Singapore Family Transforms Service Yard Into Cozy Bedroom
Creative Space Solutions Address Rising Housing Density
A young woman in Singapore has gained viral attention for converting a tiny service yard into a personal bedroom, highlighting the innovative solutions families are employing to maximize space in the city-state’s increasingly dense housing landscape.
A Long-Awaited Private Space
For 24-year-old Sasha Marie Shelley, sharing a bedroom with her sister for her entire life meant a lack of personal space. “I’ve shared a bedroom with my sister for 24 years. We have always been pretty close and still are,” she explained. However, differing lifestyles—Shelley’s early work schedule as a youth speaker versus her 30-year-old sister, an artist who works late—created a need for separation.
The family’s new Build-To-Order flat in Punggol, while similar in size (742 sq ft) to their previous home in Toa Payoh, presented the same challenge: only two bedrooms. Shelley initially considered using the bomb shelter, but quickly realized the restrictions involved.
Creative Design and Problem-Solving
Fortunately, her mother’s plans for a home office in the service yard were abandoned, opening up the possibility of converting it into a bedroom. The space, measuring just 1.4m by 2.56m, required extensive planning and resourcefulness. Shelley drew inspiration from online platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube, even finding motivation from a South Korean woman living in a 75 sq ft apartment.
Initial improvements included installing a window with privacy film and a small fan-light. The family also integrated the washing machine and dryer into the kitchen layout to free up space. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, 80% of Singaporean households live in HDB flats, making efficient space utilization a common concern. Source: Singapore Department of Statistics (2024)
A Tight Fit, But Worth It
Shelley’s vision centered around an Ikea loft bed with a desk and storage. Despite skepticism from family and delivery personnel, she persisted. “No one believed it would fit in the room – not my family and not even the delivery guys,” she admitted. She had to remove the bed’s wardrobe doors to make it fit, but the desk, shelves, and drawers remained functional.
“My favourite feature of my bedroom is my little prayer space, which is at one corner of my desk and marked out by a piece of fabric. I’m usually on the go and busy with life, but it is comforting to be able to sit at that space for a few minutes to say a quick prayer in the morning, or before I head up to the top bunk to retire for the night.”
—Sasha Marie Shelley, Youth Speaker
Challenges and Compromises
The converted bedroom isn’t without its drawbacks. The kitchen’s proximity means cooking smells sometimes drift in, and pipes above the bed create a constant, though soothing, “ASMR vibe.” The lack of air conditioning is also a concern, as Shelley is prone to rashes from sweating.
Despite these challenges, Shelley is thrilled with her private space. “It’s so nice to have my own personal space for the first time in my life, which I can style and maintain according to my preferences.” Her sister, Talya Jane, agrees, describing the room as “comfortable and cosy.”
Ruby Tan-Shelley, Shelley’s mother, expressed pride in her daughter’s ingenuity. “I’m proud and happy to see how she has made such a small space work for her.” Her father, Michael Shelley, is an entrepreneur.
While social media reactions have been mixed, with some questioning why the family didn’t simply purchase a larger home, Shelley has received numerous messages requesting details about her design choices. She is content with her snug sanctuary, a testament to creativity and resourcefulness in a space-constrained world.
