Phew! Quite a few things to consider when doing up your first place huh? Take these into consideration, at least you won’t make some of the mistakes we have? ;)

Spacing

Kitchen

Some points from an article called “Interior Kitchen Design Ideas For First Time Home Buyers”, it reflects everything I think you should consider for the kitchen.

  • Is there enough kitchen cabinet space?
  • Does the refrigerator, hob/oven and sink have a practical triangular layout?
  • Is there enough room for a table large enough to seat your family?
  • Is there enough work counter space?

(article here)

  • Are you considering doing lots of heavy cooking? If so, open plan kitchens leading into living area may not be the best idea for you (this point is mine).

 

(Pic from betterlivingthroughdesign.com)

 

Bathroom

  • Is your sink/ counter height suitable for you? Everyone staying with you? (Thanks Min for the tip)
  • Is your sink big/ small enough? make sure you have enough space between sink and wall so you can move.
  • Is there 1 inch space between back of the W/C and the wall? (Plumbing purposes).
  • Is your W/C close enough to your sink?
  • Is you W/C far enough from your shower? You don’t want a constantly wet W/C right?
  • Is your W/C too close to the door? Wall? Make sure you have room to maneuver.
  • Is your mirror big enough? Is the height correct for you?
  • Do you have enough cabinets that are off the floor? Built-ins better. (Unless if you want your toilet rolls and intimate stuff on show, and if you want to replace cabinets every couple of years due to the amount of water getting on them when cleaning bathroom.)
  • Where’s your towel rack going? Shampoo rack? Tissue holder?Bidet? (You’d be surprised bout the details we leave out only to realize later)
  • Small bathroom? No problem! Here are some ideas for you.

 

(Pic from theluxhome.com)

 

Electrical Points

  • More is more! Whoever finds electrical points of no use, right?
  • Make sure you have more than enough in all the spaces you require them before laying on paint/ plaster/ wallpaper etc. eg. I had to have this ugly casing, with wires inside dragged from one wall thru the ceiling onto another wall cuz I really needed points on the other side!
  • Make sure you assess your rooms CAREFULLY before built-ins! Eg. I thought I was so smart – I fixed a fold out ironing board in my built in wardrobe on wall next to entrance. After they were done building my wardrobe, I found the point at the END of the room, hidden inside my last module of the wardrobe … basically UNREACHABLE.
  • Kitchen: Many points are great, but make sure they are at least 30cm away from your sink and hob (most sites that have regulations seems to say this). Better safe than sorry.
  • Bathroom: Make sure outlets are wall mounted, preferably away from shower/ bathtub area. NEVER stretch cords across your bathroom to use your hairdryer!
  • Make sure your switches are where they’re supposed to be! My contractor put my aircond switch AND light switch OUTSIDE my 2nd room! Who does that?! eg. An additional switch for your main bedroom light right next to where your bed is may be a good idea too.

 

(Pic from dezeen.com)

 

Lighting

  • Kitchen and bathroom illumination is of utmost importance! I hate it when I can’t see what I’m doing, don’t you?
  • Bathroom: lots of natural light would be great if your pad allows that.
  • Bedroom: Besides your main ceiling/ pendant lights, consider getting bedside lamps – so you can have mood lighting, or for reading. AND also so you don’t have to get up and switch off the main light after relaxing with a good book before nodding off.
  • A friend suggested that you choose decorative lights (eg. chandelier, something massive) last when the place has almost 100% come together. She bought the light for her dining area first, now it doesn’t go with the rest of the furniture.
  • Concealed lighting is chic and useful – whether it be above your desk, kitchen counter, sink counter, around your plaster ceiling etc.
  • Be sure you keep a supply of extra bulbs.
  • I found this article very useful! Don’t be lazy and use ONE source of light! Learn about layering here.

 

(Pic from designboom.com)

 

Storage

  • Do you like to collect things (from travels for eg.) and showcase them? Or are you a neat clutter-free freak?
  • Consider concealed storage. I think that’s genius! My friends ALL think it’s genius! Creates the illusion of space, AND stores your stuff!
  • If you’re not considering staying at this particular place for long, then maybe loose storage is better than built-ins (way more expensive).
  • I wrote about organizing your kitchen the affordable way here.
  • If these people can fit everything into 500 sq ft, so can you! Check that out here.
  • Hidden storage under bed? Why not? Wrote about that here.
  • Get creative with crates and boxes and let’s go GREEN! That’s here.
  • Small space? I’ve got smart shelves for you here.
  • Jade wrote about creative sustainable shelving here.

 

(Pic from homeinspirationdesign.com)

 

FINALLY I think I’d considered all things for you!

If not, please feel free to comment!

Now have FUN and make your 1st place the best it can be to reflect YOU!