Fun Houzz: 10 Facts About Singapore Homeowners
Which room are we Singaporeans happiest in? What decor style do we like? Read on to find out!
Chiquit Brammall
16 May 2017
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
Your home – whether you are buying or renovating – is a major investment, so you like to be well-informed about every little detail before you make any money-related decisions. For an international community like Houzz to be well-informed, we conduct surveys every year. As we gather data from our bathroom survey amongst Singapore Houzzers this season, we look back at our pre-launch research, and let you in on some fun facts we learnt:
We don’t renovate as often as home interiors magazines think we do
Approximately 50% of Singapore homeowners surveyed renovate around every six years. That’s basically at specific stages in our lives – as newlyweds, as new parents, when our first child enters primary school, when our first child becomes a teenager, etc.
The shocker? Twenty-three percent have never renovated. Really?
Approximately 50% of Singapore homeowners surveyed renovate around every six years. That’s basically at specific stages in our lives – as newlyweds, as new parents, when our first child enters primary school, when our first child becomes a teenager, etc.
The shocker? Twenty-three percent have never renovated. Really?
We like freshening up the look and feel of our homes, no reno required
According to our survey, 73% decorate at least once a year. That makes sense, considering some will freshen up their decor for Chinese New Year, some will do so for Hari Raya or Deepavali, and some will redecorate for a new year or schoolyear.
According to our survey, 73% decorate at least once a year. That makes sense, considering some will freshen up their decor for Chinese New Year, some will do so for Hari Raya or Deepavali, and some will redecorate for a new year or schoolyear.
We like a sophisticated, urban style
Forty-two percent of Singapore homeowners like a Contemporary look for their home; 36% prefer modern, and only 18% will go for something Asian-inspired.
Not sure about the difference between Contemporary and Modern?
Forty-two percent of Singapore homeowners like a Contemporary look for their home; 36% prefer modern, and only 18% will go for something Asian-inspired.
Not sure about the difference between Contemporary and Modern?
Our living rooms are our prime real estate
Singapore homeowners are happiest with their living rooms (42% of those surveyed), followed by master bedroom (20%) then kitchen (10%).
They’re least satisfied with their bathrooms and gardens. Maybe because we can’t control much of how our bathrooms are designed … and majority of us don’t have gardens.
Singapore homeowners are happiest with their living rooms (42% of those surveyed), followed by master bedroom (20%) then kitchen (10%).
They’re least satisfied with their bathrooms and gardens. Maybe because we can’t control much of how our bathrooms are designed … and majority of us don’t have gardens.
We’re high-tech viewers (of course we are … or does this mean we are also couch potatoes?)
Of the Singapore homeowners surveyed, 59% said they have a smart TV in their living area.
Meanwhile, 18% of Singapore homeowners are some level of audiophile, having an integrated sound system.
Of the Singapore homeowners surveyed, 59% said they have a smart TV in their living area.
Meanwhile, 18% of Singapore homeowners are some level of audiophile, having an integrated sound system.
We actually cook now more than we eat out
Maybe it’s because we prefer to eat more healthily than the usual hawker fare (after all, you can only have too much char kway teow in a week). Over a third of those surveyed cook more than 80% of their meals at home. Well done, Singapore.
Maybe it’s because we prefer to eat more healthily than the usual hawker fare (after all, you can only have too much char kway teow in a week). Over a third of those surveyed cook more than 80% of their meals at home. Well done, Singapore.
We love our wok hei
Seventy-four percent prefer gas hobs over induction cooktops.
(Even the chefs I interviewed in my past life as a food magazine editor say that you can never achieve that high heat required for the wok hei flavour on an induction hob. Ever the foodies, Singaporeans know this for a fact!)
Seventy-four percent prefer gas hobs over induction cooktops.
(Even the chefs I interviewed in my past life as a food magazine editor say that you can never achieve that high heat required for the wok hei flavour on an induction hob. Ever the foodies, Singaporeans know this for a fact!)
Some Singapore homeowners still have a wet room
Ok, only 6% of those surveyed, to be precise. A wet room is a bathroom with no threshold (curb) between the shower and toilet and/or washbasin. Some HDB common bathrooms are originally made this way. We don’t like wet floors, though, so majority of us ask for shower enclosures.
Thirty-nine percent of Singapore homeowners have a walk-in shower, while 31% have a shower-bathtub.
Ok, only 6% of those surveyed, to be precise. A wet room is a bathroom with no threshold (curb) between the shower and toilet and/or washbasin. Some HDB common bathrooms are originally made this way. We don’t like wet floors, though, so majority of us ask for shower enclosures.
Thirty-nine percent of Singapore homeowners have a walk-in shower, while 31% have a shower-bathtub.
We’re focusing on the bedroom
In terms of a makeover, that is: one in five homeowners are planning a bedroom redesign this year.
Expert tips on getting that hotel look in your bedroom
In terms of a makeover, that is: one in five homeowners are planning a bedroom redesign this year.
Expert tips on getting that hotel look in your bedroom
We’re dreaming about…
A penthouse is Singapore’s most popular choice (21%) for dream homes, followed by an island retreat (13%). Eleven percent say they are already living in their dream home. Yay!
TELL US
Do you agree with our survey results? Let us know your views in the Comments section.
A penthouse is Singapore’s most popular choice (21%) for dream homes, followed by an island retreat (13%). Eleven percent say they are already living in their dream home. Yay!
TELL US
Do you agree with our survey results? Let us know your views in the Comments section.
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Great insight ... Thank you Chiquit. I especially find the findings on the bathrooms interesting and i share those sentiments as well. Not much that we can do with the layout for our clients. I wonder if authorities in Singapore have access to your survey? They certainly could learn and improve on their bathroom layouts.