I’ve always found renovation posts incredibly helpful when planning our renovation, so here’s our journey.
Hopefully it sparks some ideas or helps you if you’re in the middle of creating a space you’ll love too. 🤍
💰 Here’s a quick breakdown:
• Interior Designer Scope: ~S$45,000
– Full hacking and renovation of both bathrooms
– Custom carpentry
– Feature wall and partition
– Glass and stone works
- Electrical & Plumbing
- Window works
- Painting
• Direct Contractors & Furnishings
– Gate, main door and bedroom doors
– Vinyl flooring
– Cat-safe window mesh
– Bathroom vanity and sanitary fittings
– Appliances, lighting, furniture
Total 💸: ~S$78,000
We went with a curved open arch at the entrance to the service yard. We had initially planned for a slim sliding door, but the existing pipes made it impossible, and we didn’t want to sacrifice valuable kitchen space. Instead, the area naturally became our cats’ territory, complete with their cat tree, while still functioning as our laundry area.
This unit was chosen because we loved how open and spacious it felt. Since we don’t cook often, an open-concept kitchen was the perfect fit for our lifestyle.
Can you spot the other cat?
Typically, this space would have been an island counter and dining area. However, we wanted something different and transformed it into a cosy living space instead. We love watching movies and TV shows, so creating a comfortable area to unwind was a priority for us, especially since the original living area felt a little too cramped.
This layout also allowed us to accommodate a 77-inch TV, and we’re so glad we chose the Samsung OLED S95F. The glare-free display has been a game changer, especially with the amount of natural light the space gets in the day.
We chose Mori Homz vinyl flooring after a friend’s recommendation. We’ve never been fans of hard tiles or grout lines, and vinyl has been a great pet-friendly choice for our home.
We also skipped floor skirting, and we’re glad we did — the cleaner look fits the space better.
Because we kept the original feature wall, we felt it was important to match the wood tones. Otherwise, I honestly would have gone with a darker wood dining table.
We replaced all the bedroom and bathroom doors. For the bathrooms, we opted for sliding mirrored doors instead of the usual bi-fold or swing doors. Not only did they help save space, but the mirrors also made the area feel brighter and more spacious. There’s also a mini storage space right behind the tv.
We opted for a full-height shower wall in our common bathroom so we could incorporate a recessed niche, keeping our soap bottles tucked away for a clean and clutter-free look.
A Carousell find — this vanity and sink combination was exactly what we were looking for. The integrated design creates a seamless finish that keeps the bathroom looking clean and minimal.
Took the risk to order this on Carousell, but they had good reviews and we were pleased with the outcome.
The layout of our master bedroom was largely shaped by our work-from-home setup, as the other rooms were already occupied. To maximise the space, we had our ID custom-build the tabletop so it sits as flush as possible against the wardrobe for a seamless, built-in look. We then paired it with height-adjustable desk legs from Taobao to create a standing desk.
A half-height wall with a shower screen was decided for the master bathroom instead of a full-height one to allow more natural light into the shower area. Since good ventilation and natural light help reduce moisture and minimise mould growth, it felt like the more practical choice. The same recessed niche concept was also incorporated to keep toiletries neatly tucked away while maintaining a clean, clutter-free look.
We decided against a mirror cabinet because we didn’t need the extra storage, and preferred having more clearance at the sink for everyday use. Instead, we opted for a full-length mirror to make the bathroom feel more open and spacious. We also included a slim ledge beneath it to conceal an LED light strip, adding a subtle ambient glow.
The renders ^^
Our renovation turned out completely different from what we had initially envisioned. We were originally going to keep things simple for this 4-room resale, but being self-taught in 3D rendering, we realised how much potential the space had while balancing aesthetics with everyday life with an active 4-year-old and two cats. Before we knew it, our simple refresh had evolved into a full overhaul.