David - Thanks! Appreciate that you even drew out the plan. :) You are absolutely right, it's been difficult finding an optimum layout. In fact, our current layout is more or less the same as your plan. Would you have chosen different furniture - a smaller sofa or a different dining table perhaps? (Also, I'm curious: is there a good reason why the architect had the pillar like that?) Mona - Do you mean having a buffet at the entry? I currently do have a sideboard, though it wouldn't fit at the entry - it's about 67" wide by 18" deep. It's currently placed in the middle of the long wall. There's actually still sufficient clearance between it and the 3-seater sofa in David's plan. plague - The household shelter is a local (Singapore) building requirement. Its walls are reinforced and is meant to be a shelter in times of emergency. It can't be removed, and any renovations carried out cannot affect its integrity (there is a list of permitted and prohibited works). Normally it is just used as a pantry or storeroom.

Have you tried browsing around the Modern/Contemporary photos of kitchens? I think you can find some pretty good ideas from there: https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105 https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103

Hi Ibrahim29 Md, some ideas here. This home styled by Boconcept responded to the client's request to turn the living room into a reading corner: https://www.houzz.com.sg/projects/1385019/kate-jin-and-juliens-home and in this project, the service yard seems to harmonise well with the kitchen, even though divided by a screen: I'll leave it to the experts to give more comments!

Hi Happy CNY! some rough sketch with my phone... Need to modify some walls. BR 2/3 closet best in between the rooms. Your daugter room, bed facing the window with study desk behind. The boys room will a custom double deck, youngest sleep below, 2 older ones on top. near the window will have the study desk under. At Master, 2 closet at entry, dresser, bed facing window, writing desk. Kitchen fridge, cook, sink well located, wash by window, shoe cabinet at entrance, Dining have L- banquet seat to maximize space , Living tv at wall, sofa at window, armchair, carpet rug, console table - these are just my ideas and I know it can be better, hope this starts your journey to your wonderful home