HOME TOUR

When planning our BTO renovation, I found the options regarding the OCS (Owner’s Confirmation Scheme) particularly interesting. Opting out of OCS meant we had more freedom to select our own contractors and customize our home, but it also required more hands-on involvement from us. One aspect that caught my attention was the placement of the HDB riser and DB box, which are critical components for utilities but can be challenging to design around. Our flat’s layout, about 47 sqm, is similar to many modern two-room HDB units, and we focused on maximizing space without compromising aesthetics. The kitchen and service yard are functional yet compact, so we chose to place essential appliances and storage strategically to enhance usability. The empty nest concept allowed for a fresh start with tailored preferences, like skipping sanitary ware in the common toilet initially to keep renovation flexible. Our experience with Yishun Grove Spring and other BTO packages has shown me the importance of understanding the construction and renovation phases. Touring other gorgeous BTO homes helped inspire design choices and smart solutions for challenges like odd drain placements. Overall, furnishing a BTO home is a journey of balancing practicality and style, and sharing this personal home tour can hopefully help others make informed decisions.