It’s always a mile stone when you finally get your hands a new HDB Build-To Order (BTO) flat. That’s your very own space, your blank canvas to peruse your personality into your home. But before you dive into the world of HDB BTO interior design, it’s important to understand that renovation can be a tricky business. You don’t want to make things more difficult on yourself and fall into common traps that could cost time, money, and frustration along the way with so many decisions to make.
In this article, we review 5 common HDB BTO renovation mistakes, and how you can avoid them. Whether you’re renovating your kitchen, living room, or bathroom, these tips will help guide you through the process and ensure your HDB interior design journey is smooth and successful.
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Overlooking Practicality in HDB BTO Interior Design
It’s easy to get carried away with the aesthetics of your HDB interior design, but overlooking practicality can lead to serious regrets down the road. Often, many homeowners not only lack efforts to create beautiful spaces, but they also don’t think about how functional it is. For example, someone might put massive heavy furniture in a small living room or create a kitchen layout that makes cleanup and cooking difficult.
How to Avoid This Mistake?
Before getting started with your HDB BTO interior design, make a list of the day-to-day activities that will take place in each space. Let’s say you can go big on storage space in the kitchen to hold all your cooking essentials. If you have small children, include child proofing measures in your design (such as rounded table corners or child safe locks on cabinets). Think about traffic in your living and dining spaces—make sure there’s enough room to walk around comfortably.
Also, at least think long term. If you’re thinking of starting a family, you might want to poke a little extra space in to your nursery or add a little room for storage in your bedroom.
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Not Setting a Realistic Budget
Renovating your HDB BTO flat without understanding the cost incurred would be one of the biggest mistakes. Renovation can also blow out beyond what you expect, and quickly, mainly when there are unexpected expenses like structural work or price of quality materials. Therefore some homeowners run out of money halfway through the renovation or cut corners to stay within budget.
How to Avoid This Mistake?
To stop you from overspending, the first thing to do is set a realistic budget from the beginning. The current rule of thumb is to allocate 5-10% of your flat’s value for renovations. Material costs and labor charges are included in this. For the electrical work, carpentry, flooring, painting and furniture break down the budget. Always make sure you leave some buffer for the unexpected and, if you even make need to, seek the advice of a professional who can give you an accurate price estimation beforehand.
By sticking to a well-planned budget you will know for sure where to spend more and where to save, keeping a nice balance between design and cost.
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Professional advice can be skipped
Some homeowners think that they can handle the entire interior design and renovation process themselves or by only relying on advice from friends and family. While juggling all the work yourself is exciting and may save you some expenses, without professional input you can end up making mistakes that are hard to correct after the fact. It can be costly to repair or to live without some or many of the things your new home offers because poorly executed layout or features that weren’t installed correctly.
How to Avoid This Mistake?
Get professional help in the early planning phase. Hiring a qualified interior designer with experience in HDB BTO interior design is a smart investment. They can help you optimize space, suggest design elements that will work well all around your lifestyle, and make sure your vision comes to life. You may also require a qualified contractor for special construction such as electrical installation or carpentry. Seeing a professional for advice will prevent you from making costly mistakes and provide you with peace of mind with the renovation process.
Furthermore, this will also help you to communicate your ideas clearly with your designer or contractor. Sending them mood boards, design inspirations, and locked requirements will make it easier for you both. The more you know about what you want, the more they can help give you a space that you’ll love.
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Not paying attention to lighting
Lighting is very important in creating an ambiance and making a space functional. Furniture and the décor are usually the things homeowners pay a lot of attention to, but often ignore the massive importance of lighting design. Bad lighting in your home can cause it to feel either super dark and unwelcoming, or, in certain cases, even make it impossible to do things like cooking or reading properly.
How to Avoid This Mistake?
Diversify the type of lighting used in each room separated according to each need. First start by evaluating the amount or natural light available then complement it with artificial lighting sources. For example, simply install an adjustable downlight or pendant light in the kitchen to illuminate work places. For living room, ambience lights will be the good option, say for example soft LED strips on the floor or floor lamps to install.
Consider layering your lighting: general lighting (ambient lighting), task lighting (ambient lighting for specific work things), and accent lighting (ambient lighting for the purpose of extra light up of building element or work of art). Don’t forget that you can change the mood of the room based on the time of day or occasion.
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Forgot About Storage Solutions
Everyone who has ever lived in an HDB flat will know that storage space isn’t too plentiful. Not planning for enough storage is one of the biggest renovation mistakes: You end up with a cluttered and disorganized living space that quickly becomes of an eyesore. Storage design can be frustrating and disordered whether in the kitchen or the bedrooms, with a lack of cupboard space or inadequate closet space.
How to Avoid This Mistake?
Incorporating smart storage solutions into your HDB BTO interior design is essential. Built in storage options, like wall mounted shelves, under bed storage or hidden secrets are a good investment. Install tall cabinets or floating shelves to maximize vertical space. When it comes to pull out pantry units or multi-functional kitchen islands, which also just happen to be storage space, opt for these in the kitchen.
One you’ve probably added before: How you can see and not let go over entryway organizing: add hooks, shoe racks, and even concealed storage in this route for things to be orderly from the get-go. Also, plan ahead for future needs. If you think you will be accumulating more items, make sure there is room for your storage stuff without making your place overcrowded.
Conclusion
Renovating your HDB BTO flat is an incredibly rewarding experience that will benefit you and your family, but not without careful thought, planning and careful attention to detail. By escaping these typical renovation mistakes, you’ll make it possible to have a wonderful space that works as well, is functional, practical, and appropriate within your budget.
