Tiny but Mighty: Design Hacks to Max Out Your Singapore BTO Flat’s Space

PUBLISHED February 28th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 05:34 pm

Don’t let your apartment’s square footage cramp your style! Done right, a compact BTO flat can be the epitome of comfort and style just like any bigger home. The puzzle is figuring out the right balance of things like storage and furniture without creating visual clutter. To start, arm yourself with these clever design hacks to give your home the style upgrade it deserves.

Employ Colour Tricks

Lighter colours are an all-time favourite and it’s no surprise since they make a room feel bigger and brighter. Using the same shade for your walls and ceiling amplifies the effect by making the room seem taller.

To get more depth, try a full-length mirror that’ll trick your eye into thinking there’s even more space.

For even more colour play, match signature furniture pieces (like the sofa) with the wall so they blend in – but don’t forget to have one or two accent colours for contrast.

Get Creative with Vertical Space

Don’t squander the precious space you get from merging a junior bedroom with the living/dining area, instead, go vertical!

Without visually weighty frames and lines, open shelves and wall-mounted storage make the room look that much more spacious – and of course free up floor space for things like an additional chair.

To really squeeze out that extra space (and up the aesthetic), consider slotting your decor in wall niches.

Get see-through doors or partitions

For spaces in your home that don’t require much privacy, swap out the standard wooden doors for glass doors or partitions. This opens up the space visually while still keeping them separate. It also does away with the claustrophobic feeling too, particularly if you’re set on having a darker colour scheme in your home.

Bonus tip: choose sliding glass doors if you want to save on swing space.

Choose Multi-Functional Carpentry

In a compact home, fixtures that can pull double duty become all the more important. Take the kitchen, for example, where countertop space can be limited.

Here’s an idea: having a peninsula/breakfast bar that doubles as a counter for extra food prep space.

Instead of a solid base, keep it breezy and empty so you don’t end up with a counter that ‘blocks’ the space both literally and visually.

All it takes is a little creativity – and good planning

Tackling a compact space can be challenging, but don’t let it intimidate you. Start by first considering your lifestyle needs and how you use your space to better plan your home, and then speak with your interior designer to get their insights.

Haven’t found an interior designer for your BTO renovation yet? Fret not because you can connect with an interior firm via Qanvast – just answer a few questions about your budget and design requirements to get free list of reliable firms. You will also be eligible for the Qanvast Trust Programme, which includes the $50,000 Qanvast Guarantee that safeguards your deposits.

Qanvast is Singapore’s go-to renovation platform to find reliable interior firms. Get amazing home ideas, read useful renovation tips, connect with reliable interior firms and enjoy exclusive perks! Find out more at qanvast.com/sg.

Top Image Qanvast | Interior firm: Ascend Design