Simple guide to find out what's your home furnishing costs

Here is a simple info-graphic from RenoNation for 1st time homeowners. :)

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Space Saving Ideas: Bathroom Accessories

If you have a mere 4 sqm of bathroom space? What would you do?

The condominium designs of these days are shrinking like crazy. This can't be helped since the  developers have purchased the land at a high price and at the same time, our dear Nanny of the State  (NoS) has restricted the ability of homeowners to borrow greatly.
I could go on and on about how NoS could have and SHOULD have stepped in earlier - and yet they have let the property prices raced ahead. They are 101 things they shouldn't have done and should have done..lack of foresight is really glaring indeed! But I will blog about these some other time lah!

Anyway, here are some of really neat space saving finds for your bathroom. I figured these should be used for normal size bathroom if you wish to maximize every inch of your space.

Here they are....:

Retractable Bamboo Laundry Hamper

Retractable Bamboo Laundry Hamper. Due to its size, aside from bathroom, it can be placed in utility place, kitchen bed room, patio, balcony and so on. I don't really fancy the legs but I guess the legs can be sawed off and wall mounted.  Grab one at westelm.com which ships internationally (Read: a bit expensive  when you consider the shipping costs) or you can get cheaper alternatives at amazon.

Smart Shower Partition

I seriously don't know what to call this. Simply put, it is a cleverly designed retractable shower partition that makes use of mirror to enlarge the bathroom. This product is a brainchild of duravit. Since shower enclosure eats up precious space in the bathroom, why don't we maximize the space by doing away the enclosure? The product works like this:

A frame in brilliant chrome provides the contours on the wall. Two large self-locking glass doors are fitted in the frame, in a translucent design or with a mirror on one side. After showering, these doors can simply be folded against the wall. This avoids a rail protruding into the room, the tap fittings and shower hose are concealed and the bathroom appears much larger, particularly with mirrored glass. 

My take? I really adore such well-thought and an idea that looks pretty. Practical application will be for common bath which is not so frequently utilized. We can reclaim the enclosed space and use the area for other purposes. Moreover, this solution is a good alternative since taking away the shower screen permanently will mean messy and wet bathroom when it is used.

Nonetheless, I can't find this in Singapore...yet. Maybe its products are only found in atas high-end retailers? In the meantime, I guess we can show this idea to our ah-beng contractors and hopefully, they can replica one so that budget conscious homeowners like me can afford. :(

Smart Stowable Shower Screen

This ingenious idea is mooted by the creative homeowners from rumbleinstyle. Inspired by the  duravit retractable shower screen, they have designed a one-sided shower screen which can be nicely stowed away when not in use and it doubles up as a large glass cabinet once they installed the shelves behind the shower screen. If we replace the glass screen with a mirrored on, it will look very similar to the  duravit retractable shower screen! Brilliant idea!

Thanks all for today. If you have any more ideas to share...do contact me. :)

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High Court sides with couple in renovation tussle

image from weisradio

"Singapores High Court has reversed a district judges decision that a couple -- Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel Ng Boo Han and his wife Audrey-Ann Koo Oi Lian -- should pay their neighbour $47,000 as compensation for renovating their house into an English country-style home, said media reports. Instead, the court ordered the renovator Edward Teo to pay the couple more than $67,000 for delivering inferior work and for failing to remedy defects.In a ruling published yesterday (22 December), Judicial Commissioner Edmund Leow gave credence to the report of a surveyor, who was hired by the couple to look into the defects of their revamped home. Specifically, Leow upheld the claims for six of 15 allegedly flawed items like the use of a zinc roof instead of one made from ceramic tiles as stipulated in the contract and the installation of a 4mm-thick glass panel for the study room, which is considered too thin by industry standards. The Judicial Commissioner said the district judge made a mistake when he dismissed the couples counterclaim for rectification costs due to inconsistencies in their evidence. Even assuming that no repair work had been carried out, the fact still remains that there were defects in Teos work that required rectification. However, he rejected claims for other defective items, such the timber deck as the couple had failed to specify in the contract that they wanted a stronger material......"
Read the rest of the article here.

I wish to highlight the importance of having a comprehensive contract which states the material, specification and the make and scope of the renovation works. During a court tussle, the contract is by far an extremely important document. Hence, do take the time to sit down and flesh out the details before signing on the dotted line.

Since anything that is agreed verbally will not be held up in court unless it is written down and acknowledged by both parties, please perform a contract variation as and when needed. Written communication such as emails between both parties can be submitted as supporting evidence in times of dispute...but they might or might not be recognized, depending on the clarity of the email exchanges.

This couple is very lucky to have the court ruled in their favor. However, not all couples are as fortunate as them.

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Ceiling Design Inspirations

Ceiling is often the most neglected area when it comes to home renovation. This is because most homeowners are very clueless what to do with it; aside from cladding it with false ceiling, clove lighting...or hanging sparkling chandeliers or even giving it a pop of colorful neon paint...

Well, fret not! Here are some ideas which you can adopt too!

Image from haybert

Installing the same fabric which you have used for your furnishing on the ceilings too..hey why didn't I think of that?!

Image from houzz 

Adding planking in between beams helps to achieve additional depth and visual interest.

Image from remals

Installing draping fabrics. It is actually commonly seen at the Malay weddings, very stunning effect!

Image from  tapja.com 

Colorful rainbow ceilings...wow!

Image from ceiling-design

Install stretch tray ceiling with falling crystal chandelier adds a subtle luxurious touch!

Image from Homedit

The walls and ceiling were covered with old doors . Pretty intriguing ...really brings another meaning to recycling of old stuffs!

Paint your ceiling black...and install lots of cool LED design lighting! Looking awesome doesn't it?!

Image from Homedit

Over 2000 woooden sticks line the walls and ceiling of the shop, creating fluidity throughout BUT a nightmare to clean!

Image from iondecoration

Ceiling made of wooden traditional herringbone pattern, packs drama in this otherwise ordinary room.

Image from iondecoration

“Plain” whitewashed wood planks and crystal Chandigarh complements in this French country design perfectly!

Image from suckerpunchdaily

Humm...I think this effect would be even more awesome if we replace the material used with many crystals woven together.

Image from 2014interiordesignarticle.com

Light installed with fabric drapes...covers up the ceiling entirely!

Image fromhometrendesign

Posters, art pieces need not be hang only on the 4 walls. You can make full use of your vertical space by hanging erm' on the ceilings too! 

Food for thought: Doesn't this make the ceiling a 5th wall then? 

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Open House organised by Interior Design firms

Image from challenge.gov.sg

Have been attending a few open houses hosted by a few Interior Companies lately. Not that we are renovating our place...which we would if  we have the spare cash to do so! 

Well, Mr Diva and myself has been entrusted with a renovation project by our loved one...and thus we have been arming ourselves with the latest renovation news and happenings. Hopefully, we can help to make the renovation journey a smooth one for her.

The last few rounds were very useful and insightful. I would strongly encourage homeowners to attend these open houses because you get to:

1. See the actual workmanship and quality of the material provided by the Interior Company;
2. Mingle and talk to different Interior Designers at the same time;
3. Be inspired by the various different design themes;
4. Find out more on the prices, especially on the special Packages are usually offered.*

* However, I strongly advise not to sign up on the spot. Remember to do your homework and compare different packages offered before making any decisions. Try to bargain before signing anything.

Nonetheless, the open house could have been better:

1. Spread the number of people attending the Open House in different batches; this is mainly for crowd control as the flat is usually too small to fit in so many people!
2. Brief and detail what was done to the homeowners upfront instead of waiting to be asked; this helps to cut down the time spent in the flat;
3. Some Interior Designers in their haste to get the Open House ready simply forgot to prepare the unit properly; examples include leaving behind ugly stickers, unfinished silicons and this will affect the homeowners impression of their workmanship. Hummm....This really defects the purpose of "putting their best foot forward" isn't it?

Well, have you attended any Open House lately? Do share your thoughts!

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KITCHEN MATERIALS GUIDE from The Laminex Group

For homeowners who are still not sure which kitchen countertop to choose from, Laminex Group provides a very comprehensive guide for Kitchen benchtops. The following information extracted from their website should help you in making the right decision.

" Laminate High Pressure Laminate (HPL) remains a popular choice for benchtops. Thanks to advances in printing technology, you can now have access to a myriad of stunning, stylish and contemporary looks in a cost-effective way compared with other benchtop surfaces. With hundreds of decors available, including solid colours, woodgrains, modern abstracts and real stone patterns, the potential to achieve your desired design style is easy. HPL is formed around a thick substrate to make a laminate benchtop, which can deliver profiles from bullnose to more contemporary slab-like stone looks. You can also enhance your look with a range of finishes from textured to high gloss.

Plus, a range of edging options including laminate, ABS and acrylic products offer the flexibility to create a colour matched square-edge without the traditional black line, to complete the look. 

Compact Laminates Compact Laminate is a thicker version of HPL. Typically around 13mm thick, it can be decorated on one or both faces. It’s thickness means that panels are strong, self-supporting, moisture resistant, and durable. When it comes to edging, compact laminate features a distinctive black core which also serves as a unique design feature particularly when a sleek modern industrial look is desired. 

Engineered Stone Engineered stone is a desirable material for many kitchen applications based on its durability, stain resistance, choice of modern colours and a variety of edge profiles. The product is a composite material made of small to medium pieces of stone bound together by resins. The main ingredient is generally natural quartz or marble that can vary depending on the brand and quality of engineered stone. It’s generally fabricated and installed by a stonemason. 

Natural Stone For a premium natural stone benchtop, there are a number of materials available including granite, marble, limestone and soapstone. You can also choose between several edge treatments including full or half bull-nosed, pencil edged or bevelled. A stonemason fabricates the benchtop with specialised cutting and finishing equipment.

Polished Concrete Concrete is a tailor-made material that’s practical and aesthetic at the same time. And the opportunities for creative expression are many. It starts as a formless, watery mixture, which you can transform into virtually any solid shape you desire. You can then grind, polish, stamp or stain it.

Acrylic Solid Surfaces Solid surfaces are manufactured from a coloured acrylic and, on occasion, polyester resin. An acrylic benchtop tradesperson fabricates the sheets, which can also be formed to create curves and organic shapes as part of the benchtop design. They can also be routered for 

functionality or design detailing. 

Solid Timber Solid timber benchtops are manufactured from blocks of natural timber and coated with several layers of clear high-gloss lacquer. You can choose from a variety of profi les including pencil round, bull-nose, and colonial. Overall the look offers a natural richness and depth with toning dependant on the timber species.

Stainless Steel Stainless steel doesn’t corrode, rust or stain like regular steel. An alloy combination of chromium and iron, it comes in various grades and types so when you’re looking to add stainless steel to your kitchen, it’s important to choose a grade that will suit the use it’s intended for.  

Glass Glass benchtops offer a unique look with a touch of class. Common glass types include crafted, tempered, etched and textured. Each can be finished with mirror gloss or frosted/sandblasted surfaces to stunning effect, but regular cleaning may be required to keep marks and fingerprints 
under control."

My Thoughts

Out of so many materials, I only have hands on experience for laminate top and acrylic solid surface.

With proper care, I realized that laminate top can last for many years. They will chip when subjected to hard knocks and and also mold if the environment is damp. As for acrylic solid surface, I would recommend using dark colored solid surfaces since light colored solid surfaces stain very easily. 

Nonetheless, for my next benchtop, I would like to try natural stones such as granite or marble.

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HDB Defect Checking Revisited

"Any defect checklist to share?"
"Hey babe, what should we look out for once we have gotten our keys?"
"Defects?! Do you mean new flats have defects meh?!"

Anyway, I have been getting quite a fair bit of requests from my friends asking for my defect checklist and hence decided to revisit this topic again. As most of them are 1st time HDB owners, they were clueless what, where and even why bother to check!?

I have been covering what, where in many of my posts. As to WHY? I have to reiterate this again: 

Once your renovation starts, it is hard to justify to HDB that the defect is not caused by your renovation professionals! Furthermore, it will take a loooong time for HDB to entertain you. Why? In order to cater to Singaporean's calls for cheaper and cheap housing; HDB has been building non stop for the past with few years in order to get a tidal supply of HDB flats ready for owner occupation by 2016-2017. Fast construction is not good; it generally means sloppy jobs, poor inferior quality (due to escalating building costs and yet the pressure to keep things cheap) and MORE defects.

Therealsingapore - Terrible workmanship brand new BTO flats Tampines

Straitstimes - Residents turn to facebook to highlight BTO Defects
Construction crunch taking toll housing developments
The peak residents see red over defects

Enough of my rumblings; I will devote my time to outline what should you do to prepare yourself and what to look out for.

Here are the links to my older posts:

HDB defects checklist Part 1

HDB defect checklist Part 2
HDB defect checking tips

What Tools to Bring

Tapes and Markers 

Tapes and Markers are essential to mark out the defective areas. I prefer masking tapes since they are easy to remove without leaving sticky residue and permanent markers to write on these making tapes. I would recommend to get them in at least 2 colors; Red for the major defects and Yellow for the minor ones, so that the HDB technician will know what areas to focus on rectifying first. On top of this, I also wrongly advise numbering and scribbling notes on the description of the defects so that miscommunication can be minimized.

 Spirit Level 

 I used spirit level  to check if the walls, doors, windows are slated way too much so to determine as to see if there are any structural deviations with the room and wall measurements and that the doors and windows are properly aligned and upright.

 Torchlight and Stool or Ladder 

A torchlight is great for dark nooks. In addition, and stool or ladders for inspecting those high out of reach places. 

Coins or Marbles

I prefer marbles since they give off a distinct hollow sound when knocked against hallow tiles or timber strips.

Cameras

 I am sure most of us owns a camera smart phone and thus shouldn't be a problem. Unless you very kia su- you can consider using DSLR or SLR to take extreme closeups of the defects.  :)

Photos are meant to document the defects visually so that we can make a comparison whether anything has been done, they provide excellent evidence if there are any disputes. 

Parents or Helpful Friends

Ask them along to help to check out the defect. You will be surprised that it will take at least 2 days to check everything. But be sure to bring friends who have an excellent eye for details and not those who only want to kaypo only.

What and Were to Check

As to what to check for doors and floors, you can checkout these infographic

.

Let me add on a few more words for the following:

Parquet Floors

I know some would insist not to knock each and every of the parquet tiles for hollowness and that one should look out for are scratches and gaps in between the parquet tiles since parquet tiles do not popup. 

I have to disagree.

Hollowness is NOT okay because empty tiles means nesting grounds for insects like ants, spiders etc. And when you have to sand the parquet tiles to remove scratches in future, your hollow tiles will get even thinner...and more easily dent from knocks etc! 

Please lar, don't be lazy and yet them replaced!

And....please keep an eye on the parquet! Unfortunately for the DBSS residents from City View and The Peak, the developer seemed to use inappropriate material for the parquet flooring and results in the parquet turning dark with "moisture-like" stains...

Sinks, Water Pipes and so on.

Check ALL your drainage holes - sinks, toilets, etc for blockage.

*Update*
What happens if you skip this step? Well..shit happens? Unbelievable? Then, check out this shitty post!

Doors and Hinges

I realized that many homeowners have ditched the HDB quality, solid bathrooms for the plastic-bifold doors! These is because they felt that solid bathroom doors are bulky and take up space. Seriously, bifold doors don't last as long as the solid 1 leaf doors which HDB provide. In fact, all my relatives have sworn off bifold doors and stick with the traditional ones.

Water Leakage

Toilet bowls might leak if they are not installed properly and it is hard to detect such leaks with clear water. What you can do is to use those colored toilet cleaners such as Clorox. If there is any leak, you can see blue water forming around the toilet bowls.

Not checking every defects

You might be surprised that you shouldn't check every area in your place; IF only you have planned your renovation in advance. I mean, it doesn't make sense to waste time and energy to get the HDB to replace the hallow tiles in your bathroom when you already have plans to get them retiled with your renovation professional.

Neighbors

If you are lucky and your neighbors are also in the process of getting their HDB defects rectified as you, you should find out what kinds of defects they have. Lets say that you need your floors to be retiled and your neighbors too, the changes of getting this defect rectified earlier is higher due to economics of scales. ie. HDB will probably assign a team of tilers to perform the rectification work for you and your neighbors at the same time.

Locks!

Get a number lock to lock up your premises after you have complete your checks and have submitted the defect list to HDB. This is to deter any other intruders who may cause damage to your unit. Make sure that you only disclose the number lock combination to the technical officer in charge.

Ok...thats it for today.

Happy Deepavali everyone! 

  

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Hiding in Plain Sight: Secrets Inside of Everyday Objects

I am working on a new project and during my research, I discovered this very interesting post: Hiding in Plain Sight.

Image from weburbanist

I love the idea of hiding everyday things and stashing 'erm away since I really really *hate* visual clutter. This great video will make you rethink on ways to maximise the little forgotten nooks...and a second thought...this might be how a typical 007 agent hides his stuffs!  

Enjoy!

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Paradigm of a "livable" Home

 

 Image from dornob

"When it comes to interior furniture furnishing, it is no longer just about color and aesthetics. It is about creating a personal intimate space which enhances our quality of life. 

It is about a Home which ultimately brings out the best in us.

It is about moving away from whatever perceived norms or space constraints which were placed upon us."

As I noticed the growing popularity of small size apartment which has steadily taking hold in Singapore recently, this thought suddenly came to mind. 

The steady downward march of the home sizes is fueled by the pressure on the developers to keep the quantum of the property purchase affordable. This is so far the most effective means of coping with rising home prices.

However, a smaller unit size certainly certainly poses a big challenge for homeowners like us. Many of us might have veered clear of smaller units due to the misconception that smaller units are simply "not-livable"

Nonetheless, I realized that all we need is a subtle shift in our paradigm of a "livable" home.

Just take a look at this video.


Are you amazed at how one can really maximize the use of very limited space?

In order to utilize our space effectively, we have to start to think in terms of multi-dimensional space; a space can function for different purposes at approporate juncture.

Apart from this, we have to think of muli-functional furniture pieces too; furniture which pulls double or triple duty to suit the homeowner's needs and purposes.

Image from designrulz. Multiplo modular furniture can be a bed, table, sitting room and much more.

Image from bharatdreamhome. The bed can be tucked away when not in use.

Interestingly, there was an initiative from a developer, to showcase that size doesn't matter when a home has been correctly furnished. The pilot involves a family of 3 and the family would feedback to the developer during the trial stay.

Free concept condo trial showcases small space

I would love to findout the outcome of the trial but so far, I am unable to find any more news on this. 

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Should you DIY your Renovation?

 Image from Decorate101 

hi! i would like to seek your advice. i am actually thinking of doing without a ID/contractor. reason being i think we can diy our renovation. we are not intended to do any fancy fixtures or false ceilings. so mainly it is a paint job and buying of furnishings and furnitures. the only constructions that need to be done would be a window ledge and tv console. what are your views?

A reader left the above comment in one of my blog post recently. As he/she did not leave behind any contact, I decided to respond to this inquiry in my blog.

I believe that completing a renovation project without an ID or contractor does have certain risks. After all, specific skill sets, experience and expertise are involved.

Hence, I only recommend this approach if the extent of renovation is very very minimal and that you have the time and patience to research the works that need to be done.

For instance, let us take a look at painting.
There are many different types of paint available in the market to cater to different budget and needs. Furthermore, with enough research, you will realize that the existing walls have to be prepared properly before the new paint is applied.
 
Trust me -  it is a literally back-breaking although fun experience - I have been through and done that with my family. :) 

In fact, do keep in mind that a lot of research on what is involved and what is the proper process of completing the works has to be done.

That involves cleaning of the walls, stripping of the old paint, patching up dents, and applying of primer and so on. However, that is not half the work done. Masking of the window, door ledges etc needs to be done before the new paint can be applied. Proper canvas have to be used to cover the floors etc. There are several painting techniques involved too.

Next, let us take a step back and relook at why do you want to DIY. Is it due to the budget concerns? Or do you believe that you will do a better job than the professionals?

Real case in point.

A close friend of mine decided to DIY her 5 room flat with her partner. The desire to cut costs was the main impetus for her decision.
The outcome was less than ideal. Although she initially saved a few hundred or thousand dollars, the renovation took much longer than expected. As she has already committed and purchased all the equipment and raw materials needed, she couldn't bail out when things started to go wrong.To quote a few example:

The paint job was uneven (despite her best efforts); her partner couldn't drill and secure the curtain rails properly since he is totally inexperienced.To make things worse, the walls moulded after a few months because the primer and paint did not dry properly. Furthermore, her partner sprained his back and had to see the specialist.

In the end, they ended up spending more to undo the damage they have caused.

Remember, most renovation works done by the renovation professionals do come with some form of warranty.

Hence, sometimes it might be more advisable to let the professionals do the work. :)

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Will Renovation Raise the Price of Your Property - Part 2

Image from Livingspace

I posted my views on whether renovation will raise the price of your property in May two years ago. I read with interest that similar views were shared in this article recently.

So you might be wondering why on earth do I bring up this article again?

Now, as a case in point, let's look at what happened today.

A property agent was trying his very best to convince us to purchase a resale unit. With a high COV of course.

Here is a quick overview at the situation at hand:

Family Makeup: 

A family of 4, maid and 2 hyper active dogs. 

Renovation Works: 

Very extensive; additional grills at the service yard and balcony to keep in and keep out the active dogs; bomb shelter which has been remodeled as a maid's room (and the bomb shelter's door was removed!! That is not permitted! Please refer to my post on Renovation Works allowed for Bomb Shelter.) A study room for the kids constructed in the middle of the hallway, a huge and thick TV feature wall cum storeroom with a 42" hole set aside for the flat screen TV. Due to this huge feature wall cum storeroom, there is simply no space for any sofas. Walls were removed for an open concept kitchen, room doors and walls were relocated, additional walls constructed to allow for a bigger master bedroom with a semi walk-in wardrobe.

And the list goes on.  

Obviously, their interior designer took great pains to ensure that the entire place is customized according to the family lifestyle needs. Hence, I am sure the family has spent a huge bomb in their renovation.

However, the family and the property agent is being unrealistic when they expect their prospective buyers to pay a premium for their renovation decision.
Every family's lifestyle need is unique. Yes, not every family comes with a maid or pets.
There are families who want sofas in the living room. And to add on - most flat screen TV can't even fit into the TV feature wall cum storeroom. 

To end off this post, it is very comical to hear the following condescending comments from the Property Agent.

"This is MOVE IN condition! No need to renovate what! ALL YOUR NEEDS ARE TAKEN CARE OF! Why do you want to remove the feature wall?! Do you have any idea how much the owner has spent in the renovation?! "

Gosh.

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Home Renovation Portals

Homeowners of today are so fortunate; the number of home renovation portals in Singapore has flourished in the intranet for the past few years.

Such portals provide a one-stop self-service destination whereby homeowners can conveniently request for quotations from different renovation companies at the same time. In addition, they are a valuable source of information for homeowners to read up on home renovation tips and so on. 

iCompare.sg

What sets iCompare apart from the other home renovation portal is the extensive range of home services - from Home - Interior Design, House Mover etc, IT Services - Website Development, eCommerce Development etc, Wedding - Bridal Boutique, Wedding Photography, Life - Private Investigator, Driving Centre and even Beauty - Dental, Hair Care etc!

In short, iCompare offers a pretty comprehensive range of services. 

RenoNation

RenoNation is a relatively new home renovation portal. Nonetheless, prospective homeowners still flock to this site due to its clean sleek design, interactive services such as "Ask Professional" eServices and the ability for homeowners to rate and post their reviews of the Interior Design firms. 

RenoTalk

RenoTalk is one of the oldest pioneer home renovation portal in Singapore. In fact, I used to frequent its forum when I was preparing for my home renovation. In addition, I noticed RenoTalk has started to have an online product catalog too.

RenoMango

RenoMango is a new portal launched sometime in April last year. Its layout reminds me of the yellow pages but nevertheless, its a good source of home interiors and renovation information.

Plush Home 

Plush Home is very similar to RenoMango. It also has products and services listings.

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5 Useful Furnishing Tips

Here is a guest article written by Kelly from FurnitureSingapore.net, a local website that provides a comprehensive listing of furniture stores and information to help consumers make better purchase decisions. Do drop by the website to take a look too! :)

As of June 2013, Singapore’s population reached a whopping 5.4 million people, and the government has been scaling up their efforts to provide citizens and PRs with housing; in a recent BTO exercise, HDB launched over 5,200 flats. If you’re an existing, new or future home owner, this helpful list of furnishing tips is just for you!

1) Hide Your Bed

One of the furniture that takes up the most space in a room would be the bed. If you have a queen size bed, you’d be using up approximately 152cm by 191cm of floor space in your room. In a small HDB apartment, this might take up more than half of the area in your bedroom, yikes!

An innovative solution to this issue would be the hidden wall bed, a type of bed frame which can be folded up against the wall when not in use, and then pulled back down when you’re ready to count sheeps.

2) Multipurpose Furniture

Another smart way to free up space in your home would be to cut down on the number of furniture that you have. Enter the multi-purpose furniture!

Multi-purpose furniture is furniture that serves more than 1 function; there are many different types of multipurpose furniture, the most popular of which are furniture with an added storage function. For example, 1) the storage bed, 2) stool plus magazine rack and 3) sofa plus book case.

 

3) Research Before Shopping

If you visit the local home renovation and furnishing forums, you’ll find quite a number of threads where unhappy customers complain about product defects with their newly purchased furniture. You’ll want to look out for furniture stores that have a high number of complaints, and see whether the store was able to successfully resolve the customer’s issue.

Some of the more active forums you can visit are 1) Home Furnishing section in Renotalk and 2) Home Décor & Furnishing section in Hardwarezone,

In addition to customer feedback online, other useful information to have includes 1) the furniture store’s return policy for their items, and 2) store recommendations from friends and family members.

4) Out With The Old, In With The new

It goes without saying that to create more space in your house, you’ve got to remove some of your old items. As of November 2013, HDB has seen an increase in the number of hoarding cases. In the majority of these cases, the home owners involved just didn’t know how to go about removing their old furniture and items.

The different ways to get rid of your old furniture would be to sell it, donate it or trash it. If you’re looking to sell your second hand furniture, you can consider selling it to used furniture dealers here. Alternatively, you can donate your furniture to charitable organisations like Pass It On and the Salvation Army.

5) Furnish On A Budget

If you’re looking to save some money on your furniture purchases, a quick and easy way to do that would be to look for clearance sales online. Several furniture stores have a clearance sales or sales promotion section on their website, where they feature discounted items that they like to quickly sell off. These items are usually 1) outdated, 2) have minor defects, or 3) they’re the display furniture in the showroom. You can visit FurnitureSingapore.net for a big list of stores offering cheap furniture and furniture sales.

　

Author Bio

Kelly Ong is the editor at FurnitureSingapore.net, a local website that provides a comprehensive listing of furniture stores and information to help consumers make better purchase decisions. Kelly enjoys discussing and writing about topics on home furnishing and décor. In her free time, she thinks of ways to beautify her living and working spaces.

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