After many weeks of prowling RenoTalk, I've decided to start my own T-blog! I hope to contribute as much as I have gained from RT.

Besides that, I also think it will be extremely fun and meaningful to jot down our reno journey.

I've yet to come across a house like mine in RT, or maybe I have not searched hard enough.

At any case, hopefully it will help people with shoebox units like mine. Looking forward to hear from more shoebox units owners to share about their experiences too.

Basically, my SO and I bought a new one bedroom condo unit in Geylang. The reason for the title is that we like to joke that we bought a penthouse because we got the unit at the highest floor.

In actual fact, our unit is no different from others hahaha.

We will be getting our keys in April and we started the hunt for IDs before CNY. Met a few and finally decided on one.

We have paid the deposit and will be choosing our laminates tomorrow for the 3D drawings! (been wanting to use this emoticon for the longest time)

Any dos or don'ts when choosing laminates?

Below is our floor plan

As it's a small unit (452 sqft / 42 sqm), I spent a lot of time cracking my brain on the layout.

We need to create areas for food preparation (the kitchen table top they provided is simply too small!), dining, mahjong games , and most importantly storage. Like many have advised in RT, you can never have enough storage!

Our unit does not come with a bomb shelter like most units, so we have to create our own.

Can be both good and bad. Good cos we get more area to work on and decide on where we want to build our storage space. Bad because we have to spend money to build it!

My first idea was to have an island which will serve as a preparation and dining area. It should also come with cabinet below to maximize storage space.

Then, to create more storage, there should be a long full height cabinet across the living, from the door to balcony.

As you can see from the floor plan, there will be a built in wardrobe in the bedroom. But it's way too small for the amount of clothes we have! So we wrote to the developer and opted to have it excluded in the construction. Instead, we will be building a L-shape wardrobe. Though it's not as big as I would like it to be, it can at least house more clothes than the original little wardrobe.

Maybe cos I'm used to having a study desk, I find it a very important factor to consider during my planning. And I found this online that suits me perfectly!

After many discussions with many IDs (so tiring to repeat myself over and over again), here's a draft floor plan from our chosen ID:

Yes you saw right, that's a round sofa right there.

And why is there a round sofa? Cos on a fateful Saturday, we bought it as an impulsive buy! This was even before we hunted for IDs.

I wanted to go IFC to just take a look at furniture, and while I was in the loo, my SO took a rest in one of the shops and that's it. The deal was sealed.

Truth to be told, we fell in love with the sofa instantly. It was unique and comfortable. We could stretch our legs out fully then seated and that's something not many sofas can offer! And we can customize to exactly how we like it. We have a choice of fabric or techno leather (I think it's just another fanciful term for man made leather), and there is a super duper wide range of colors to choose from.

We do not want real leather as I've heard plenty of horror stories of mould growing on it.

I have people telling me we paid too much for it, but I think it's very important to have a comfortable and nice sofa that we can relax on after work.

Or maybe there are similar sofas around at a cheaper price, but at that moment we were just so excited upon receiving news that we will be getting keys soon. It was more like a "mood" thingy for me, and no amount of money can buy that

We opted for a platform bed in the bedroom that comes with storage. Yes to more storage!

As indicated on the floor plan, it's suggested we place the washing machine/dryer and fridge in the kitchen. But I'm really really in love with this 2 door Samsung fridge that will not fit if we place our washer/dryer beside it.

Thus, I have asked the ID to house the washer/dryer at the balcony. He said it's possible but still depends on site survey. So keeping my fingers crossed!

Picture of the beauuuutiful fridge LOVE IT LOVE IT!

Okay that's all for a start. I think I've rambled on enough... Hope I didn't confuse anyone.

Anyway feel free to comment and give suggestions! Will appreciate all inputs. We are here to learn!

Edited February 28, 201313 yr by beejeebee

great ... i also bought a mickey mouse but year later before TOP..... looking forward to see ur layout as mine is pretty close layout as urs but comes with bomb shelter...

great ... i also bought a mickey mouse but year later before TOP..... looking forward to see ur layout as mine is pretty close layout as urs but comes with bomb shelter...

Hi melmeow, nice to see you here!

How're your fractured legs?

So which area did you buy? Maybe can share your floor plan if you don't mind. I love looking at floor plans!

Hi melmeow, nice to see you here!

How're your fractured legs?

So which area did you buy? Maybe can share your floor plan if you don't mind. I love looking at floor plans!

serangoon area...fracture no good la....6wks later decide fate..me same layout as u. except ur toilet location is my bomb shelter ... my toilet is where ur balcony resides. kitchen is directly opp ur kitchen

serangoon area...fracture no good la....6wks later decide fate..me same layout as u. except ur toilet location is my bomb shelter ... my toilet is where ur balcony resides. kitchen is directly opp ur kitchen

Oh please take care!

Sounds nice.. So you have no balcony?

Put washer/dryer in the balcony.. to free up space in the kitchen.

Put washer/dryer in the balcony.. to free up space in the kitchen.

Ya that'd be most ideal. Hopefully we get the go ahead after the site survey!

If u gonna get a side by side fridge, it's very noisy.

U might want to consider a glass partition between the kitchen and the living area, so that if u wanna do some fancy cooking, the fumes will not get to the living room, also for the sound reason. Partition can be next to bedroom door, and also integrate with your massive tv console/storage cabinet.

bedroom side dun need to access the balcony, unless u got a smoker living there.

If u gonna get a side by side fridge, it's very noisy.

U might want to consider a glass partition between the kitchen and the living area, so that if u wanna do some fancy cooking, the fumes will not get to the living room, also for the sound reason. Partition can be next to bedroom door, and also integrate with your massive tv console/storage cabinet.

bedroom side dun need to access the balcony, unless u got a smoker living there.

Side by side fridge like the Samsung one I like? Why would it be noisy?

Yeah! There's gonna be a 2 panels glass sliding door tucked between the fridge and the wall. When there's cooking to be done, the glass doors will be pulled out to join the storage cabinet on the other side, to block the fumes from entering the living room.

When I initially thought of partitioning off the kitchen area (as we are quite heavy cookers), I tried to find similar ideas in RT but couldn't. Thought I might be the only crazy one for wanting to create such a partition. Hahaha! Glad someone else thought of the same thing too!

Hmm any reason for removing the access to balcony from bedroom, yoongf?

In the bedroom, a walkway to the balcony will require a clear corridor, which limits the imaginative use of the tight bedroom space.

If there is no access, then that corridor may be space to put a study table facing outwards/towards the corner?

Also, some ppl might like to line their balcony with plants, to create a mini forest. Having many access to the balcony limits the creativity. Just some emo thots, not really a hard recommendation.

Oh.. also, windowless toilets will really feel more comfy is there was a wall mounted fan inside.

In the bedroom, a walkway to the balcony will require a clear corridor, which limits the imaginative use of the tight bedroom space.

If there is no access, then that corridor may be space to put a study table facing outwards/towards the corner?

Also, some ppl might like to line their balcony with plants, to create a mini forest. Having many access to the balcony limits the creativity. Just some emo thots, not really a hard recommendation.

Oh.. also, windowless toilets will really feel more comfy is there was a wall mounted fan inside.

These are really good advices! Especially the one about wall mounted fan.

But from what I can remember, I've only seen big and bulky wall mounted fans. Probably I have not kept myself updated in that area hahaha.

Any recommendation on where to start looking for nice and sleek wall mounted fans?

Hi Beejeebee,

I'm waiting for my keys too, should be some time end of this year. I have a similar layout with you except that mine is a 2 bedroom and it comes with a bomb shelter. Still its only 646sf.... really small. Looking forward to see how u doing up yours.

UPDATE:

We have chosen the laminates!!

First selection was done on Friday but after mulling over it through the night, we decided to change some choices on Sunday.

Below are some of our choices!

Stone feel:

Cement screed:

Blackboard:

Grey fabric like, for the platform bed:

These are some of the more unique ones. The rest are mostly glossy/matt white and black laminates.

There are sooooo many choices, I was getting cross-eyed.

Now I can't wait to see the 3D drawings!

Hi Beejeebee,

I'm waiting for my keys too, should be some time end of this year. I have a similar layout with you except that mine is a 2 bedroom and it comes with a bomb shelter. Still its only 646sf.... really small. Looking forward to see how u doing up yours.

Hi Caffreys!

Yup, nowadays the layouts and floor plans are pretty standard.

Any idea how you are going to design yours?

UPDATE:

We have chosen the laminates!!

Cement screed:

May I know what brand is this cement screed laminate?

Edited March 4, 201313 yr by bleucheeze