Check out this spacious combined flat and its cafe-inspired design. Best of all, it has several creative and useful nooks that serve every member of this big family. Sona Decor Singapore finds out how the homeowner managed to get units next to each other too.
When Maurice Teo and Doris Tay, both 46, were looking to upgrade their home in size to fit their family of seven, they started shopping for jumbo HDB flats. Their 1,200 sq ft (or 111 sqm), 3-bedroom condo apartment was getting too small to fit the needs of the couple, grandma, their helper and three active kids aged 13, 12 and 10 years old.
Need a Bigger House in West Coast
“We wanted to be in the West Coast area because it was near to my in-laws and our work place,” explains Doris. As their priority was more space, in a good location, this flat, which is conveniently located to shops and eateries, met all their needs.
Jumbo HDB Flat Floor Plan
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Jumbo HDB Price: $750,000 for 6-room flat
In 2019, the couple paid just $750,000 for this very roomy 1,679 sq ft (155 sqm) flat built in 1980. It was created by the previous owner by combining a corner 3-room flat with the regular-sized 3-room flat next to it. “This combined flat is by far the biggest unit within our budget.”
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Downgraded Condo to HDB for Retirement Planning
Another reason why the couple downgraded from a condo to an HDB flat was because they wanted to cut down on their liabilities, so that they could retire at a younger age. The couple is on track to paying off the unit within 10 years of their purchase, as they hope to retire by 2030.
“If we had bought a private condo unit, even at a very old development, something of this size would cost at least two million dollars,” says Maurice.
Previous Homeowner: Rented out 1, Stayed in 1
When the couple first viewed the house, it was still functioning as two separate units with an adjoining door. The seller had rented out the bigger corner unit.
In December 2019, the couple started renovations – and then COVID-19 hit and slowed down their progress. They only managed to move into their new home in August 2020.
However, the silver lining is the couple feels that they executed their ‘early retirement’ plan at the right time. “Otherwise, if we buy and renovate now, property and reno prices would have all gone up.”
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Renovation Cost: $140,000
The 43-year-old flat was gutted to the tune of $140,000, excluding white goods. The couple kept the original common bedroom in the 3-room flat, a corner unit. It is now used by their helper. Grandma got the master room. Both doors, which were facing door-to-door originally, were changed to face the living room.
Fits A Family of 7
The old layout had a spacious living space in between the bedrooms. The couple ‘walled’ it up with full-height glass panels, to create a big bedroom for their two daughters and a son. Eventually, when the time comes, their son would move into the common bedroom; the girls would take over grandma’s master room, and their current bedroom will become a study room.
Over at the other ‘regular’ 3-roomed flat, the couple expanded their master room to accommodate more wardrobe space as well as a home office, which came in especially handy when they had to work from home during the pandemic.
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Clever touches, such as using minimal built-in furniture, allow them to move things around easily to suit changing needs. Their rectangular dining table fits eight people comfortably. Little nooks, such as the two bar tables and four bar stools, are created to double up as a study corner or a breakfast counter.
The day Home & Decor visited, their kids and cousins were spread out at the living room, dining table and the breakfast counter, all engrossed in an online gaming battle.
For a spell, the couple even had a pool table in their living room, but they eventually sold that in favour of more seating in the living room. They also have the luxury of space to include a cosy foyer area, where they keep their shoes.
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Two Living Rooms Merged
The wall between the two living rooms were knocked down. The result is an enviably large living space which is perfect for the hospitable couple.
“This is a lesson we learned from our previous home. Our condo unit happened to be on same floor as the roof garden so our family parties often spilled out to the garden,” explains Doris about why they wanted a large living space.
“We like to host parties so this big space makes it easier and encourages us to host more,” says Maurice. “We’re like a community centre. My niece and nephews have access to door code and just appear in the house as they like,” laughs Doris.
They even have a corner for a second TV where kids can watch their programmes while the adults enjoy karaoke at the main TV, during their big parties.