5 Things Every Bachelor(ette) Pad Needs, Renters and Homeowners Alike

Living solo right.

Whether you’re renting an apartment or renovating a home that you’ve just purchased, having your own space is pretty exciting. No need to cater to someone else’s whims or lifestyles – after all, it’s your space, and you (quite literally) live only by your own rules.

But don’t let the prospect of freedom distract you, because some careful planning is still needed to ensure that your space truly works for you and your lifestyle. Here are some of the main things you need to keep in mind!

1. Ample amounts of storage

Sure, you’ll be living by yourself, but don’t underestimate the amount of storage you’ll need – because remember, you’ll still need the same things as a household with multiple people.

Aside from things like clothes and kitchen appliances, you’ll also need room for the more mundane things like cleaning equipment, bathroom supplies, and more.

Carving out storage space will become especially important if you’re living in a tiny home – like, say, a 2-room flexi BTO flat or a 1-bedroom condo. To help you out, here’s something you can look at to help plan your space:

• Space-saving carpentry ideas like Murphy beds
• Bathroom storage ideas

For renters: You may not have the luxury of customising the built-ins in your home, but there are still ways to create additional storage space for yourself.

The easiest way is to take advantage of vertical height. Furniture like full-height cabinets and shelves, or those with built-in storage space (like storage beds and sofas) can go a long way in helping you create sufficient room for all your things.

2. Privacy features for safety reasons

While privacy needs aren’t exclusive to a bachelor/bachelorette, you probably don’t want any stranger to be able to look into your home and see that you’re living by yourself. It’s not just for safety reasons, but for your peace of mind as well!

A simple way to block prying eyes is to erect an entryway partition, which can be anything from reeded glass dividers to a full-height shoe cabinet. If you’re renting, consider getting room dividers and placing them in front of your entrance.

Other privacy features you should also consider getting are:

• Smart door locks with a built-in camera (not only for security reasons, but for convenience e.g. opening the door for a part-time helper)
• Blackout curtains or blinds
• Frosted or translucent window films

3. Multifunctional features and furniture to create multifunctional spaces

In a modern home, multifunctional spaces let you make full use of your home no matter the size or layout by keeping things flexible. This is especially important for those living in smaller homes, as they may not have enough room to carve out distinct spaces (e.g. a separate dining room from your kitchen).

To that end, features that pull double duty will come in clutch. Examples you can consider include (but are not limited to):

• Extended TV console that also functions as seating
• Pull-out or flip-up dining tables that can be tucked away when there are no guests, or when you’re done with your meal
• Murphy beds

For renters: Rest assured, multifunctional furniture pieces that serve more than one purpose are becoming increasingly popular in the home and living world. Some pieces you can consider include:

• A sofa bed (for guests that may want to stay over for the night)
• Storage trolleys that you can move around to different spaces depending on your needs
• Study tables with a flip-up mirror and storage space, such that they can double up as a vanity

4. Features or appliances that save time and money

Part of living alone is figuring out how to live alone, because you don’t have a spouse or other family members to help out or split the chores with.

The key to that is sourcing for appliances or features that help you work smarter and not harder – or, in other words, minimise the effort required from a single occupant while also helping you save time and money.

Some ideas you can consider include:

• Jar openers – for the inevitable times you get stuck trying to open a tightly shut jar of sauce or honey.
• A fridge with a vacuum compartment: a feature that sucks the air out to keep the food fresh. Great for homeowners who cook in bulk, as this will prevent your food from spoiling overly quickly.
• A 2-in-1 wet-and-dry vacuum that lets you mop and vacuum at the same time.
• A washer-dryer that allows you to wash and dry your clothes within the same machine.

5. Decorative features that show off your personality

Last but not least is the fun part: things that scream you. After all, you’re the only person living in this home, and you’ve got full control over your home’s design – so take this chance to truly show off your personality and lifestyle.

For homeowners, you’ve got more freedom to experiment with major aspects of your renovation; things like colour schemes, carpentry designs, land layout changes can be entirely designed to your liking.

To get an idea of the things you can do with your home, these cool bachelor/bachelorette pad ideas are a great starting point. Others like yourself have built their wardrobes along the corridor of their homes or merged their bathrooms into one big one, just to name a few!

You can also take a look at these design ideas:

• For collectors who want to display their items
• Gaming setups for the avid gamers
• For the luxury bag collector

If you’re a renter, there are still ways for you to personalise your space without needing to renovate your home. Renter-friendly ideas you can consider include:

• Temporary wallpaper that you can easily remove when your lease is up
• Soft furnishings like rugs and cushions
• Wall decor like artwork or neon lights

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