn’t mean you’ve been catfished either. With a little help, and possibly at a fraction of the showflat’s renovation costs, you can make your condo appear bigger.
1. Glass partitions
Hacking a wall to enlarge the condominium’s living room may seem like a no-brainer, but it may be prudent to think twice before forsaking one of three precious rooms. It may be additional storage space now, but who knows when you would need an additional home office, guestroom, or even a nursery?
Glass partitions, not unlike the ones some condominiums use for their closed kitchens, make a sweet compromise. It helps the living area feel more breathable, and lets in even more natural light into your home. In fact, this very quality, combined with the sound insulation of an enclosed space, makes it the perfect study. And when you do find another use for it, just install roller blinds or curtains and privacy is restored again.
2. Fluted doorways
Fluted panels are a popular pick for feature walls and television panels, but why not along the doorway too? Interior design is all about lines, and camouflaging door frames in a backdrop of fluted panels elongates the doorway while creating a seamless look. It also brings an element of surprise when visitors uncover “hidden doors” in your lair.
If you find the good ol’ wooden textures too dull, you can always shake it up by colour blocking or make display shelves out of them. It’s not a shabby idea, especially if that corner of your house receives plenty of natural sunlight.
3. Floating furniture
Other than fluted panels, the illusion of height can also be achieved by playing with proportions. For starters, “low profile” furniture that stays close to the ground—specifically those used in Japandi and Wabi Sabi-themed homes—creates more negative space.
Floating desks, television consoles, and nightstands are a good place to start. If you’re in the market for a platform bed, a floating one with LED lightning underneath may be a good place to start. As for the dining tables, sofas, and chairs that are too bulky to be anti-gravity, look out for exposed legs with minimal silhouettes. You may have to sacrifice a fair bit of storage space, but it’ll help your home feel that much airier.
4. Mounted furniture
Other than staying close to the ground, it also helps to seize every opportunity to mount furniture onto or against the walls. For example, homeowners who don’t host guests regularly may not have a need for six dining chairs. Instead, a built-in bench like the one above may do the trick while maximising storage space underneath. For the occasional party, they can always count on expandable tables that pull out on both ends to seat 6-8 people.
5. Curved edges
What happens if your load-bearing walls can’t be hacked, and you need all the storage space in the world? Not everyone can maintain a minimalist lifestyle—and we get it. Even if you’re one to hoard, there’s no need to feel claustrophobic if you knew how to work your lines.
A few curved silhouettes can go a long way in softening the sharp angles of your floor plan. Whether on a wall recess, dining island, or storage benches, they have a way of lending your home an organic look and feel. Because nothing in nature is symmetrical, remember? With some greenery, these arches, domes, and waves can turn a dull, boxy layout into a relaxing tropical home.
Know other ways to make a condominium unit appear bigger? Let us know in the comments below.
コメント