This Extrovert’s Singapore Apartment Has Fit 30 Guests (the Record So Far!)

published Sep 5, 2024

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Home Type

Location

Style

Bedrooms

Square feet

900

Sq ft

900

“My friend once quipped, ‘You live alone and have a two-meter-long dining table — this is obviously the home of an extrovert!'” begins Lynette Khoo, who’s owned this 900-square-foot apartment in Singapore for 12 years. “When I was apartment hunting, my must-haves were a balcony and enough space to host family and friends.”

Credit: Lynette Khoo

"I’m a pretty laid-back person, and that’s reflected in the vibe of the apartment, which is filled with furniture conducive to lounging! The backdrop is neutral and warm with pops of color in each room. I love seeing guests so comfortable in my home that they end up lying on the carpet, falling asleep on the sofa, or chilling quietly in the balcony staring out at the view," Lynette writes.

Lynette knew that whatever apartment she bought she would completely remodel, so the layout of the homes she was viewing weren’t important. “What I noticed when I first stepped into this apartment was being greeted by an unblocked view straight through the living area and out the balcony into the calming green outdoors,” she writes.

Credit: Lynette Khoo

"The balcony — as it was known during my ‘let’s force all my guests to hang out in the balcony’ phase — has nicely catered to one to six people at a time, from full dinner parties to brunches to wine and cheese nights. It has proven to be the most versatile space in the apartment, thanks to a custom-made sofa and foldable table, which tucks away perfectly into a little nook in the corner," Lynette writes. "I like being in nature or at least feeling close to it, so my windows and balcony doors are open throughout the day. The apartment is constantly filled with sounds of nature: chirping birds, rustling leaves, and trickling water from the pond below. I’ve been asked when taking work calls from home, whether I’m sitting somewhere in a forest!"

“The start of my renovation process typically involves erasing non-structural walls on floor plans. Starting there for this home, I could better envision the ideal layout that would best suit my lifestyle. The kitchen walls were removed to create an open-plan living/entertaining space. The kitchen was also enlarged by reducing the size of the guest room, increasing functional social space, and minimizing a room that would very occasionally house guests,” Lynette explains.

Credit: Lynette Khoo

"Don’t get sucked into copying social media trends that don’t make sense in your home, or you'll end up with seldom-used furniture and nooks that are difficult to maintain," Lynette advises. "For instance, many bedroom photos include a cozy armchair in a corner of the room. An armchair in my bedroom would spend its days being my interim laundry basket. Another one is open shelving in kitchens — with my regular cooking and balcony doors open throughout the day, I would end up displaying a collection of caked dust."

“The end result is an open space I can relax comfortably in, which transforms easily into an inviting party space for up to 30 guests (the record so far).”

Credit: Lynette Khoo

Resources

Dining room paint color — Benjamin Moore “Steep Cliff Gray”
Bedroom paint color — Benjamin Moore “White Sand”
Wicker sofa — Gamar Furniture
Foldable table — IKEA
Sofa — V Furniture
Ottoman — King Living
Dining table — Herman Furniture
Dining chairs — Casterly
Storage bed — Blafink
Light — IKEA
Bed and shelf — IKEA
Bathroom wallpaper — Etsy

Thanks, Lynette!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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