Size does/n't matter?

Living tiny does not mean living small.

It is about the management of your space/s.

Below are the floor-plans of some 2 room and 3 room flats, and you'll realize some patterns emerging. Reminder that these are the copyright of Property Guru.com once again. If you like something here, call them.

This is a 2-room Toa Payoh flat which comes with a Balcony area. There is only ONE toilet/bath in the flat, which is very narrow, with the sewerage pipes protruding into the shower space too, making it obstructive. Definitely cannot fit in a bathtub, not even a soak tub!

This is of a 2-Room First Floor unit in Pasir Ris. This is RARE! as almost all Pasir Ris flats are 4 Room and above, except for recent build blocks which have yet to MOP. Ground floor units usually have higher ceilings too, I think. 1 toilet/bath

This is a 2-room flat in Fernvale Road. It has a Jack n Jill (Dual Entry) Toilet/Bath. The kitchen wall doesn't seem to be a structural wall, so it may be hacked to create an open concept kitchen. It has Bay Windows in the Living Rm.

This is a 3-room in Bedok North. Many 3-room flats in Tampines have this same design. This is the front on door design. The storeroom can be converted to a study or walk-in wardrobe, and placed in between the bedrooms, is ideal to be used to extend either rooms too. Or a mini sleep alcove, like I saw in a house. Just add an air-con on top. The living room flows into the kitchen, making it perfect for an open concept kitchen. 1 split toilet/bath.

This is a 3-room flat in Tampines, which has the bedrooms at a perpendicular angle to each other, which creates a special hallway. The store can again be converted into a walk-in for the common room, or extend the size of the common room. An open concept kitchen would be impossible? in this layout if that is high on your wish list. The front door faces a wall, which allows some privacy. The unit is also raised from the corridor, giving you more privacy. 2 toilet/baths.

This is another popular 3-Room Tampines flat design. Again, the raised unit from the corridor and front door facing sideways affords privacy. However, the storeroom creates a blockage between the living room and kitchen, which would cost twice as much to hack if it was between bedrooms. Consider making it into a dining nook, or use it just as for what it is, to store things. Difficult to dream of an open-concept kitchen again. But now, you can create a huge bedroom by demolishing the wall between the two bedrooms. Most Tampines flats also have en-suite bath/shower and two of those, you would have noticed by now.

And this is the lateral flip of that, also a 3-Rm Tampines design. Love the toilet space!

Now we're going to look at the Toa Payoh series...
 This is a 3I model 3 Room flat in Toa Payoh, Blk 96, Lorong 3. Notice how the addition of a utility space in the Main Upgrading Programme is highly utilitarian as  that is about another 6sqm of space. Of course this layout has a smaller kitchen space.

This is a 3-room Toa Payoh unit, after the addition of a utility room. Front door faces the main living area, and the unit isn't elevated from the corridor. You can create a design wall or feature to give some aesthetic and privacy at the entryway. Again, split bath/toilet, both at the back of the kitchen. Sink, kitchen cabinet, cooker hob and toilet/bath all along same wall. You can certainly have your open-concept kitchen here.

This is a 3-room in Kim Keat which is in the Toa Payoh area. Note that the toilet/shower is split, and there is only one in the entire flat. The kitchen appliances would be on an opposite wall from the toilet/shower. Also note the addition of a utility room at the back with lots of windows means it is breezier, and is considerable addition of space. A good alternative bedroom as they have a door too, unless owner removed it.

 This is a 3-Rm Fernvale Road. Introducing the newer designs of flats with a passageway to the bedrooms, and the bath/toilet not located in the kitchen. The bomb shelter cannot be hacked, and is positioned such that it works best as that - a storage room. If the door was facing the kitchen, at least I can use it as a larder - you need to eat while taking shelter, right? This particular design is very squarish. Baywindow in the living room. Kitchen is open, but not much of a concept. 2 toilet/baths.

This is a 3-room Toa Payoh unit, before the utility room is added. Front door faces sideways, but unit isn't elevated as much from the corridor as in Tampines. There is a split bath/toilet, both at the back of the kitchen. You can definitely have your open-concept kitchen here.

And just for comparison sake, some 4 rooms too. 

This is a 4-room in Edgedale Plains. I like the dual entry triangular kitchen, and the long living room. This is called the arrow head design for obvious reasons. This flat has potential for renting by erecting a partition/wall/gate at the back where the hallway to the bedrooms begin. Very interesting pentagon design, but the second bedroom can be used as a sitting room.

Now this is a 4-room Fernvale Lane design. EXCELLENT for rental income. The left could be your space, and you can rent out both rooms on the right. With a bath/toilet just between them, you won't need to worry about sharing yours with theirs. No dreams of open-concept kitchen though it has a condo like layout.

This is a 4-room Punggol flat design. The bomb-shelter can be used as a larder, and you can have your open-concept kitchen to some extent. The living room is nice and long, but the front door looks head on. There is a hallway to the bedrooms so if you're renting, it'll be another shared space with the tenants. The common toilet/bath seems to be bigger, but it could be the drawing. The digits are too tiny to investigate. Lastly, the rooms are longish, but still tiny compared to older builds.

Floor plans are important when you ask for quotes or meet your ID/contractor.


Floor plans give you an idea of which are the structural features, what you can adapt, and if the store room can be converted.
I've seen many make the store-room into a walk-in wardrobe or study, by hacking or extending its walls. If it is right next to a bedroom, and is not a bomb shelter, it allows for this perfectly.

Many older builds like 3Is actually have split toilet and shower. Depends on whether you like them like that, or joined together. I like them adjoined.

Floor plans help you to visualise your deco and furniture too.

& floor plans help you to decide whether that bathtub is even going to fit in that space.

Remember you can purchase floorplans from HDB at a nominal fee, but I've not tried it yet.