Studies show that looking at greenery helps with productivity and prevents fatigue. If you don’t have a window view, there is always the option of displaying some green plants on or around your desk for a green ‘micro-break’.

When selecting a plant for your workspace, choose options that are easy-to-care for and don’t take up too much space. Listed below are some plants you can consider incorporating for your HDB home office.

1. Indoor Succulents

Succulents that tolerate indoor conditions are a good way to liven up the surroundings without extensive maintenance. However, not all succulents are a good fit for indoor growing conditions. Many brightly colored varieties require more sun and can fade or stretch if kept indoors. So, choose the green varieties that tend to do well with the lowest light levels, especially if your home office lacks natural light.

2. Snake Plant

Sansevieria trifasciata (also known as the Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue) is one of the most popular and hardy species of houseplants. They are easy to grow and nearly indestructible – they can thrive in very bright light and almost dark corners of the house. Sansevieria can remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air, and help purify the air.

3. Dracaena

If you prefer a leafier plant, the Dracaena is a good choice. The sturdy plant comes in different variants, but they mostly feature dark green leaves which are soothing to look at. Its relentless root system makes it difficult to wilt, and the plant can also survive in drought-like conditions, making it the perfect starter plant for indoor gardens.

4. African Violets

With their wide variety of colours, the African Violet livens up any workspace. Their low-maintenance levels and ability to grow well in moderate temperature, make them popular houseplants. However, as these plants do not do too well in high humidity, be sure to water them from the bottom, to avoid excess water on leaves that may result in leaf rot.

5. Cactus

When all else fails, there is the trusty cactus. Just be sure to keep the prickly plants where no one is likely to be reaching across your desk. The cacti plant actually thrives on neglect. It can contain a huge amount of water, enabling the plant to withstand even the most forgetful worker. Cacti prefer higher light levels, so if you are lucky enough to have a window desk, they will thrive.

When selecting any greenery for your workspace, review the care requirements carefully before making that decision. Enjoy your fresh looking workspace!

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Designing a nursery for your HDB flat before a baby’s arrival often sends a ripple of excitement around the house. As with any renovation journey, it’s common to trawl social media for design ideas and inspiration before carting out truckloads of items in the hopes of creating the “perfect” space — the kind that appears at the top of your Instagram’s Explore page.

What’s important though, is that the nursery must withstand many months of hard use. Here, a new mother shares practical design ideas and tips for a room that are both aesthetic and functional.

1. Take Baby Steps

The first tip is to leave enough time to plan and furnish your nursery. Often, you may be stuck deciding on the design idea (forest wonderland or boho chic?) and put off outfitting the room until it’s too late. Instead, start by thinking about your big, ‘must-have’ items (like a baby cot, storage for baby clothes, a nursing chair or even an adult bed for co-rooming) and plan your room layout around these items. Decorating the room is easy and can come later with minimal effort.

2. Watch Them Grow

The second design idea is to pick items that have longevity and can grow with baby. It’s an incredible feeling watching your newborn grow into a crawling bub and an active toddler – the flip side is they’ll outgrow the things in their nursery in no time. Having multi-functional furniture, like cots that can switch to toddler beds and diaper drawer bins that can turn into future toy storage, means you won’t have to overhaul your nursery with each of your child’s milestones.

3. A Place for Everything

Third design idea: smart storage and organisation are essential. Baby items are often numerous and small so the last thing you want is for clutter to overrun the space. Consider a mobile diaper changing station that keeps everything you need within reach. Store baby linen in stackable boxes that take up less space than a bulky dresser, and store odd items in transparent over-the-door pocket organisers.

4. Colour Therapy

Lastly, your nursery wall colours should promote a soothing environment for your little one, with some stimuli like patterns or bright colours to promote learning. Research has shown that bright yellows can overstimulate babies while dark colours can make the room look too gloomy. For convenience, you can opt for washable wallpapers or wall stickers instead of a fresh paint job. In addition, framed art prints or handcrafted ornaments can easily and instantly enliven a space.

Nothing quite beats a relaxing hot shower after a hectic day, and a well-designed bathroom can definitely add to the experience. Below are some bathroom makeover suggestions for every budget.

For the Budget Conscious

Not only is it stylishly timeless, the minimalist theme also invokes a feeling of calm. More importantly, you can achieve this without extensive hacking, tiling and plumping works, which means cost savings.

Photo Credit: 365 Design

Working with the bathroom fittings that come with your flat can cut costs. Additionally, opt for off-the-shelf fixtures such as mirrors and vanity units instead of customised carpentry to save on the bill!

Off-the-shelf bathroom mirrors and vanity cabinets, some of which come with wash basins and taps, are readily available in the market

Photo Credit: IKEA

Imbue the space with your personality by decorating with quirky ornaments from your previous travels or paintings from art jamming sessions. Adding a dash of green with potted plants can also make the space come alive. This works particularly well in a predominately white bathroom.

For Those Willing to Spend A Little

It might cost more but changing the bathroom tiling can bump its aesthetic up to the next level. No matter your design theme, a bathroom could benefit from interesting tiling. Looking for a luxury look? Faux marble tiles will give you that much-needed sophistication. Making a bold statement? Some octagon tiles will do the trick.

Together with some customised furnishes, the overall look will definitely leave your guests (and yourself) impressed.

Off-the-shelf bathroom mirrors and vanity cabinets, some of which come with wash basins and taps, are readily available in the market

Photo Credit: Pinterest

For Splurge-Ready

Photo Credit: saniquo.com.sg

If you’re looking for the ultimate bathroom, consider including a bath tub (yes, it’s possible!) for that ultra-luxurious experience in your very own HDB flat. This however, requires good planning to maximise space in your bathroom. Here are some HDB guidelines on installing a bathtub to help you get started:

1. Bathtubs must be installed within the bathroom area, and no extension is allowed.
2. There must be a void beneath the bathtub, and the void area cannot be filled with cement mortar or other materials.
3. There should be an inspection opening for future maintenance.
4. Weep holes must be provided.
5. The floor slab and waterproof layer must not be tampered with, to prevent leakage to the lower floor.

Be sure to also check out other HDBguidelines on bathroom renovation at HDB InfoWEB, and discuss your plan early with your designer or contractor to ensure a smooth renovation journey.

A space-saving soak tub still allows your body to be fully immersed

Photo Credit: vintagetub.com

#Protip:

Consider getting a smaller-sized bathtub or even a soak tub. While soak tubs are deeper and shorter than conventional bathtubs, they require less space while still giving you the five-star-hotel experience.

Now that you have heard from us, do share with us any other money-saving tips or ideas to add that oomph to your bathroom design.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg